How To Make Whipped Cream Like Starbucks
Whether you’re eating it on top of your favorite dessert or sipping it from your favorite drink, whipped cream is delicious. And of all the different whipped cream brands and varieties out there, Starbucks whipped cream is one of the best. Luckily, you can make that same decadent cream at home.
To make whipped cream like Starbucks, all you need is heavy whipping cream. Chill the cream, pour it into a bowl, and whisk it with a handheld mixer on the high setting for one to two minutes. A whipped cream canister also works. To finish it off, add vanilla syrup.
Making Starbucks whipped cream is super simple, but I’ll take you step-by-step through the process to make it even easier for you. I’ll also teach you how to dispense and store your homemade whipped cream and answer a few other frequently asked questions about it.
How To Make Starbucks Whipped Cream
Making copycat Starbucks whipped cream is quick and straightforward as long as you have the right tools. You can make whipped cream in a blender, but that’s not the most convenient way to do it.
If you have a whipped cream dispenser/maker, like the Otis Classic Stainless Steel Whipped Cream Dispenser*, that’s the easiest way to make it.
Just don’t forget the 8-gram (0.28 ounce) N₂O (Nitrous Oxide) gas cartridges to make it work. I use Fomagas Whipped Cream Chargers unless another compatible brand is on sale. Both these items are from Amazon.com.
(*Note: According to Starbucks employees on Reddit and several collaborating websites, Starbucks uses the iSi Gourmet Whip Cream/Food Whipper from Amazon.com. In my experience, the Otis Classic works just as well.)
However, if you don’t have a dispenser or are out of N₂O cartridges, don’t worry; you can use a large mixing bowl and a handheld mixer to make your whipped cream instead.
I’ll explain how to use both of these tools in just a bit, but first, let’s find out what makes Starbucks whipped cream so much better than other options.
Why Does Starbucks Whipped Cream Taste Different?
One of the main reasons Starbucks whipped cream tastes so good is because it’s made fresh each day right there in the coffee shop.
Additionally, Starbucks uses a nitrous-powered whipped cream dispenser like the Otis Classic I mentioned earlier. Of course, you can make absolutely scrumptious whipped cream using a handheld mixer. Still, it will be fluffier and creamier if you make it in a dispenser.
Finally, the main reason Starbucks’ whipped cream tastes so different and so unique is because it’s not 100% whipped cream. They also add vanilla syrup to it. That gives it its light, sweet, vanilla flavor. Now, let’s look at all the ingredients.
What Are the Ingredients in Starbucks Whipped Cream?
Pull up any drink on the Starbucks menu that includes whipped cream, and you’ll see that there are only two simple ingredients in it: cream and vanilla syrup. The ingredients are broken down a little further on the website and look something like this:
- Cream: Cream, mono- and diglycerides, and carrageenan
- Vanilla syrup: Sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, citric acid
No matter how they break it down, though, their whipped cream is vanilla syrup and cream, and that’s all you need when you’re making it at home.
How To Make It
Now that we know what we need to make it, let’s go over the actual process using both the whipped cream canister and the handheld mixer and bowl methods.
How To Make It With a Whipped Cream Dispenser
Making whipped cream with a nitrous-powered whipped cream dispenser is by far the easiest way to do it.
- Just pour both ingredients (vanilla syrup and cream) into the dispenser.
- Screw the N₂O cartridge into place. You’ll be able to hear it as the cartridge releases the gas into the dispenser.
- Shake the can vigorously for several seconds.
- Remove the canister and screw the lid in place.
- Add your nozzle (if applicable), turn the dispenser upside-down, and dispense your whipped cream.
It’s that simple. The whole process takes mere moments.
If you’re still unsure how it works, check out this video:
The whipped cream dispenser in the video may not be the same brand as yours, but it should still work the same way.
How To Make It With a Handheld Mixer
To make whipped cream with a handheld mixer, follow these steps.
- Chill your pre-combined ingredients in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
- Add them to a relatively deep mixing bowl (so that you don’t make a mess).
- Whisk them with the mixer on the highest setting for about one to two minutes.
- Once the cream gets stiff and foamy, that’s when you know it’s done.
- Spoon it on top of your drink, dessert, or breakfast pastries.
What Kind of Syrup Should You Use?
You can use any vanilla syrup you like. Amazon.com sells several different brands. Of all of them, my favorite is DaVinci Gourmet Naturals Madagascar Vanilla Syrup. Of course, you could go for the most authentic copycat recipe and use Starbucks Naturally Flavored Vanilla Coffee Syrup.
Another option is to make your own simple vanilla syrup using this three-ingredient recipe. All you need is sugar, water, and vanilla extract. It’s just as easy to make as the whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before I bring this to a close, I’d also like to address some of the most frequently asked questions I get about Starbucks’ whipped cream. These are the ones I often hear.
How Do You Store Excess Cream?
To store excess cream, you can keep it in the refrigerator for a few days before it gets too runny to use. If you used a whipped cream dispenser to make it, stick the entire dispenser in the fridge.
Now, if you used a handheld mixer, transfer the whipped cream into a lidded bowl – clean, empty Cool Whip containers are perfect – before putting it in the refrigerator.
What Whipped Cream Does Starbucks Use?
Starbucks doesn’t use any particular brand of whipped cream. Instead, Starbucks makes its whipped cream fresh in the shop daily from a mixture of heavy cream and their signature vanilla syrup.
And now, luckily, you can too! With the steps given above, making copycat Starbucks whipped cream is almost as easy as going out and buying a specific brand would be. It’ll definitely save you a lot of time.
Is Whipped Cream Free at Starbucks?
According to a 2019 article on the NBC News website (and a friendly barista I know), whipped cream is always free at Starbucks. So whether you order extra whipped cream on a drink that already has it or ask for it on a drink that doesn’t usually come with it, there’s no charge.
Water, caramel drizzle, and a few other add-ons are also free of charge.
Fun fact: The next time you hit the local Starbucks with your furry best friend, ask for a puppuccino for him. It’s a small cup full of Starbucks’ whipped cream, and it’s 100% free. As long as it’s a rare treat, it should be safe for your pup, but check with your vet first if you have any reservations about it.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to sweet, creamy, silky smooth whipped cream, it’s tough to beat Starbucks’ whipped cream. Because they make it fresh each day and add a bit of vanilla syrup to it, it tastes different – and better! – than most other whipped cream brands you can buy.
With two simple ingredients – heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup – and the right tools, you can make copycat Starbucks whipped cream at home. That means you can enjoy this tasty treat any time you like.
