Have you wondered what makes Starbucks whipped cream so delicious and tempting? The perfectly swirled whipped cream on the top makes all of the Starbucks drinks irresistible for us. It is sweet, creamy, and makes the perfect sip. But, of course, no Starbucks drink is complete without it.
Many people worldwide are trying to figure out what whipped cream Starbucks uses in their drinks. The answer to this high-in-demand question is, they make it in-house. Honestly, their whipped cream recipe can be made easily at home with only two simple ingredients- heavy cream and vanilla syrup.
Isn’t it great that now you can easily make your favorite Starbucks drinks and desserts at home and top it with Starbucks-style whipped cream too?
How to Make Whipped Cream Like Starbucks?
Making whipped cream like Starbucks is easy as long as you have the right tools. Starbucks generally uses a whipped cream dispenser to make the creamy and fluffy whipped cream. However, you can also use a blender from an excellent company to make your own Starbucks-style whipped cream.
Making it with a whipped cream dispenser
The easiest way to make creamy and fluffy whipped cream at home is making it with the help of a nitrous-powdered whipped cream dispenser. To prepare your whipped cream at home, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:
- Pour both ingredients, vanilla syrup and cream, into the nitrous-powdered dispenser.
- Screw the nitrous oxide cartridge. As soon as you do it, you will be able to hear it as the cartridge will start releasing the gas into the dispenser.
- Shake the can well for a few seconds.
- Remove the canister and screw the lid in place immediately.
- Turn the dispenser upside down and dispense your freshly made whipped cream.
Making it with a handheld mixer
To make your whipped cream with the help of a handheld mixer, follow these steps:
- Mix vanilla syrup and cream in a bowl. Chill the mixture prepared in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the combined mixture of cream and vanilla syrup into a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk the mixture with the mixer at full speed for almost two minutes.
- Once the cream gets foamy and stiff, stop whisking it.
- Spoon it on the top of your favorite drink or dessert. Enjoy!
Downsides of Starbucks Whipped Cream
Starbucks whipped cream is a common ingredient in most of its drinks and desserts. However, many people are allergic to it and avoid it for various reasons. In addition, heavy whipped cream is very high in calories, so people using it daily can consume a significant number of excess calories.
Besides being high in calories, whipped cream also has high diary content. According to many reports, it is estimated that more than 65% of people worldwide are lactose intolerant and need to avoid heavy whipped cream in their drinks and desserts.
Dairy products often contribute to mucus production in many people, even those not allergic to dairy products. For example, a high intake of whipped cream will result in excessive mucus production, causing many health issues.
Daily intake of whipped cream can also put you at higher risk of developing certain types of cancer. For example, if you are a huge fan of Starbucks iced coffees and other drinks, then you are more likely to have stomach cancer in the future, as every drink and dessert of Starbucks is topped heavily with whipped cream.
Some of the possible long-term side effects of consuming whipped cream regularly are:
- Obesity and diabetes
- Heart diseases
- Excessive mucus production
- Difficulty in breathing
- Excessive coughing
- Certain types of cancer
For keeping every organ of your body safe from the harmful effects of whipped cream, it is necessary to cut whipped cream out of your diet. However, if you are lactose tolerant, you can use whipped cream in small amounts but not daily. Nevertheless, it will be a good part of your diet as it is also a high source of vitamins and proteins.
7 Best Substitutes for Starbucks Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is considered a staple ingredient in most Starbucks drinks and desserts. However, it may not suit everyone because whipped cream is high in fat and dairy content.
Does it mean you can no longer enjoy delicious Starbucks drinks topped with whipped cream? Fortunately, several alternatives to Starbucks whipped cream are available for substitution. You can use these best alternatives if you happen to be out of whipped cream while making your favorite Starbucks drink at home.
Milk and Butter
Combining butter and milk is undoubtedly one of the best substitutes for whipped cream that will work for most recipes. However, this is not a dairy-free option, but it works best if you are out of whipped cream and need it immediately for preparing your favorite Starbucks drink.
Procedure
- Combine ¼ cup of butter and ¾ cup of milk in a bowl.
- Mix it thoroughly with the help of an electric mixer until you achieve a thick consistency.
- Add flour (1 tbsp) to the butter and milk mixture to thicken the consistency if required.
Soy Milk and Olive Oil
If you want a vegan and dairy-free alternative to whipped cream, you must try mixing soy milk with a small amount of olive oil. Just like butter, olive oil will add fats to the soy milk for the creamy flavor.
Procedure
- Combine ⅔ cup of soy milk and ⅓ cup of olive oil in a bowl.
- Mix it thoroughly with the help of a handheld mixer until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spoon it over your favorite drink or dessert immediately.
Banana and Egg White
Try mixing banana with egg white for low fat and a dairy-free alternative of whipped cream. You can easily find these simple ingredients in your kitchen, and they will also taste as delicious as Starbucks whipped cream.
Procedure
- Combine one ripe banana with an egg white.
- Beat the banana and egg mixture at high speed until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Add sugar or honey to sweeten the creamy mixture if required.
- Add ¼ tablespoon of vanilla essence to reduce the banana flavor in the finished product.
Milk, Cornstarch, and Flour
For a low fat and low carb alternative to whipped cream, try mixing milk, cornstarch, and flour. However, this substitute may not go well with the desserts and baked goods. So if you want to use it as a topping on your favorite desserts and drinks, try using almond or rice milk.
Procedure
- Combine 1 cup of low-fat milk and two tablespoons of cornstarch.
- Whisk until properly combined, and add one tablespoon of flour to thicken the mixture.
- Add more flour to thicken the consistency of the mixture if required.
Soy Milk and Japanese-Style Tofu
Japenese-style tofu is made from condensed soy milk and can easily be blended into a high protein and dairy-free alternative for whipped cream. Blending the tofu with soy milk will help give it a smooth texture and remove all the lumps.
It surely can be a great homemade vegan whipped topping for your favorite Starbuck drinks and desserts without risking your health.
Procedure
- Combine tofu and soy milk in equal portions in a food processor or a blender.
- Blend it at high speed until it reaches a smooth and thick consistency.
- Spoon it over your favorite drink and dessert. Enjoy!
Unsalted Cashews and Grape Juice
If you are lactose intolerant but still find it challenging to cut whipped cream out of your diet, use cashews and juice to make your version of delicious and dairy-free whipped cream.
Procedure
- Rinse and drain the cashews properly in ice-cold water.
- Add 2 cups of cashews, 1 cup of white grape juice, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the blender.
- Blend the mixture for 2 to 4 minutes until the mixture reaches a smooth and thick consistency.
- Store the finished product in the freezer for 15 minutes before using it as a topping.
Coconut Milk and Vanilla Extract
If you are highly allergic to nuts and dairy products, whipped cream might be something you cannot think of consuming. Fortunately, coconut milk can be a delicious and healthy substitute for whipped cream.
Procedure
- Chill the coconut milk overnight in the can. To separate the cream from the liquid, keep the can in an upright position.
- Chill a large metal mixing bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before the preparation of whipped cream.
- Scrape out the coconut cream from the can and place it in the chilled metal mixing bowl.
- Beat for 50 seconds with the help of an electric beater until creamy and smooth in texture.
- Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute more until stiff peaks form.
- Freeze the prepared whipped cream for 20 minutes before serving.