This homemade Coconut Whipped Cream is the perfect dairy free and vegan option for traditional whipped cream. It’s easy to make and great paired with all your favorite desserts, and especially with anything baked. Keep cans of coconut milk or unsweetened coconut cream in your fridge so you’re always 5 minutes away from some dairy free whipped cream. And don’t miss all my tips for how to make perfect coconut whipped cream every time.
I’ve been making this Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream for just over 7 years now. And so I knew it was time for an update with all the different tips I’ve learned along the way. So if you’re looking for a super tasty dairy-free whipped cream, this recipe is the answer!
I use this recipe for whipped cream to go with so many other desserts, and it’s always a hit. So be sure and check out my favorite dessert recipes below to pair with this whipped cream. It’s simple to make, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to perfect coconut whipped cream every time!
So first of all what is coconut whipped cream
It’s a dairy-free and vegan version of whipped cream, and yes it does taste like coconut! Surprisingly though, it pairs really well with so many desserts. You make it by refrigerating a can of coconut milk or you can also use a can of coconut cream (unsweetened). This causes the ‘cream’ to harden and come to the surface. From there you whip this cream, and it gets fluffy like regular whipped cream.
Now make this Coconut Whipped Cream recipe step by step
The first step is to refrigerate the coconut milk. This is essential to help the cream separate from the coconut water. Then add the hardened cream to a mixing bowl. To play it extra safe, just whip the hardened cream before adding the sweetener.
I’ve found that I have really good luck with the Native Forest brand of organic coconut milk, and I just add the sweetener in right away. (You can see this in the above photo.)
However, it doesn’t hurt to just whip the hardened cream first in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. That way if it’s on the soft side, you can use powdered sugar to thicken it up rather than the maple syrup which will make it even softer.
This method makes a thick whipped cream very similar in texture to regular whipped cream with stiff peaks.
How to make softer coconut whipped cream
After you’ve whipped the coconut cream and added the sweetener, add a touch of the leftover coconut water until the texture becomes softer. This type of whipped cream is really perfect in any sort of trifle like my Death by Chocolate recipe. What you’re looking for is ‘droopy’ peaks rather than a ‘stiff’ peak whipped cream.
If you’ve made coconut whipped cream before, you know it doesn’t always turn out! So I’ve put together my tips below to give you the best chance it will turn out perfectly every single time.
There are a few reasons it doesn’t work out sometimes, and believe me I’ve definitely learned these the hard way over the last 7 years. Also if you have lots of experience with dairy-free whipped cream, let me know your tips down below in the comments!
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Coconut Whipped Cream
- Use full-fat coconut milk. Any kind of lite coconut milk, or boxed coconut milk absolutely will not work. I’ve had really great success with the Native Forest brand, both their simple and their classic canned coconut milk. I’ve also had ok luck with Thai Kitchen, although sometimes the cream doesn’t want to separate. Any other brand we have here locally has been hit or miss for me. I’ve heard great things about the 365 brand, but we don’t have that one available to try out. And while I haven’t personally used Trader Joe’s, I’ve gotten a bit of feedback that it produces a grainy result.
- Chill the coconut milk for at least 1 day, and even 2 days to allow the cream to separate. This is especially true if the coconut milk you’re using has any kind of thickener like guar gum in it. I’ve found chilling the cans of coconut milk in the door of my refrigerator to produce the best results. I chilled them on the top shelf towards the back once and ended up getting some lumps in it. So it would seem if you can chill it in the ‘warmest’ places in your fridge it whips better.
- Chill the mixing bowl just like you would for normal whipped cream. If coconut whipped cream gets too warm at any point it goes grainy. So if you want to make it ahead, just be sure to keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it. I just made a batch of this for Thanksgiving, and it sat at the table for over an hour. I threw it out because it got too warm and the texture turned grainy.
- Make it 1 day ahead! In case something still doesn’t turn out right, this gives you a bit of time to chill more coconut milk and make another batch. You can do your best to make sure everything goes right, but ingredients do vary. Since I started using Native Forest I can’t remember the last time my coconut whipped cream didn’t turn out right. But before when I used whatever brand I had on hand, things didn’t always work out!
- Add the sweetener at the end. This is just to control the texture of your whipped cream. Adding powdered sugar will thicken it, and adding maple syrup will make it looser. I personally steer clear of honey now because it wants to clump when it’s added to cold ingredients.
Ways to serve this
- Serve this coconut whipped cream with any dessert you’d like. Head on over to our Dessert Recipe Category for lots and lots of recipe options. You’ll also find 5 of our favorite desserts with this whipped cream below.
- I especially love this whipped creamy with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. It’s also wonderful paired with juicy peaches when fresh fruit is at its peak season.
- Use this coconut whipped cream as a topping for cozy drinks like my Homemade Hot Chocolate or Pumpkin Chai Latte.
Serve this coconut whipped cream with these recipes
- Death by Chocolate
- Avocado Chocolate Mousse
- No Bake Healthy Chocolate Tart
- The Best Paleo Pumpkin Pie
- Gluten Free Apple Pie Bars
Or… serve this whipped cream with a pan of these flourless chocolate brownies still warm from the oven! I sure hope you get a chance to make this dairy-free coconut whipped cream recipe soon, and if you do, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. I always love hearing from you here in the comments.
Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream
INGREDIENTS
Firmer Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut cream - refrigerated, or 2 cans full-fat coconut milk, see notes
- 2 tbsp Grade A maple syrup - or powdered sugar to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Softer Whipped Cream:
- Add the leftover liquid 1 tablespoon at a time until loose peaks form.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Refrigerate your mixing bowl or place it in the freezer until chilled before starting.
- Scoop the hardened cream from the top, and place it into the chilled bowl. Reserve the liquid until the end in case you need a bit, but most of it will be leftover and is great in a smoothie.
- Place the chilled bowl into a stand, or using a hand mixer beat the coconut cream until it's fluffy and soft peaks form about 1-2 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Then add the sweetener to taste, and vanilla, and beat again just to combine. You can also mix it in by hand.
- Serve the whipped cream immediately, or refrigerate and use within 1 day or so. After 1 day the whipped cream will sometimes separate. I've had good luck stirring it back together or whipping it again for a few seconds before serving it.
- To make the softer whipped cream, add 1 tablespoon of the reserved liquid from the coconut milk at a time until loose peaks form.
Can I use this recipe for the Whip it canister
I’m not sure if a Whip it canister would work since I’ve never used one. Sorry I can’t be of more help, but I hope you’ll let me know how it goes if you decide to try it out!
Thanks for this recipe! Great idea! I live in Mozambique and have made coconut milk with fresh coconuts and with unsweetened grated coconut. I always skim the cream off and save it for “something – someday!” It sometimes goes into a recipe as the shortening, but I love the idea of coconut whipped cream!
I sure hope you’ll let me know if fresh coconut cream works for whipped cream, it sounds absolutely amazing!
Can I ask why you use coconut milk and not coconut cream? I would think the cream would be much thicker and would fluff up much nicer because of the higher fat content. Also, do you know how long the finished product will stay good in the refrigerator? Thanks!
I use the cream that hardens and separates to the top of coconut milk which is the same texture as coconut cream. I didn’t used to be able to buy coconut cream locally when I wrote this, but I’m planning to update this post in the new year! I’ve found that coconut whipped cream keeps at least 3-4 days in the refrigerator when you make the thicker fluffier version in the post with just the skimmed off coconut cream, not the full can. The full can makes a soft whipped cream that’s best used right away. I sure hope this helps, and be sure to let me know if you have anymore questions!
Has anyone used Trader Joe’s Canned Coconut Cream? I’d like to make either a grasshopper pie, or an icebox cake with this recipe.
I haven’t personally used Trader Joe’s coconut cream, but I have used Thai Kitchen’s coconut cream, and it works great. Is Trader Joe’s coconut cream all coconut cream like you’d find on top from a regular can of coconut milk, or is it creamed coconut which is any entirely different thing? In any case I hope this helps!
I tried the first method, and I must have overwhipped it after just two minutes or so. It separated (maybe what others referred to as “curdled”). I wish I could save it…the brownies will be ready any second now!
I have had occasional batches not come together which is why coconut milk with some type of stabilizer like guar gum works the best. I’ve also found it can happen if the coconut milk is too cold, there ends up being lumps of coconut cream in the finished product, so I’ve found with my fridge that it’s best to keep the coconut milk in the door rather than the top shelf where it’s much colder. The only way I know to ‘save’ a wrecked whipped cream attempt is to blend it in the blender with the other ingredients for my Homemade Coconut Ice Cream and freeze it in an ice cream maker. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out this time, once in a while coconut milk can be finicky so I hope the next time works out better.
OH MY GOD THIS IS WONDERFUL!!!! Buried a bowl of fresh strawberry slices w/this and thought I was going to die!!! Used the original creme only version w/maple syrup, vanilla and almond flavor…… food bliss coma now….
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, there’s nothing better than strawberries and whipped cream!
Unless you add BLUEBERRIES!!! Also added a sprinkle of cinnamon to the maple syrup and vanilla. Wonder what it tastes like if I swap almond flavor for vanilla???
SO GOOD!!
Yes! Or huckleberries which are like wild blueberries and so good with whipped cream, and since you’re a blueberry fan, I think you’ll love the almond extract! I make it like that often and I love the flavor with berries. 🙂
I was looking for a recipe for coconut whipping cream made with homemade coconut milk, but enjoyed looking over your ideas! However…don’t know if you choose the ads that display on your blog or not, but the unexpected blare of music for the Sephora ad was very unwelcome and unsettling. I probably won’t revisit…
I’m glad you enjoyed looking over the recipes! I’m sorry to hear you ended up with an annoying ad blaring in the background, unfortunately I don’t have direct control over the ads, but I do specify I don’t want that type on my website, however they sometimes slip through anyways. Sorry for the bad experience, but it’s not possible to keep this website running without the ads as the expenses really add up every month.
Is there any way to get the recipe for the lime chia pudding with avocado? I’d be eternally grateful!!! I will send you virtual chocolate, hugs, avocados, whatever you desire.
Thanks
Yes, I’ll work on getting written down for you! There’s always so many recipe floating around in my head that sometimes I never get around to putting them on the blog. So if there’s anything you ever want to see a recipe for, just let me know and I’ll do my best to create it! I usually work at least couple weeks out (and this one might not get published until after my fall schedule), so when I get the proportions down, I’ll shoot you an email so you can have it sooner. 🙂