Equipment Needed

• bowl
• whisk or electric mixer
• cold bowl (chilled)

Ingredients

• heavy cream
• sugar (optional)
• vanilla (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Chill bowl and whisk/beaters in freezer for 10 minutes
2. Pour heavy cream into cold bowl
3. Whisk or beat on medium-high speed
4. After 1-2 minutes, soft peaks form (cream barely holds peaks)
5. Continue whisking for 2-3 more minutes
6. Stiff peaks form (peaks hold their shape)
7. Stop immediately - overbeating turns it to butter
8. Add sugar and vanilla if desired, fold in gently

Professional Tips

• Cold equipment is essential - warm equipment ruins whipping
• Start at lower speed, increase to medium-high
• Watch carefully - it goes from perfect to butter quickly
• Soft peaks (droopy): serve over desserts
• Stiff peaks (stands upright): for decorating or pie topping

What to Make

• desserts
• pie topping
• hot chocolate topping
• coffee
• pastries