Name: Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup heavy whipping cream (chilled); 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) is that magical touch that transforms everyday desserts into irresistible treats, thanks to its dreamy, pillowy texture and subtle vanilla sweetness. A staple in classic French patisserie, this luscious whipped cream is simple yet decadent, letting you dress up fresh berries, elevate cakes, or enjoy a blissful spoonful straight from the bowl! With just a few ingredients and minutes of your time, you’ll have a homemade Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) that outshines anything store-bought, making it perfect for special occasions or spoiling yourself on an ordinary day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is all about simplicity and quality. With just three staple ingredients, each one plays a starring role in achieving the perfect light, airy, and subtly sweet Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) that makes every dessert moment memorable.

Heavy Whipping Cream (chilled): This is the star of the show, so make sure it’s very cold for the best volume and a smooth, fluffy texture.
Powdered Sugar: It dissolves instantly into the cream, bringing just the right amount of sweetness without any grittiness.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla adds that signature French aroma and a warm, floral complexity that elevates the flavor beautifully.

How to Make Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly)

Step 1: Chill Your Tools

To set yourself up for success, place your mixing bowl and beaters (or the whisk attachment) in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand. This extra-cold start gives your Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) maximum lift and a cloud-like texture.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Pour the chilled heavy cream into your cold mixing bowl, then add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Gathering everything in advance means you’ll whip up the cream without having to pause or lose that all-important chill.

Step 3: Whip to Soft Peaks

Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed, whip the mixture until soft peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters, the cream holds a gentle peak that softly folds over. Stop as soon as it reaches this stage to avoid turning the cream grainy or, worse, into butter.

Step 4: Taste and Tweak

Give your Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) a quick taste—if you crave more sweetness or a stronger vanilla note, now’s the time to gently fold in an extra spoonful of sugar or a splash of vanilla. A light hand here keeps the texture absolutely dreamy.

Step 5: Serve or Store

Use your Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) immediately while it’s at its fluffiest. If you need to make it ahead, transfer it to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Give a light whisk before serving for the smoothest, silkiest texture.

How to Serve Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly)

Garnishes

Dress up your Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) with a shower of chocolate shavings, a dusting of cinnamon, or a delicate sprinkle of edible flowers. Each garnish adds a touch of elegance, color, and a fun textural contrast that makes every dollop pop.

Side Dishes

This cream is the perfect partner for a symphony of desserts. Spoon some on pies, puddings, warm fruit cobblers, or even French toast at brunch. It pairs especially well with fresh berries or any dessert that could use an airy, sweet cloud.

Creative Ways to Present

Layer Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) in pretty glasses with fruit for individual trifles, pipe decorative swirls onto cupcakes, or serve it in a bowl as a DIY bar for guests to add their own toppings. For a playful twist, pipe mini rosettes onto tartlets or stacks of pancakes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) should go straight into an airtight container and into the fridge. It stays beautifully fluffy for up to 24 hours; just give it a quick, gentle whisk to revive its airy texture before using again.

Freezing

While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can actually freeze Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly)! Freeze in dollops on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge—the texture will be slightly firmer, but still delicious as a frosty dessert topper.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t needed for Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly), since it’s best enjoyed cold. Instead, give it a soft stir or brief whip if it has separated a bit in the fridge. This brings it right back to pillowy perfection!

FAQs

Can I make Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) without a mixer?

Absolutely! Grab a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease—you’ll get a bit of a workout, but you can whip the cream by hand just fine. It might take a little longer, so chilling your whisk and bowl helps speed up the process.

What does “soft peaks” look like?

Soft peaks are when the cream holds its shape on the whisk but folds over gently instead of standing straight up. It’s the secret to getting that luscious, swoopy texture for your Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly), rather than something overly stiff.

Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar?

You can, but powdered sugar dissolves instantly and creates the smoothest, fluffiest Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly). Regular sugar can leave a little grit, so use superfine sugar if you want to substitute and whisk well to dissolve it completely.

How do I prevent overbeating the cream?

Keep a close watch as the cream thickens, and stop mixing once you see soft peaks. If you go too far and the cream starts to look grainy, you can try folding in a bit more fresh cream to bring back some smoothness—but don’t let it go past the butter stage!

Is Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) gluten-free?

Yes! This classic is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so it’s safe for most guests with dietary needs—just check your vanilla extract if you’re being extra cautious.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t yet made Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) from scratch, you’re in for a delightful surprise—it’s pure joy in every swirl and so simple, you’ll want to whip it up for every occasion. Give it a try, and watch your desserts (and dessert lovers) light up with every spoonful!

Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make Chantilly Cream, also known as Crème Chantilly, a versatile and delicious sweetened whipped cream flavored with vanilla. Perfect for topping desserts or adding a luxurious touch to your favorite sweets.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy whipping cream (chilled)
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, as the cream can turn grainy or begin to turn into butter.