Whether you're approaching the best-by date or have to dash out of town before opening a new carton of milk, it can be tempting to pop milk and heavy cream in the freezer to save for later. But is it safe to freeze milk and heavy cream, and will it taste the same once thawed? Here’s what we found. Show Milk You can safely freeze milk — whether it's regular dairy milk (skim through whole) or buttermilk — for 1 to 2 months, but once thawed, it will only last a few days. It’s best to store milk in an airtight plastic jug or bottle with at least one-third of the container empty. Milk will expand as it freezes, and you want to make sure there’s enough room for it expand, without the bottle exploding. There are some downsides to freezing dairy milk. To start, both milk and buttermilk will likely separate once thawed, so you will need to whisk the whey and the cream of the milk back together or shake well before using. It’s also best to thaw milk slowly in the refrigerator to lessen the separation. Finally, it’s important to note that dairy milk will change slightly in taste and texture once thawed, so it’s best to use thawed milk for cooking and baking (rather than drinking). Heavy Cream Similar to milk, heavy cream can be frozen for 1 to 2 months. It will also separate once thawed, but heavy cream's higher fat content does fare better — it separates less than lighter dairy products. To freeze, place your heavy cream in a plastic jug or carton, but make sure to leave some room for the heavy cream to expand once frozen. It’s important to note that frozen-then-thawed heavy cream will not whip as nicely as fresh heavy cream. The heavy cream will develop ice crystals the longer it sits in your freezer, and the added water content will prevent the cream from becoming as voluminous as a carton of fresh heavy cream. If you plan to whip your cream, it’s best to do so in advance of freezing: Whip your heavy cream to soft peaks, dollop the mixture onto parchment paper-lined sheet trays, then freeze until firm and transfer to zip-top bags until ready to use. Non-Dairy Milks If non-dairy and plant-based milks are a part of your regular diet, these can also be frozen and stored for about 2 months. Whether you have almond, soy, oat or even coconut milk, you can freeze all of these liquids, just be sure to store them in a plastic container and not in an aluminum can or glass jar. Unfortunately, most non-dairy milks will also separate and become grainy once thawed because of the added water content needed to thin them. However, they are all each easily whisked or shaken back together once completely defrosted. A great method for storing non-dairy milk is in ice cubes trays; that way you can easily pull them from the freezer and pop them into smoothies and other blended beverages. The Gist Yes, you can freeze milk, heavy cream and non-dairy milks. However, the overall taste and texture may change once thawed, resulting in a product that’s best for cooking and baking. If you have a surplus of dairy that you want to freeze before it goes bad, we suggest saving this product for future cooking and baking projects. Whipped Cream is a delicious topping for any number of desserts and beverages, but what about when you make too much? What do you do with the leftovers? Can you freeze whipped cream? Yep! Freezing whipped cream is super easy. It allows you to avoid food waste as well as store a convenient sweet treat in the freezer to use in hot drinks such as a mug of Malted Hot Chocolate as well as blended beverages, like milk shakes or smoothies, like a Strawberry Mango Smoothie with Banana.
Whipped cream is easy to make, especially if you have a stand mixer or a whipped cream machine. You can actually do this by hand with a whisk, like my girls insist on doing after watching too much Food Network, but your arm will get sore and it takes longer than ten minutes. While I’ve made freshly whipped cream hundreds of times in my life, it seems like I can never estimate the right amount to make. That’s when it comes in so handy to be able to freeze whipped cream! Why Do ThisIt helps you avoid food waste. If you’ve got a carton of whipping cream that is nearing its date or you whipped too much for dessert last night, you can prevent that fluffy deliciousness from going to waste by freezing whipped cream. It will save you money. Wasting food is akin to wasting money. If you can stock up on whipped cream when it’s on sale and stash it for later, you can stretch your grocery dollar a little further. While you may be limited in how you use your frozen whipped cream, you’ll still enjoy some money savings. It can be more convenient. If you love a dollop of whipped cream on your mocha, then having some frozen and recipe-ready will make your barista duty quick and easy. IngredientsFor maple whipped cream, you’ll need whipping cream and maple syrup. Alternatively, you can use another sweetener like powdered sugar or honey. To make it a little more, you can add vanilla extract or you can even make Chocolate Whipped Cream by adding some cocoa powder. Step-by-Step InstructionsYou can whip cream in a steel dispenser or whip it by hand with a mixer or whisk. The directions for freezing will always be the same. This is the whipped cream dispenser we use.To whip the cream with a dispenser:
To whip the cream in a bowl:
Use your whipped cream in recipes or if you’re ready to freeze it, proceed as follows. To freeze whipped cream:
FAQsCan you make whipped cream in advance? Yes! You can make the whipped cream several hours ahead of time and store it in the fridge, covered. Liven it up with a whisk right before serving. The leftover whipped cream goes great in your morning coffee or atop mugs of hot cocoa. Can you make whipped cream with milk or half and half? No. You need a high fat content in order to get whipped cream to thicken. Milk or half and half will not become whipped cream. Can whipped cream go bad? Liquid whipping cream can go bad. If it starts to smell sour or clump, it should be discarded. Whip fresh cream and store in the freezer to extend its shelf life. UsesWhile frozen whipped cream doesn’t thaw in a pretty enough way to use for a dessert topping, it works wonderfully in hot drinks, such as coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. It can also blend well into smoothies to add extra creaminess. Incorporate your frozen whipped cream into these recipes:
Tell us what you think!We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe. Print Recipe Add to CollectionGo to Collections4.67 from 3 votes How to Freeze Whipped CreamMaple Whipped Cream is one of the simplest of whipped cream recipes. When you freeze the leftovers you can extend its shelf life and enjoy it in all kinds of beverages later. Prep Time15 mins Freezing Time3 hrs Total Time15 mins Course: Dessert Cuisine: American Diet: Vegetarian Servings: 8 Calories: 109kcal Author: Jessica Fisher Cost: $3 Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark Equipment
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric InstructionsTo whip the cream with a dispenser:
To whip the cream in a bowl:
To freeze whipped cream:
NotesThe cream will whip best if your bowl and beaters have been chilled prior to preparing the recipe.Freshly whipped cream is good in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Frozen whipped cream should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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