Easy Dairy-Free Coconut Whipped Cream

Looking for a creamy, delicious whipped topping that’s dairy-free? This coconut whipped cream recipe is the perfect solution! Whether you’re following a dairy-free, paleo, or AIP diet, this whipped cream adds a light, luscious touch to any dessert—from pumpkin custard to a simple bowl of berries.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the quick and easy steps for making your own coconut whipped cream at home, plus some essential tips to ensure your whipped cream comes out perfectly every time. 

Not into making your own? I've got an easy store-bought option for you, too. Scroll down to get the details and grab the recipe!

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Why Coconut Whipped Cream?

Coconut whipped cream is a fantastic alternative to traditional whipped cream because it’s:

Dairy-Free: Ideal for those with dairy sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy. 
Paleo and AIP-Friendly: Free from refined sugars and other additives.
Rich in Flavor: It adds a subtle coconut taste that complements many desserts.

Chef's Tips for Foolproof Coconut Whipped Cream

Whipping coconut cream works beautifully as a dairy-free alternative... until you try to add a liquid sweetener, get it to behave like traditional cream, get it too warm, buy the wrong brand, use one with guar gum, use one without guar gum, or look at it wrong. Just kidding, kind of.

Seriously though, not to discourage you, but know that making coconut whipped cream can be a little finicky. If yours goes sideways, you're not alone. Keep an open mind, say your prayers, and follow the instructions carefully. 

Avoid these pitfalls when making your Coconut Whipped Cream:

• Not thoroughly chilling the coconut cream/milk overnight. It also helps to chill the mixing bowl!
• Adding too much liquid (like maple syrup) to sweeten, or too much of the coconut water
• Adding anything grainy, like granulated sugar. Powdered or liquid sweeteners work better.
• Trying to thicken with coconut oil or coconut butter results in a gritty, grainy, runny texture.
• Using light coconut milk or a  low-quality brand of coconut milk that contains too much coconut water and not enough coconut cream
• Getting a “dud” can with barely any coconut cream.

My #1 tip: Buy a high-quality, high-fat can of organic, guar-free Coconut Cream from Let’s Do Organic. Guar gum is added to most cans of coconut milk to thicken and stabilize, but it depends on the brand. The jury is out as to whether guar helps make a decent whipped cream or hinders it, but one thing is certain: The more coconut cream in your can, the better. 

The other bonus of this guar-free product is that it's compliant with strict elimination diets like the Autoimmune Protocol or AIP, so there's a win-win!

Here's a side-by-side comparison of whipped heavy coconut cream vs. regular coconut milk (with guar):

When I opened my chilled can of Let’s Do Organic Heavy Coconut Cream, I was surprised that it wasn’t butter-thick like my other can of Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut milk. I was concerned it wouldn’t whip up, but I was wrong! It whipped up so thick that, for a minute, it became crumbly.

I followed the recommendation on the can to add in a little bit of the coconut liquid/water, and voila! Whippy, fluffy, thick coconut whipped cream.

The Thai Kitchen brand whips up just fine. Because it's available at Costco, it's what I usually have on hand, and I’ve used it plenty of times for coconut whipped cream. It has a lovely light texture, but I have never gotten it as stiff as the Let’s Do Organic Coconut Cream. If making frosting, I would go out of my way to purchase this again. Thumbs up!

Store-Bought Option: CocoWhip

If you’re in need of a quick, done-for-you option, CocoWhip by So Delicious is a dairy-free whipped topping alternative. You can find in most grocery stores’ freezer aisles. It has a fairly clean ingredient list and is perfect stand-in when you don't want to make your own dairy-free whip. It does contain some thickeners and emulsifiers so this option is not AIP-compliant. Be sure to check the ingredient list to make sure it works for your current dietary needs. 

Whether buying store-bought or making your own, life is better with a little dairy-free whipped cream in it.  Hope these options have given you ways to enjoy those classic whipped-cream-topped desserts while keeping it dairy-free and aligned with your unique dietary needs. Scroll down to grab the recipe, try it out, and enjoy the creamy goodness!

Wishing you happy cooking, happy thriving, and the best of health, 

 

P.S. If you're anything like me, when I started down the path of thyroid-healthy eating I had questions-- lots of them. What I didn't have was a step-by-step system, to get me where I wanted to go. I wasted a lot of time piecing together bits of information about what to eat, what to avoid, and HOW to make thyroid-healthy dietary changes. That’s why I created the Thyroid-healthy Meal Plan Kickstart. Ready to harness the power of thyroid-healthy eating? Let’s get you kickstarted! Learn more HERE.