Is whipped cream gluten free? I’m sharing the answer plus an easy, delicious homemade maple vanilla whipped cream recipe!

It makes the perfect topping on your favorite desserts like rich ice cream sundaes, spicy pumpkin pie, creamy cakes, fudgy brownies, and juicy fresh fruits. I also love to top homemade hot chocolate and coffee with whipped cream for extra decadence on special occasions.

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A glass bowl of homemade gluten free whipped cream sitting on a counter.

Gluten-related diseases such as celiac disease and gluten ataxia are rare conditions, affecting less than 1% of the population in the United States. If you have a medical condition like celiac disease, it’s important to keep a gluten-free diet. And if you have a gluten sensitivity, it’s best to avoid unwanted gluten when you can.

The good news is that when it comes to traditional whipped cream, spray whips, and original cool whip from the store, most often the ingredient list is gluten-free. However, some of the ingredients are questionable…which is where homemade whipped cream comes in.

Is whipped cream gluten free?

Most whipped cream from the grocery store is gluten free. But you should always check the ingredient label to make sure there are no hidden ingredients that contain gluten proteins before consuming it. Alternatively, check for a gluten-free mark indicating that it’s safe for people on a gluten-free diet.

Gluten-free Ingredients in Whipped Cream

Real cream – The main ingredient in store-bought and homemade whipped cream is real cream, which gives the creamy texture when you whip it up. Since it’s usually the heavy cream from cow milk, it is gluten free. If you are making a dairy-free alternative and using coconut milk or coconut cream, that is also gluten free.

Just keep in mind that not all cream brands are created equal. Read all the extra hidden ingredients in the heavy cream label to be sure that none of them include gluten.

Guar gums – Stabilizers and gums are used to thicken products and guar gum is gluten free.

Xanthan gums – Sometimes whipped cream contains xanthan gum to thicken it up and it’s gluten free. However, some people have noticed that consuming xanthan gums cause tummy issues like gas, bloating, and discomfort. If that’s you, avoid it.

High fructose corn syrup – Sometimes whipped cream is made with high fructose corn syrup as the sweetener, which is derived from corn starch. Since it’s not made from wheat, barley, or rye, there is no gluten. Whether it’s a safe ingredient…that’s a whole other topic of discussion.

Artificial flavors – Most artificial flavors do not contain gluten. Just be sure to check the ingredient label to be sure there are no allergens that contain gluten.

Gluten-containing Ingredients in Whipped Cream

Barley malt – Barley malt is a sweetener and flavoring derived from barley, which has gluten. It is sometimes added to whipped cream or flavored whipped cream, so watch out.

Since whipped cream is simple to make at home, I’m sharing a delicious whipped cream recipe that is always gluten free.

Easy Recipe for Delicious, Homemade Maple Vanilla Whipped Cream

Once you make whipped cream at home, you will almost never enjoy store-bought whipped cream again. It’s such a simple recipe using real ingredients and only takes minutes to make! The main ingredients are heavy cream, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

This recipe will make 1 and 1/2 cups of whipped cream.

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Ingredients

Good food starts with good ingredients.

Heavy Cream – You will need 1 and 1/2 cups of heavy cream or heavy whipping cream as it’s sometimes called. Light cream will work, too, but avoid skim milk to whole milk. They won’t work. If you have raw cream, all the better.

You can also use coconut cream to make a dairy-free whipped cream, but coconut milk is too thin and won’t give you the product you want.

Maple Syrup* – You’ll need 3 tablespoons of good maple syrup, or more to your taste depending on how sweet you want your finished product. I prefer using organic, Grade B maple syrup because it has a rich, deep maple flavor. You can also use lighter colored Grade A maple syrup for a more delicate flavor if you want.

Vanilla Extract – Use 1 teaspoon of good vanilla extract. Avoid the imitation stuff if you can help it.

It’s simple to make vanilla extract at home and save big bucks while you do it. Grab my simple recipe to make vanilla extract at home here!

*If you don’t want maple vanilla whipped cream, substitute an equal amount of powdered sugar or honey instead.

Tools You May Need

Electric mixer with whisk attachment – You can also use a large bowl and large wire whisk to make whipped cream by hand.

Measuring cups and spoons – For measuring out your ingredients. However, if you want to eyeball it, that’s what I normally do.

Spatula – You’ll need to scrape your bowl as you make the whipped cream, and scrape it again to get all the delicious goodness out.

Airtight container – For best results, store your homemade whipped cream in an airtight container and refrigerate after you make it.

How to Make Real Whipped Cream

Woman pouring heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment.

First, add 1 and 1/2 cups of heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer with wire whisk attachment. Alternatively, you can make whipped cream by hand with simply a large or medium bowl and whisk.

Woman adding maple syrup into the bowl of a stand mixer with wire whisk attachment that already has heavy cream inside.

Next, add 3 tablespoons of good maple syrup. This is your sweetener and it makes the most delicious whipped cream topping.

Also, add a teaspoon of good vanilla extract.

Now you whip it all together. Start on low speed and slowly increase to medium speed.

Woman mixing heavy cream, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer.

To keep the cream from splashing out of your bowl, start on low speed and slowly increase as it gets thicker. Once you start seeing the cream get thick enough to trace in the bowl, increase to high speed for just a few seconds until you get soft peaks.

You can tell if your whipped cream has soft peaks if when you pull the whisk out of the bowl, it has developed soft peaks of whipped cream and coats the whisk. It should look similar to the rolling hills and mountains of the Appalachians.

If you go too long, the next stage is hard peaks. That will look like rigid peaks similar to the Rocky Mountains.

A stainless steel mixing bowl with homemade whipped cream showing soft peaks.

It’s important not to go too long whisking or else you will eventually churn your cream into butter. That means the butterfat particles will separate from the buttermilk and leave you a real mess if your goal was whipped cream.

A woman scooping whipped cream out of a stainless steel bowl and putting it into a glass jar with a white rubber spatula.

When your whipped cream is the consistency you want, taste it. You can add a bit more maple syrup or vanilla extract should you wish. But keep the whisking to a minimum and stir just to combine.

Then it’s time to either use your whipped cream or put it into an airtight container.

Whipped cream in a glass with a red lid.

I bought some French jelly jars, also called working glasses, years ago with plastic lids that fit. But they are a lot more expensive these days.

Wide mouth quart mason jars and lids or other clear containers are good options so that you can see your whipped cream inside.

Recipe Card

A glass bowl of homemade whipped cream sitting on a counter.

Delicious Homemade Maple Vanilla Whipped Cream Recipe

This maple vanilla whipped cream recipe is great on top of juicy fresh fruits, pancakes, fudgy brownies, sweet pumpkin pie, and even drinks like hot chocolate and coffee!

Cook Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size 12 ounces

Equipment

electric stand mixer with whisk attachment (or large bowl and whisk)
measuring cups and spoons
spatula
airtight container

Ingredients

1½ cups heavy cream (or coconut cream)
3 tbsp maple syrup (or more to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Pour the heavy cream, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into the bowl of your stand mixer. Start mixing on low speed and gradually increase to medium speed.
When the cream has thickened and starts to "trace" in the bowl, increase the speed to high speed for just a couple seconds until soft peaks have formed.
Taste the whipped cream and add additional maple syrup, if desired. Then stir it in gently just until combined. Be careful not to stir your whipped cream too much.
Use your whipped cream right away or store in an airtight container and use it within a week.

Is Cool Whip whipped cream gluten-free?

Yes, Cool Whip is gluten free, and can be used in gluten-free recipes.

Is Reddi-Wip whipped cream gluten free?

Yes, Reddi-Wip is gluten free. And if you get the sugar-free variety, it’s also keto friendly. But always double check the ingredient list for any potential allergens or additives.