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How To Thicken Heavy Cream
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How To Thicken Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is a versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savory dishes. Knowing how to thicken heavy cream is important if you plan to use it in a sauce or whipped cream. If it does not properly thicken, it will be thin and runny, making a mess with whatever you are trying to make. Heavy whipping cream is great for making whipped cream, pasta sauce, soup, frosting, ice cream, cream pie, and much more. It is a common ingredient that most bakers keep on hand. It provides richness, flavor, and texture when used in recipes.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Can you use plain flour to thicken sauces, Does boiling sauce make it thicker?, Does simmering thicken sauce?, how to thicken heavy cream, What do I do if my sauce is too watery?
Author: Cakedecorist

Equipment

Ingredients
  

To thicken heavy cream for a sauce you will need:

  • Heavy cream
  • Gelatin, flour, or cornstarch
  • Sauce ingredients

To thicken heavy cream for whipped cream you will need:

Instructions 

Thickening heavy cream for sauce

  • Prepare your sauce according to the recipe
    Prepare your sauce according to the recipe you are using.
    Sauce ingredients
  • Bring to a simmer
    Bring your sauce with the heavy whipping cream to a simmer, where you see some bubbles forming on the surface. Bringing it to a simmer is important as this will help thicken the heavy cream.
    Heavy cream
  • Simmer the sauce
    Once it reaches a simmer, slightly turn the heat down to allow it to stay at a consistent simmer. Allow your sauce to simmer for several minutes, as it will continue to thicken as it simmers. Stir occasionally as well to help the thickening process.
  • Add a thickening agent
    If your sauce is still not thick, add a thickening agent. The best thickening agents to use include flour, cornstarch, and unflavored gelatin.
    Add about one to two teaspoons of your thickening agent of choice. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix it into your sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few more minutes and if it is still too thin, add some more of your thickening agent until it reaches your desired consistency.
    Gelatin, flour, or cornstarch

Thickening whipped cream

  • Whip the cream
    Add one and a half cups of cream, a half cup of powdered sugar, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to your mixer with whisk attachments. Beat it at medium-high speed for about three minutes, until soft peaks begin to form.
    1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered Sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Prepare the gelatin
    As you make your whipped cream, prepare the unflavored gelatin. Add your unflavored gelatin and water to a microwave-safe bowl and allow it to sit for three to five minutes. After sitting, microwave the gelatin and water for around 10 seconds until the gelatin is dissolved.
    1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin or 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, 4 teaspoons water
  • Add the gelatin to the whipped cream
    With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in your gelatin. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and mix the whipped cream until stiff peaks form, around a couple of minutes.
  • Use cream of tartar instead of gelatin
    Instead of gelatin, you can use cream of tartar to thicken your gelatin. Add the cream of tartar in at the beginning of the recipe with the other ingredients and then beat the whipped cream for around four to five minutes, or until stiff peaks form.
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