Can You Freeze Heavy Whipping Cream? Here’s the Guide

Heavy whipping cream is commonly used for making frosting, pastry fillings, preparing whipped cream, or as a thickener in rich soups and silky sauces. Often, recipes call for just a small amount, leaving you with extra cream that’s heading towards its expiration date.

By using your freezer, you can save money and cut down on food waste by prolonging the shelf life of heavy whipping cream. Find out how to safely freeze and thaw it for future recipes.

Can You Freeze Heavy Whipping Cream?

Yes, heavy whipping cream can be frozen directly from the carton. Whether you plan to use it for cooking or whipping, it will work just fine after thawing with a little stir. You can even freeze whipped cream! Read on for tips on freezing heavy whipping cream before it expires.

How to Freeze Heavy Whipping Cream

Freezing heavy whipping cream is simple and quite practical. You can choose from two methods to freeze liquid cream:

Freezing Large Amounts of Heavy Whipping Cream

To freeze larger amounts of heavy whipping cream, you can place the entire carton (or the original container) directly in the freezer. Since the liquid expands as it freezes, if the carton is full, you’ll want to pour out a little to make room for expansion.

Freezing Small Amounts of Heavy Whipping Cream

Sometimes recipes only require a few tablespoons of heavy whipping cream to enhance the flavor and texture. If you want to store smaller portions for individual use, freezing it in an ice cube tray is a great option.

Each cube holds about two tablespoons, but it’s best to measure to be sure. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. When a recipe calls for a bit of cream, you’ll have it ready without needing to open a whole carton. For hot dishes, you can skip the thawing step and drop the frozen cubes directly into the pot or pan.

Freezing Whipped Cream

If you have heavy whipping cream that’s already whipped, it’s easy to freeze and reuse as a whipped topping. Just store it in an airtight container in the freezer.

For a fun twist, you can also spoon out portions or pipe little swirls of whipped cream onto a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the tray for several hours or overnight until the dollops are solid, then transfer them to a plastic bag for easy use as toppers for hot cocoa, coffee, or desserts.

How Long Will Heavy Whipping Cream Stay Good in the Freezer?

When stored properly, frozen heavy whipping cream can maintain its best quality for up to four months in the freezer, though it remains safe to use beyond that time.

How to Thaw Heavy Whipping Cream

To thaw frozen heavy whipping cream, place it in the refrigerator for one to two days before you plan to use it. The thawing time will depend on the size of the container and how much you’re defrosting.

Before using the thawed cream, shake or stir it well to redistribute the butterfat. If the texture is still grainy, you can add a little powdered sugar to smooth it out (unless it would affect the final dish). Previously frozen heavy whipping cream can still be whipped successfully, and it actually whips better when it's very cold.

How to Thaw Whipped Cream

To thaw whipped heavy cream that was frozen, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to reach the right consistency before using. It's perfect as a whipped topping for pies or other desserts. If you froze individual whipped cream portions, simply drop them directly from the freezer into hot beverages. Avoid letting your whipped cream thaw completely, or it will lose its shape and melt away.