Take Desserts To The Next Level With Chocolate Whipped Cream

If you are looking for an easy, sweet way to elevate your desserts, whipped cream is almost always the answer. Making whipped cream takes few ingredients and even less effort, especially if you have an appliance on hand to speed up the process. While the simplicity of this condiment can be appealing, there may be times when you wish it had a bit more flair, or at least a bit more flavor, without sacrificing its convenience. The good news is, you can give it just that by making chocolate whipped cream.

Chocolate whipped cream offers the same low-maintenance recipe as traditional whipped cream, but with the added richness and complexity of the flavor of cocoa. The cocoa also provides the cream with a warm brown color that can be appealing for certain presentation aesthetics. To make it, all you need to do is follow your go-to whipped cream recipe — likely involving heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla — and then add an equal amount of cocoa powder as there is sugar in the recipe. The key here is to use high-quality cocoa powder, as it is going to become the dominant flavor in the cream, so you will want it to be as pleasant as possible without chalkiness or excessive bitterness. If you need help picking one, check out our breakdown of the different types of cocoa powder available.

Chocolate whipped cream can be used on a wide variety of dishes just like regular whipped cream; however, it really shines when intensifying or complementing the flavors of a dish. Adding a little extra cocoa to a dessert that is already chocolatey, like our double chocolate derby pie, can make it extra rich for a luxurious, indulgent treat. Meanwhile, it can add a complex contrast to desserts with flavors that pair well with the taste of cocoa, like red fruit, caramel, or peanut butter. Don't just limit yourself to food, either; chocolate whipped cream is perfect for topping off all kinds of drinks, from milkshakes and lattes to dessert-like cocktails and mocktails.

If you want to further experiment with flavoring your whipped cream, you can enhance it with other spices and mix-ins alongside the cocoa powder. Add a sprinkle of chili powder for a smoky, spicy kick that helps to highlight the subtler notes in cocoa, or a scoop of cinnamon for a warm and cozy undertone. Instant espresso powder is one of our favorite additions, as it will deepen the chocolate flavor of the whipped cream without too much overwhelming coffee flavor.