Whipped Cream from Scratch

I feel as though people overestimate the difficulty of some things, whipped cream for instance. I love this stuff, it's supper easy, a kindergartner could do it, no joke I swear. Although I haven't tested this theory I have a good bit of faith in that statement. It doesn't take long at all (about 20 min. tops) and it taste a WHOLE lot better, especially since you get to control the sugar content. Added bonus you cut out those hydrogenated oils that are found in most of those whip creams. (Insert rant about hydrogenated oils and trans fats here.)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 TBS granulated sugar
= 2 cups of whipped cream


First things first, make sure your heavy whipping cream is fairly fresh, if not it will have a slight bitter hint to it, kind of like butter milk, and that is not tasty. If you opened it a week ago and you keep your fridge relatively colder than average it should be okay, any longer and you may be risking it.

Next get a bowl preferably metal, but it doesn't have to be, and the whisks to your electric mixer and shove those in the freezer for at least 10 min.

Once your bowl and whisks are relatively cold take 'em out and measure out and pour in the heavy whipping cream.

Start to mix the heavy whipping cream on the lowest setting; however, if you have a kitchen aid stand mixer the second lowest setting is better. If no change is noticeable after the first five minutes knock the speed up by one setting.

Once you start to see firm ridges [like below] starting to form in the cream start to add the sugar SLOWLY while mixing. SLOWLY add 1 TBS first, and check for taste, if you'd like it sweeter add a bit more.

Soon firmer ridges will start to form, a little less than a minute later, like so [below]. 

Turn off mixer and check for a stiff peak: which is when you lift your mixer out of the cream it should hold its shape. If it holds its shape you are done, and if you're feeling really fancy fold in some melted chocolate and you have chocolate mousse!

Enjoy!