Did you know you can make a decadent whipped cream by using a can of coconut milk? Not only is it simple to make, but it’s easily the best-tasting whipped cream I’ve tried.
I know whipped coconut cream isn’t new to many of you – people have been making coconut whipped cream for years and years. I first read about it a couple years ago on Vegan Joy’s website and have seen it popping up everywhere.
In today’s post, I’ll show you just how easy it is to make. I can promise you, your life will change when you taste this stuff!
1. Grab a can of full-fat can coconut milk (without guar gum listed as an ingredient) – Update: Native Forest now puts guar gum in the ingredients and this causes the cream and water to emulsify which is not what we want. The can must also be full-fat because you will be whipping the solid cream. Do not use light coconut milk because it won’t turn out. In summary – look for a full-fat can of coconut milk that does not have guar gum listed on the ingredient list. Cool?
Many of you have had trouble making whipped coconut cream with certain brands because some cans don’t always separate. A reader let me know that Thai Kitchen has changed their formula so that it doesn’t separate anymore. Apparently they are coming out with small cans of pure coconut cream instead. Be on the look out! I used Native Forest with decent result, although I have had some duds before.
2. Place can in the fridge overnight. This is another crucial step. You need to chill the coconut cream until it’s very firm. I once tried to make whipped coconut cream without chilling the can – big mistake! It was a watery mess. I like to keep at least a couple cans in the back of my fridge just in case I need a quick whipped cream for a recipe. Then you always have it on hand and don’t have to wait overnight to use it. A few extra cans of chilled coconut milk never hurt anyone.
Just before you make your whipped cream, place a mixing bowl in the freezer for 5 minutes or so. This helps keep everything cold and will be especially helpful for those of you in very warm climates. You can also put the beaters in the freezer too, but it’s not necessary.
3. Remove the chilled can from fridge and FLIP it upside down.
Why flip it upside down?
The liquid coconut milk (the part that doesn’t harden) will now be at the top of the can! Note: Not all cans work for this – check yours.
4. Open the can. See the liquid at the top? You won’t be whipping this part.
5. Pour the coconut liquid into another bowl. You should have just under 1 cup of liquid, but this yield will vary a bit by brand and even by can.
Don’t throw it away – I like to use it in smoothies along with mango, kale, banana, and chia for a fun tropical smoothie. You can also use it in baking and cooking.
As you can see below, you are left with only the hardened coconut cream! Come to mama!! This is exactly what we want to use to make our coconut whipped cream.
6. Scoop the coconut cream into your chilled bowl. (I don’t recommend using a shallow bowl like this one – I only used it for photo purposes so you could see it better!)
As you can see, you get a lot of hardened cream to work with!
7. Whip the cream. Grab a hand mixer (alternatively, you can do this in a stand mixer – just chill the bowl first) and whip the cream until fluffy. It’s really too much fun.
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Coconut Whipped Cream
Yield
1 cup (250 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
You can easily create a decadent, fluffy whipped cream by using a can of full-fat coconut milk. Not only is the technique simple, but it’s easily the best-tasting whipped cream I’ve tried. You can use this whipped cream just like regular dairy whipped cream. I like to use it in a bowl of fruit, on top of a fruit crisp, or stirred into Banana Soft Serve. The options are really endless! One important tip: you’ll want to chill the can of coconut milk for at least 24 hours before you begin to ensure the white coconut cream solidifies (be sure to read all my tips below on how to buy the right coconut milk for this recipe).
Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce/398 mL) can full-fat coconut milk, chilled for 24 hours*
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) sweetener (maple syrup, powdered sugar, cane sugar, etc), to taste
- 1 vanilla bean, scraped or 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) pure vanilla extract (optional)
Directions
- Chill the can of coconut milk in the fridge for at least 24 hours. I like to keep a few cans in the fridge at all times so I don’t have to wait.
- About 1 hour before making the coconut whip, chill a mixing bowl in the freezer.
- After chilling the can, open the can and scoop the solid white coconut cream into the bowl. Discard the coconut water or save it for another use (such as coconut water ice cubes).
- Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the cream until fluffy and smooth. Add in sweetener to taste and vanilla.
- Return whipped cream to fridge until ready to use. It will firm when chilled and soften at room temperature. This will keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 1 week or you can freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. After chilling in the fridge, allow it to sit at room temperature until it softens slightly and then you can re-whip it as needed.
Tip:
- * Some brands of canned coconut milk will be better than others for making whipped cream, and even some cans within the same brand can vary quite a bit. For whatever reason, the cream and water in some brands or cans do not separate. A few of the most consistent brands for making coconut whipped cream are: Thai Kitchen full-fat coconut milk, Trader Joe’s Coconut Cream (just the cream—no water in the can!), and Native Forest. I always keep at least a few cans of full-fat coconut milk in my fridge at all times just in case I get a “dud”—then I know I have more on hand. If you happen to get a dud don’t be discouraged. Try out one of the brands above, and be sure to chill it for at least 24 hours. Odds are you will find your perfect brand after some trial and error!!
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
There may be a strong urge to shove your face in the bowl.
8. Add in a touch of sweetener and vanilla extract and whip it again.
You can use regular cane sugar, confectioner’s sugar, or even a touch of maple syrup. I find 2-3 teaspoons usually does the trick for my taste buds. I also like to add about 1/4-1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract or a vanilla bean. The vanilla really takes it over the edge – I don’t suggest skipping it!
The first time I made this I could not get over how amaaaaazing it tastes. Eric even said he wouldn’t be able to tell that it wasn’t made from dairy. Two big thumbs up from us!
How to use:
You can use this whipped cream just like regular dairy whipped cream. I like to use it in desserts & frostings, it’s amazing over a simple bowl of fruit or pancakes, and sometimes I add a dollop on my vegan overnight oats for an extra creamy bowl. You can even spoon a bit on top of a pie or fruit crisp or stir some into a bowl of banana soft serve. The options are really endless! Have fun making different kinds of flavours and fooling your friends and family.
If making a whipped frosting, I suggest storing the decorated cake/cupcakes in the fridge until ready to serve.
Storing:
Have leftovers? You can easily store it in the fridge for at least 1.5 weeks (probably longer) in a sealed container. It will firm up a bit more in the fridge. Simply scoop it into a bowl and re-whip it when you need it.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do! For those of you who’ve been making it for a while now, what’s your favourite way to prepare/enjoy it?
So simple! What a great tutorial … maybe I’ll just put whipped cream on everything now? ;)
It’s also lovely on a spoon. ;)
I discovered your tutorial while looking for a brand name whipped cream stabilizer (not gelatin). If I understand your method it actually replaces whipped cream and it doesn’t taste like coconut. If I want that I guess I must substitute coconut extract for vanilla and I may forget about stabilizers.
I will try this recipe.
I was so excited to try this because I LOVE real whipped cream but it is so bad for your health. I tried this (I omitted vanilla because I didn’t have any) and I did not like the taste. It tasted very much like coconut but not in a good way. I love coconut but this tasted funny. I used the organic brand “Native Forest” but it was not good. Is it possible the omission of vanilla made the difference? The taste was so strong, but not good. I wish it had tasted like pure coconut because I LOVE that. But this was different. The date on the can was not expired.
I’ve personally had luck with native forest. It tastes pretty heavenly to me, light and coconutty. Once I tried a brand called polar, I thought it would be good for whipping because the fat content was a little higher and it had more cream than water in the can. It had a bad sort of woody, and bitter taste – I’d say it could have tasted like the husk of the coconut. And it didn’t help to add anything. Maybe it was a bad batch that you got…
I know that politically correct nutrition tells us that real (dairy) whipped cream is bad for us, but, in fact, the opposite is true. Especially if you are using raw cream as I do. I’ve struggled for so many years from many health issues and it wasn’t until I started eating traditionally (diets based on the studies of Dr. Weston A. Price that thoroughly studied very healthy primitive societies before their culture was invaded by modern food) that my health actually started getting better. I even tried vegan for a bit and had a nervous breakdown. I don’t wanna tell anyone else how to eat or make anyone feel bad for being vegan (cause, when done right, is definitely better than the SAD), but it is frustrating that we’re continually told that foods our bodies crave (like cream and butter) are bad for us. It’s all based on the lipid hypothesis which was developed from a very flawed study that was never corrected because it helped the big producers of cheap, denatured vegetable oils sell margarine, shortening and vegetable oil. Epidemiology isn’t concrete, but it shows a very strong link between our decrease in intake of saturated fats (being replaced by either carbs &/or vegetable oils & trans fats) over the last several decades and an increase in several degenerative diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. I know I might get a few negative comments for speaking out about this, but what I have learned has changed my life so much that I want to share it with others. If you are curious, start by reading “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” by Dr. Weston A. Price. It’s just a book, so it can’t hurt you.
Yes, I enjoy the real thing better also. But I’ve never tried whipping it this way before. I bet a little almond extract would help cover any off flavors. I would venture to say that you could go half and half – real whipped cream with the coconut cream, and have a creamy whipped dream! Thanks for the recipe and tutorial.
Thanks you, Salem, for speaking the truth! All the disinformation that runs rampant in today’s culture needs to be dispelled, our health is a stake! Butter is GOOD for you, vegetable oils are BAD for you, meat is GOOD for you, a vegan diet is BAD for you, the Prefect Health Diet is another great source of legitimate, well researched, information.
This is a very simplistic statement based, not on truth but on opinion. Many people seek dairy-free alternatives due to lactose intolerance or because a meat and dairy diet creates intolerable lifetime suffering for animals. There is no dispute on that. On the other issues, there is plenty of scientific research available for people to make their own choices. This forum is about making delicious food and not banging the drum for carnivores.
Zabela, very well said. Vegan diet is the most suitable and healthiest diet for the majority of the human kind. Even though, I never met one, there might be some exceptions (like 0.0002%). How many people are dying of heart problems, cancers, etc that are caused by the consumption of animal flesh and their secreation? How many people are dying from consumption of vegetable and their oils? Although this is a very simplistic way to put it, however the honest scientific research without any hidden agendas (of makind money of it) clearly states that the plant based diet is not only the most effective preventive medicine but as importantly the only sustainable and moraly correct choice for human species. For those who promoting false claims or opinions, educate yourselves and you can start with visiting the website of the PCRM. This group of doctors deserves the highest respect of all.
I’m here cuz my husband is lactose intolerant, I have recently been wheat/gluten free, per my dr, cuz our “food” keeps getting messed with and my body wasn’t happy with it, but we are meat eaters :) I never understood either side putting others down for their food choice. If you are vegan, great! If you are a meat eater, great! Both sides need to stop pushing their food choice way of life onto society. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to worry about then what we all choose to eat/not eat.
Zabela and Daniela; First time I have ever read replies (to a stupid comment) on a forum and felt that they were so well written I didnt need to chime in. Well done!
How can eating fruit, vegetables and nuts be BAD for anybody? Tell that to elephants, cows and giraffes also hindus. If you can’t give up meat that’s fair enough but don’t state as fact that eating fruit, veg, and nuts are bad. I have not eaten meat for 9 months nearly and I gave it up because of the cruelty to the animals. However I can say I don’t miss it and whilst my health in some respects has remained the same (eating too much sugar). I have noticed I am not bloated, and I’m not suffering with wind plus there are lots of meat free alternatives that are really good and lastly I am really enjoying my vegetables and legunes because I flavour them really well. I Love not eating meat.
Tell that to elephants, cows and giraffes?
Seriously?
You are a homo-sapien!….
Cats don’t thrive on dog food. Dogs can get seriously ill on”human” food. Chocolate being totally toxic to them.
Cows have four, count ’em, FOUR stomachs to deal with their herbivore diet. We cannot eat what other mammals thrive on. .. Because we’re all built differently. A diesel engine just ups and quits if given four stroke.
I’m not saying we should be carnivores (only eating meat) or herbivores (only eating vegetable matter) or pescatarian.. We are omnivores. That’s what we evolved into. That’s why we have teeth dedicated to both tearing AND grinding.
At least until we teach the next stage of our evolution anyway.
Really Toby… meat is not healthy for you. I don’t know who your doctor is, but I am a nutritionist and there are too many statics facts and proof out there to say otherwise. It is easy to get defensive when you want to only believe facts that are more suitable for your lifestyle. But why I am really commenting is because this whipped coconut cream was delicious and can’t wait to recommend this to my clients!
to Elemjay: “It is interesting to note that most of our teeth are flat for grinding grains and vegetables-and that our hands are better designed for gathering than for tearing flesh apart. Our saliva contains alpha-amylase whose sole purpose is the digestion of carbohydrates. Alpha-amylase is not found in the saliva of carnivorous animals. Carnivores have the capacity to eliminate large amounts of cholesterol, whereas our livers can excrete only limited amounts. Like herbivores, we sweat to cool our bodies rather than pant like carnivores.
“Of all animals that include meat in their diet, man is the only animal that is unable to break down uric acid to allantoin. This is due to the fact that man does not possess the necessary enzyme uricase. This leads to an increased possibility of an accumulation of uric acid in the body when animal products are eaten. (Uric acid is an intermediary product of metabolism that is associated with various pathological states, including gout.)” http://nutritionstudies.org/get-protein-where/
Animals that are designed to eat meat don’t have seminal vesicles. Animals that are herbivores have seminal vesicles. Humans have seminal vesicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS8cmlbKDTU&index=14&list=PLHor9b_4urNuTICynjjFrXE13n0SpbPsC
I would like to strongly disagree Toby! It is very easy to just say that being vegan is “BAD” for you and eating meat is good just because it’s suits your lifestyle. It’s your choice to eat meat and none of us are saying become vegan, but I will say something when you are actually saying that eating fruits, nuts, and veggies are bad for you. Many people think just because we don’t consume any animal products means we aren’t getting enough protein. That is factually incorrect. If people would actually take the time to research instead of just dismissing it. It is a scientific FACT that avocados, peaches, and figs are very high in protein. Also, kale and other leafy vegetables such as spinach are very high in protein as well. So before you go off and say how being vegan is BAD for you, check your diet because there are MANY studies that show that eating meat over your lifetime (as an typical American diet) you have a high chance of developing cancer, some already developing cancer because of animals proteins and fats. You get plenty of protein in a vegan, plant based diet. “For example, spinach is 51 percent protein; mushrooms, 35 percent; beans, 26 percent; oatmeal, 16 percent; whole wheat pasta, 15 percent; corn, 12 percent; and potatoes, 11 percent.” Please read http://engine2diet.com/question/can-i-get-enough-protein-eating-a-plant-based-diet/. You will find very useful information. Read their website, Rip talks about the effects of animal proteins over the years on your body. So please do not go out saying that being vegan is BAD for when you do not know your facts. And sorry if this came out harsh, I am just very passionate about my health. I am not telling ANYONE to become vegan; it is your choice, your health, your lifestyle. I am just saying, it wouldn’t be bad to look into it or if you continue eating meat and animal proteins, just know that veganism isn’t bad for your health.
There are several studies suggesting you don’t need more than roughly 2-10% protein in your diet. I know. You’re going to say, “What? But I NEED protein! I need it to..build muscles and stuff!” And that is the conventional thought. This is what nutritionists are taught because when you slice open a cow or a chicken or a man and put a slab of his muscle on a slide, what is it made out of? Protein! So, then, you must NEED t I take in protein–ingest it, and plenty of it–to build your muscles, right? Let’s say that’s true. In that case, where does that cow whose big, beefy muscle you were checking out get her protein? Following the nutrition logic we’ve all been fed, to be that big, she’d need to be eating a ton (maybe even literally) of protein, so certainly it can’t be the grass—grass is only 1.8% protein. And what about babies? Human babies, our babies. When they’re born, they’re tiny–mine was only 2.5kilo (about 5 1/2 pounds I think?). By three months old, he was over twice his birthweight! And what did he eat while he did all that growing? Breast milk. Roughly 1% protein. And mum had endless cravings for jacket potatoes (2.4%). We’re both well muscled and happy with just a spoonful of protein in our diets and I hope to keep it that way. It’s only natural.
Dude that is the biggest load of bullshit. Ever. Eating a plant based diet is not nor will it ever be bad for you and it’s funny that you say meat and butter aren’t bad for you considering they are directly linked to a number of diseases that are the leading causes of death in today’s society.
This is quite a general statement based entirely on opinion. Countless medical journals has published research conducted on various forms of diets and their effects on health and chronic diseases. In fact, the best kind of diet which has actually proven – yes, PROVEN – a cure for various forms of Cancer, heart disease and the top 15 chronic illnesses in North America is a vegetarian or even better – vegan diet. And it’s also been proven that meat is a MAJOR contributor for these illnesses. Our bias and habitual love for meat should not stand in the way of scientific facts.
More info and backup for what I mentioned can be found at Michael Greger M.D’s website nutritionfacts.org
I have to disagree. Growing up on a meat farm around dairy farms, most of these people have poor health. I gained so much weight living at home on the farm and lost and kept it off without trying once I left home. Seeing all these farmers face stroke, heart problems, and diabetes, obesity very young has contributed to my loss of interest in animal products. Not to mention the ” China study ” the largest study in history showing proof of the rise on disease once meat and dairy is introduced in the diet. The wars also prove once meat and dairy was removed from the diet diseases decreased immensely. You can eat meat and dairy with little health problems if its under 20% of your total daily diet. I also had a cousin at 38 die of liver cancer this year, which is directly linked to meat anx dairy. 75% of the world is lactose intolerant. That is damming evidence right there!!!
I have been on the search for dairy free recipes that mimic the dairy original. Not because I’ve been told dairy is bad for me, but because it puts my husband and kids in pain and is the cause of sleepless nights full of tummy grumbles. So no, dairy is not good for my family. It is BAD for my family. Gluten messes with my stomach and causes a lot of pain. You shouldn’t make such judgmental blanket statements. My family just started a dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free, and mostly vegan diet. It works well for us. We are already seeing a huge difference. Just because you enjoy a way of eating doesn’t mean you should bash the way other people eat. Just because someone else’s diet doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean it is bad for everyone.
All this talk about vegan is bad for you is really ignorant to the facts. Whatever you choose your diet to be if it’s in moderation is the key.Some people have reactions to certain foods that are too quickly labled as a allergy. There are literally thousands of pages of information about the benefits of the Vegan diet. I have 3 family members that went vegan for health reasons or like my son just to be supportive of his wife. He unexspectedly lost 70lbs. Over a year’s time feels better and looks better then he ever has.He doesn’t work out and has the body of a bronze god!! Ask my daughter in law…lol. But his health and hers is fine.So there is something to be said about not opening your mouth to berate someone’s choice of eating. It makes you look ignorant when you open your mouth without facts. Just sayin..notice I did say anything bad about your choices.
The only reason that cream and/or dairy products are bad for you is because of what we do to the poor animals before and during slaughter.
They are constantly stressed so their bodies fill with stress hormones then you eat them and wonder why you get stressed. In the case of milk the cows have to keep producing calves and when they are born are then removed from their mothers often to the stall next door so that for days the mother can be heard calling for her calf and the calf for its mother. Her milk is reserved for us her poor calf is often denied any and may never see its mother again. The calves if they are lucky are sold off for their little bits of meat or may be left for days without food or water while they wait to get enough to make the journey. Often they don’t make it but die slowly while its milk is used to feed humans. We are the only animal in the world to drink another animals milk.
If I drank milk I think I would choke from the sheer guilt. This is beside any medications that are fed to the animals.
Are you really trying to claim there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that eating a solid lump of animal fat is bad for the circulatory system.
I am not vegan or vegatarian. I eat meat and have absolutely no ethical problem with it. BUT that doesn’t negate my grip on reality and the need for moderation. I have drawn blood from animals who eat a high animal fat diet. It is the color of a strawberry milkshake there are so many fat globules floating around in it. Nurses tell me they see the same in humans. You don’t find this in low animal fat diets. I’m not sure the verdict is in on how healthy a solid lump of vegetable fat is either, but this is a treat, eaten occasionally, so probably not an issue.
Animal proteins are an efficient means of getting all the essential amino acids. You can’t compare a human digestive system with that of an herbivore, especially the ruminents mentioned. We just don’t efficiently digest roughage. If we want a animal protein free diet we have to work hard to insure it is well balanced and meets our protein needs. We are omivours. Our digestive track is designed to eat everything and requires high quality protein. Our problem is we have turned that into meat being the mainstay of most of our diets, We are not carnivores and that diet also leaves out many items essential to our health.
That said, even though I eat meat, please don’t try to inferthat nuts, vegetables, whole grains, etc are not good for me.just because vegetable oils have been hydrogenated to death in order to replace butter.
Besides, isn’t this website really about sharing recipes, and vegan, vegetarian or meat eater, this sounds like a very fun, tasty way to splurge on dessert. I can hardly wait to try it.
Nutrition is very complex and we are very fortunate that as humans, we can figure out many healthy eating programs.
First off, I am a huge supporter of Mr. Price Via Sally Fallon’s book, “Nourishing Traditions”. I am ALWAYS trying to convince people that real, healthy fat is better than the fake stuff- however, coconut fat is very,very, good for you as well. It just happens to be non-dairy.
Salem,
I agree. I too eat all natural foods in reasonable quantities. I think that this is the ticket. In fact I much prefer to eat a bit of butter and cream and feel good about it, then put hydrogenated trans oils like margarine into my system! My body doesn’t know what to make of that – so I stick to nice virgin cold pressed oils and butter, and I am in perfect happy and grateful to be blessed with excellent health! ;-)
All best,
Marie-France
A lot of comments stated that you should return to ‘natural’ products such as butter and cream. But if you think about it, how natural is it really to consume the breastmilk of another species? I can’t believe that we were told for generations that this counts as ‘natural’. I am not saying vegetable fats are any better, just doubting that our stomach can cope with cows milk.(someone said we shouldn’t compare ourselves to cows because they have four stomachs to digest plants. How come that we try to digest their milk then?) If you can enjoy it that’s great, to each its own, but many people have allergies or are lactose intolerant. So it’s great to have that alternative :) besides, coconut is awesome!
I think you may need to watch the documentary, “Forks Over Knives”. And don’t forget to watch the extended interviews DVD that is offered, too. They are only videos. They can’t hurt you. :-)
Why do carnivores come to a vegan blog and bash the vegan way of life. We are not hurting anyone (literally). Please find your recipes on another site if you find these unhealthy.
No kidding! I cook all the time, and I don’t read comments on epicurious that are like, “pineapple? Did you know pineapples are blah blah no evidence and doctor boobahroo actual found pineapples blah blah…”
Whether it’s true or not it’s off topic. On a recipe site comments are more useful if they refine the recipe, provide alternatives or offer feedback.
There’s one thing I’ve never liked about true vegans and vegetarians. Don’t get me wrong I love your food, I think your beliefs are really cool and mature (most of the time) but that one phrase always gets to me “we never hurt anyone”. The better phrase would be “we don’t hurt animals” (humans included in that category). Plants do feel, they have young and have been proven to communicate with them and take care of them. They have REAL emotions and can physically feel your touch and your shears. They just do things differently than walking creatures and just because they don’t talk or scream doesn’t mean that what are doing doesn’t hurt them. I believe in rights for all animals but I also believe plants deserve more respect. to be treated like they are living too (which they are, everyone knows what a dead plant looks like), we may eat them and we do, we have to eat. but to be blind and deaf enough to not acknowledge they are living and that harvest does in fact hurt them and sometimes even kills them? whether we choose to eat meat or not doesn’t matter, how we treat those we do eat, does. at least acknowledge plants are alive and feeling.
You are hurting plants…
I’ve actually learned the diet of our ancestors is the most appropriate. Humans are frugivores IE. eating fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, seeds and nuts with OR without meat. meat only being consumed every now and then. Our canines aren’t long enough to be true carnivores or omnivores and our nashers aren’t large enough or shaped correctly to be true herbivores either. we’re are more in between herbivores and omnivores, the difference is we are capable of omitting meat from our diets (if we want) omnivores can’t they HAVE to eat meat. Our true diet should consist of 85% or more of plant products and the rest meat should we choose. looking at the rest of our frugivore companions the same holds true for them, some monkeys and apes will eat only plant products and some will eat meat (only what they can catch though). I think we should just pick a diet that suits our region rather than expecting every one to eat the exact same foods. some regions can’t eat strictly vegetable diets as its hard to grow food there and other can’t eat too much meat since raising animals may be difficult too.
I agree with mostly what you wrote here about not everyone should eat the exact same diet depending on their environment and situation.
However, your earlier comment about plants having feelings stumps me.
As far as I know no reputable study has ever shown that plants can “feel pain”. They lack the nervous system and brain necessary for this to happen. A plant can respond to stimuli, for example by turning towards the light or closing over a fly, but that is not the same thing. It is also hard to see what purpose pain could serve for the plant, since they can hardly run away.
I agree with you that we should treat all living beings with respect, people, animals, plants and the earth in general since it is a gift given freely to us by God to enjoy. And I also agree that plants have consciousness (in the sense they respond to positive and negative energy around them), as even water is conscious (refer to Dr. Masaru Emoto’s experiments). However, to go as far as saying plants have “feelings” and “emotions”, in my humble opinion is quite far fetched. Emotions like love, jealousy, anger, resentment, joy, guilt are felt by humans. Some emotions are also felt by animals. But it would be a very great feat to prove to me that plants can feel the joy in seeing a sunrise, the sadness in seeing their plant buddy being picked up and moved away, the jealousy towards another more beautiful flower….
Maybe science has not come to a point to be able to prove all this, or maybe I’m not understanding you correctly, but it is very hard for me to take your statement of plants having feelings into serious consideration.
Thank you Salem! The truth of eating whole food and it’s healing properties is refreshing.. Who cares who doesn’t agree! The truth will set you free to really live whole and healthy! Thank you and I will be looking for this book!
Are you kidding me? I feel bad for you. I really do. If that’s how you see veganism you’re sadly being miss informed. Go enjoy the breast milk a raped cow has produced for her baby that was taken from her at birth, fed formula while fretting for his mother then slaughtered. Veganism is a compassionate movement based on the fact that animal exploitation is just flat out wrong. It has nothing to do with sales in vegetable shortening. Wowzers.
I am an herbivore and have been my entire life. I am 45. I am extremely healthy. I am healthier than most people that I know. My grandparents, who raised dairy cows and ate meat, died young of heart problems and diabetes related causes. This caused my parents to forgo all animal products. They raised me and my siblings vegan, way before vegan was all the rage. I am thankful of this in so many ways. Whether it’s for ethical, environmental, or health reasons, vegan is the way to go, for the optimal healthy lifestyle (especially if you are very active, like myself). My children are being raised vegan and I hope they continue the tradition.
Ok hold on a sec. Did you know that most of the things our taste buds crave are not good for our bodies?! For example: salty msg flavoured chips, sugary doughnuts, white bread, KFC, mcdonalds hamburgers and other fast food items…. We tend to crave food by the extremes (salty, sweet, fatty foods.) Major food productions know this and have used it well to their advantage. Craving a particular food, does not mean that it is “naturally” healthy for you. It only means that your brain was enjoying it while eating it, and wants to experience that same amount of joy..thus sending out signals that you “NEED” to eat that really deliciously greasy French fry you had last weekend or that slice of store bought Oreo cake you consumed a few days ago.
My understanding is that we have cravings when our bodies are not getting something they need. They are craving nutrients, which are obtained through eating, and if you eat junk like you mentioned then your body will be a little confused about what’s available and how to meet its needs. I don’t eat those things and so never crave them. Sometimes I really want to eat a banana or something, but nothing at the level of craving because I eat real food. Why would your body ever truly want you to eat msg? It doesn’t get anything from that.
What we tend to forget is that we can also crave cigarettes, coffee and alkohol. It is all about what we are used to. But there are different kinds of cravings. We really need to think about our needs a little bit. I was craving chocolate once a month, turned out it was really just iron I needed. I included more lentils in my diet and had no cravings ever since. Unfortunately we can train our brain to want certain things as well that doesn’t mean that your body needs them. It is just conditioned to seek that stimulant which doesn’t need to have any nutritional value.
Thank you for your well researched opinion. I strongly agree.
Well, for me the Lactose is a real trigger so the cow’s milk – raw or processed is not an option as is the case for many people who cannot tolerate dairy and gluten. So I appreciate any alternative recipes. I am actually making my own gluten free birthday cake and looking for a recipe for a not too sweet frosting at the moment.
Exactly! If you don’t have a dairy allergy or intolerance, there’s no reason to replace fat from cows milk with fat from a coconut.
Whipped cream is delicious.
However, for people who can’t have dairy, this is probably the best replacement.
May I suggest the breakdown the person had was not related to being a vegan.
Propaganda and rubbish. People have breakdowns (horrible term) for unrelieved stress of maybe illness or eating incorrect diet.
Vegan diet can be very healthy.
May I suggest the breakdown the person had was not related to being a vegan.
Propaganda and rubbish. People have breakdowns (horrible term) for unrelieved stress or maybe illness or eating incorrect diet. Or major loss
Vegan diet can be very healthy.
And well researched.
I eat whole grain whole food vegan, little oil and lots of vegetables, have done for nearly fifteen years, am 66 very fit and healthy.
If you don’t have a problem with dairy whipped cream, then why are you here? I am allergic, as are most that have seeked out this recipe. If you don’t want to make anyone else feel bad, here’s a thought, don’t!
Hi, Salem. It was nice of you to share, and I’m sure some non-vegans will appreciate it, but I think most long term vegans avoid dairy due to the animal abuse involved, with the health concerns being secondary. You’re correct about the low fat craze taking us away from healthy, saturated fats like avocado and coconut fat, of course, but this recipe uses just that.
Since you’re a reader and you recommend books for others, I’m sure you won’t mind me recommending some reading for you. This is what the Humane Society has to say about dairy: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/hsus-the-welfare-of-cows-in-the-dairy-industry.pdf Go ahead – it’s just an article – it can’t hurt you.
You may think that organic, pasture fed dairy is exempt, but no. There’s lots a reading out there and clearly you’re a good researcher, so I’ll leave you with one more easy read: http://www.alternet.org/story/145378/got_milk_a_disturbing_look_at_the_dairy_industry.
Last thought: there is a misconception about dairy being a basic food group. Only a small number of people in northern Europe evolved to tolerate milk further into their lives and they developed bovine milk as a food source. The practice spread, but the tolerance only developed somewhat. After a certain age, most of us feel much better when we stop using it.
I have read nutrition and physical degeneration, and found it fascinating, I think everyone should read it. It provides clarity from all the hype surrounding diet these days, somethings good for you one minute, bad the next. At the end of the day we are animals and should just eat what nature provides. We have lost the art of preparing foods properly, most cultures ferment their grains. Also todays mass production and soil quality means less nutrition in food.
Please do some reading, real cream is one of the healthiest fats you can eat! Do no deprive yourself of one of nature’s beautiful foods. I would venture to guess that you drink skim milk also, sad if true.
That being said, Coconut cream really is healthier than dairy cream.
It’s not healthier for the dairy cow! Where is the conversation about the ethics of factory farming!
milk has pus, urine feces, and usually antibiotics and the pain and suffering of the cow in it…
YES, it makes a huge difference! You absolutely need sweetener and vanilla. I use maple syryp (1tbsp) and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. It’s delicious.
I was going to say, it may have been rancid and or you could be tasting the metal…i hope someday, they’ll put this stuff in glass jars or some new natural hemp ‘plastic’…
It does taste like coconut. Coconut heaven.
They are one of my favorites! They are pretty dramatic recipie, yet natural at the same time. Thank you!
trade aid coconut milk works well – it is fair trade BPA free and even though guar gum is the only added ingredient it still separates beautifully (even in my pantry in the winter never mind the fridge)
LOL!! me to
I am so excited about this recipe. I hate using cool whip on my coconut cake because of the chemicals. This will be a perfect. Coconut all the way!
Looks great! Thanks for the tip about refrigerating it before whipping. I can’t wait to try!
Simple is the name of the game for me today, and the title of my blog post :)
I love all of the pictures because it helps me visualize (that is the type of learner I am) what things should look like.
I cannot wait to give this a try. One more thing to check off my list as I make my way into a full on vegan lifestyle.
Happy Thursday to you Angela!
So glad to hear that! Good luck!
I’ve been vegan for 6 years & I’m still coming across lovely tricks like this!
I have a funny story about whipped cream. My husband made me a gluten-free, vegan cake for my birthday (how sweet, right? especially since he is neither vegan nor gluten-free AND belongs to the sex that is typically not known for baking skills). He surprised me with the cake, beautifully topped with strawberries and…cool whip. I was thrilled he went to all the effort to make the cake so I happily ate it. Now I have a little trick to pass along, so when next birthday rolls around, he’ll be fully prepared :).
hahah that’s cute. Now he has a solution! That reminds me of when Eric put an entire banana peel into my Green Monster the first time he made one.
Oh my goodness. A whole banana peel. I love it. That must have been
hilarious. Just tell me you didn’t find that out AFTER you tried it?!
I chugged it right before leaving for a friend’s wedding that I was a bridesmaid in (!!)…and later Eric told me casually what he put in it.
Oddly enough I read an article the other day touting the health benefits of banana peels. We had a good chuckle about that!
So, you didn’t notice anything *weird* about the smoothie? You must have a great blender!
You can do that very same thing with the can and use the same part for no-churn coconut milk ice cream! (I just bookmarked this the other day and haven’t had a chance ti try it!) vegan-magic.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-churn-coconut-chocolate-ice-cream.html
I was thinking that you could easily turn this into ice cream. I was thinking of flavoring it and putting it in the ice cream maker for a bit. But that works, too. :-)
I’ve heard of that too! Will check it out.
How easy and awesome is this?! I think I’m one of the only people who’s never heard of this before! I love this and would definitely prefer to use this over Cool Whip which tends to be my family’s first choice ;-) Thanks for the great tutorial!!
i am so excited! I have food allergies, have not had a descent dessert in a yr and a half!
oh, are you kidding? coconut whip cream?? non dairy! and ice cream??? Thank you GOD!!!
Andrea, here’s a little experiment that may end your family’s love of cool whip. It sure did it for me & I could eat a whole tub of it with a spoon BEFORE this… http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/horrifying-12-day-cool-whip-experiment/
The pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to lick my computer screen.
This is how I make it too!
It also stores and defrost great from the freezer. I fill my silicone ice cube trays with double batchs for a single serving size any time I feel the urge
This is all too much for me…as I luvvvvv coconut. Freeze the coconut whipped cream in silicone ice cream trays!!………..thx so much Emma!!! and thanx for the tutorial Angela!!
Brilliant!
I’m so glad you shared this! I tried to make it one night for a dairy free strawberry shortcake and it did not turn out at all! Now I know not to use the coconut “milk” part :) So So yum!
I make my coconut whip cream exactly like this! my husband loves it :)
Absolutely BRILLIANT!! I can so see this on top of a banana cream pie…or anything that will stand still.
Ah, how funny! This was one of the first things I tried when going vegan! I didn’t even know whether coconut cream would whip at all – obviously it did and it made my day. ;)
Love this. I’ve never thought to whip coconut whip cream. Will definitely bookmark this page.
I was at the grocery store last night looking for coconut milk to use for my breakfast and saw that there was Goya brand cream of coconut – which I think is just the coconut crea. I may have to try this!
I’ve heard of that brand I think! Awesome. I have yet to see it, but will keep my eyes peeled. let me know how it goes!
It’s sweetened.
thanks for coming out and sharing the secret! I must admit I should get back on to doing this more regularly again too, remembering how easy it really is. I’ve been using a can of soy whip, but it, well, taste like soya..
ps. Helene please don’t lick your screen, make the damn cream instead ! ; )
You just made my dairy free day!!
I think I may have to try and freeze this and see what kind of ice cream concoction I can come up with!
I have wanted to try this for so long! I made a coconut flour “fluff” to top my key lime smoothie today, but I am thinking this would be over-the-top. Must buy coconut milk.
I always wondered how to do this – so useful! Thanks!
Mmm, I need to try again! Tried it recently, and it was a big-o fail. I never got all that thick stuff from the can, and no amount of beating helped. It was definitely a full-fat coconut milk, too. I’ll try a different brand.
Just a tip i have learned – gently shake the can before you buy it. if you hear it swishing much, it won’t separate into the thick cream and water parts- don’t buy it! find a can that sounds solid!
great tip, thank you!
yeah, mine separated but both parts were liquid so flipping the can half mixed them up again.