Whipped cream is a light and fluffy dairy product that can add delicious flavor and texture to desserts, coffee drinks, and more. But is whipping cream safe to eat on a gluten-free diet?
If you follow a gluten-free diet, you may be wondering if whipping cream is gluten free? The good news is that regular whipping cream is naturally gluten-free! Whipping cream contains no gluten ingredients.
However, some flavored and processed whipped cream products could potentially contain gluten from added ingredients. Let's take an in-depth look at what whipping cream is, the ingredients that make it gluten-free, and how to find safe brands of whipped cream.
What Is Whipping Cream?
Before diving into whether or not whipping cream contains gluten, let’s first take a look at what exactly whipping cream is.
Whipping cream, also sometimes called heavy cream, is a high-fat dairy product made from the fatty portion of milk. Whipping cream contains at least 30% milk fat, giving it a thick, rich consistency.
To make whipping cream, the milk fat is separated from the rest of the milk during processing. The cream rises to the top naturally due to its high-fat content. This layer of cream is then skimmed off the top to make whipping cream.
Whipping cream can be whipped into soft peaks to create whipped cream. When you whip cream, it incorporates air which allows it to become light and fluffy. This is why it's called "whipping" cream!
The high fat content is what allows the cream to whip up so well. Lower fat dairy products like milk or half and half cannot be whipped in the same way.
Key Takeaway: Whipping cream is a high-fat dairy product made by skimming the fatty cream off the top of milk during processing. It can be whipped into soft peaks to make whipped cream.
What Ingredients Are in Whipping Cream?
Now that we know what whipping cream is, let’s take a look at the ingredients that make it up. This will tell us if it contains any sources of gluten.
Whipping cream only contains one ingredient: cream. Unlike other dairy products, whipping cream does not contain any thickeners, sweeteners, flavors, or other additives.
Cream is naturally gluten-free. Dairy products like milk, cream, butter, and cheese do not naturally contain any gluten.
However, some brands of whipping cream may contain additional ingredients like:
- Carrageenan - a thickener made from seaweed
- Mono and diglycerides - emulsifiers
- Polysorbate 80 - an emulsifier
- Natural flavors
Importantly, none of these additional ingredients contain gluten. They are used to stabilize the cream or add flavor but are not sources of gluten.
So in its pure form, whipping cream is entirely gluten-free. Even when extra ingredients are added, they do not introduce any risk of gluten.
Key Takeaway: Whipping cream contains only cream as the main ingredient, which is naturally gluten-free. Other ingredients sometimes added are also gluten-free.
Are Flavored Whipping Creams Gluten-Free?
While regular whipping cream is gluten-free, you do need to be more careful when it comes to flavored whipping creams.
Manufacturers produce many flavored whipping cream options, including:
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Chocolate
- Pumpkin spice
- Maple
- Irish cream
While these flavored whipping creams still start with a gluten-free base of regular cream, some of the added flavorings could potentially contain gluten.
For example, chocolate or hazelnut flavors may contain ingredients like malt flavoring. Irish cream styles often contain whiskey, which can be a source of gluten from barley. Pumpkin spice flavors could contain glutenous spices or natural flavors.
So you'll want to check the ingredients list carefully on any flavored whipping cream. Make sure none of the flavorings or additives contain gluten before consuming. Stick to plain whipping cream if you're unsure.
Some people who are extremely sensitive prefer to avoid flavored cream options altogether since cross-contamination could occur during processing on shared equipment.
Popular Brands of Gluten-Free Whipping Cream
Many major brands of whipping cream are made without any gluten-containing ingredients. Here are some of the most popular gluten-free whipping cream options:
Land O'Lakes
- Ingredients: Cream, skim milk, carrageenan, mono, and diglycerides, polysorbate 80
- Labeled as "gluten-free" on Land O'Lakes website
Horizon Organic
- Ingredients: Grade A organic cream, gellan gum
- Certified organic and verified gluten-free
Breakstone's
- Ingredients: Cream, carrageenan, mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 80
- Listed as "gluten-free" by Kraft Heinz
Great Value
- Ingredients: Cream, skim milk, carrageenan, mono, and diglycerides, polysorbate 80
- Labeled as "gluten-free" on Walmart website
Kroger
- Ingredients: Cream, skim milk, carrageenan, mono, and diglycerides, polysorbate 80
- Listed as "gluten-free" on Kroger website
As long as you stick to unflavored whipping creams and verify gluten-free status, these major dairy brands are all safe bets. Of course, always check labels for any gluten-containing additives before consuming.
Uses for Gluten-Free Whipping Cream
Now that you know regular whipping cream is gluten-free, how can you use it? Here are some of the most delicious ways to enjoy whipping cream on a gluten-free diet:
- Whip it into whipped cream - Sweeten it with sugar or maple syrup and top your gluten-free cakes, pies, and ice cream sundaes.
- Add richness to desserts - Fold it into mousses, puddings, ice cream bases, and more.
- Make dairy-free whipped cream - Whip chilled full-fat coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative.
- Whip into coffee drinks - Add a dollop to your morning coffee, lattes, and hot chocolate.
- Enrich savory dishes - Stir into sauces, soups, and mashed potatoes.
- Bake into desserts - Incorporate into recipes like icebox cakes, cream pies, and more.
- DIY whipped coffee drinks - Whip with instant coffee for a homemade Dalgona coffee-like beverage.
Whipping cream is so versatile! With its rich flavor and indulgent texture, it’s an ideal gluten-free addition to all types of sweet and savory recipes.
Key Takeaway: Gluten-free whipping cream can be used in endless ways, from topping desserts to enriching savory dishes and baked goods.
Difference Between Heavy Cream and Whipping Cream
You may also see products labeled as heavy cream in addition to whipping cream. So what's the difference?
Heavy cream and whipping cream are essentially the same product. The names are used interchangeably. Whipping cream may also be called heavy whipping cream.
Both refer to the high-fat cream containing at least 30% milk fat. This cream can be whipped into soft peaks, unlike lighter cream products.
The only difference is that heavy cream typically has a slightly higher fat content, between 36-40%. But in practical use, heavy cream and whipping cream can be used interchangeably in recipes without any issue.
No matter what it's labeled, plain cream with a high-fat percentage contains no gluten and is suitable for gluten-free diets.
Finding Gluten-Free Whipped Toppings
In addition to whipping your own cream, you can also buy ready-to-use whipped cream in cans and tubs. However, you need to be more careful with flavored whipped toppings.
Popular "whipped" toppings like Cool Whip and Reddi Wip are highly processed and contain ingredients like corn syrup and hydrogenated oils rather than pure cream.
Some flavors include gluten-containing additives like maltodextrin, barley malt extract, or hydrolyzed wheat protein. Always check the labels and ingredient lists carefully.
That being said, some basic whipped topping options are gluten-free, including:
- Cool Whip Original - Simply contains water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, less than 2% of natural and artificial flavors, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate and guar gum.
- Reddi Wip Original - Contains cream, water, corn syrup, sugar, natural flavor, mono, and diglycerides, guar gum, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, and nitrous oxide propellant.
If in doubt, your safest bet is to just whip your own fresh cream to ensure it's 100% gluten-free!
FAQ
Is whipping cream gluten-free if made from scratch?
Yes! Homemade whipping cream made by hand from just heavy cream is completely gluten-free.
Can you whip light cream?
No, only heavy whipping cream or heavy cream contains enough fat (at least 30%) to whip up into whipped cream.
Is coconut milk gluten-free and can it be whipped?
Full-fat coconut milk is naturally gluten-free and can be chilled and whipped as a dairy-free whipping cream substitute.
Are liquid non-dairy creamers gluten-free?
Some are, but you need to check ingredient lists. Many contain gluten sources like maltodextrin and hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Is Reddi Wip gluten-free?
Reddi Wip Original is gluten-free, but some flavored varieties may contain gluten. Always verify gluten-free status before consuming flavored products.
Conclusion
Whipping cream is considered gluten-free. Pure whipping cream contains only cream made from milk, which does not naturally contain gluten.
Even additional ingredients like stabilizers and emulsifiers added to store-bought cream are gluten-free. Just be cautious of flavored whipping creams, as added flavors could introduce gluten.
Major brands of whipping cream explicitly state their products are gluten-free. So you can confidently enjoy pure whipping cream, whip it into decadent whipped cream, and incorporate it into all kinds of delicious gluten-free recipes.
With its rich, indulgent texture and natural lack of gluten, whipping cream is a great way to add flavor and excitement to a gluten-free diet!