French press whipped cream is enjoyable. However does it truly work?

In my 4 years as editor of the King Arthur weblog, one in all our hottest posts has been our tribute to the sensible magic of Mason jar whipped cream.

It’s straightforward to grasp why! It’s a very useful tip — Mason jar whipped cream is a useful technique to put together freshly whipped cream on-the-go for those who’re bringing dessert to a vacation get together, or to chop down on dishes for those who’re making it at residence.

However as nice as this technique is, it’s not good: Shaking the jar can take as much as two minutes of vigorous jostling, and although that doesn’t sound like very lengthy, after 30 seconds or so your arm may be beginning to really feel the burn. So our ears perked up once we heard about one other quirky whipped cream technique that may be even higher: making your whipped cream in a French press.

We put it to the check, asking Recipe Editor Kye Ameden to offer it a spin. She poured cream into the French press, then pushed the plunger up and down for about 4 minutes, till the cream thickened. The decision: “It really works surprisingly effectively!” Kye reported. “Whereas it nonetheless takes some guide effort to pump the press vigorously, it’s simpler than shaking a jar, which actually typically works me up right into a sweat.” (Kye is a marathon runner and endurance athlete, in order that’s saying quite a bit.)

French press whipped cream is enjoyable. However does it truly work? — If utilizing confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in your whipped cream, add it on to the cream earlier than pumping.

One other good thing about this technique? It’s onerous to overwhip the cream, one thing that may simply occur for those who’re whipping with a stand mixer, and even by hand or in a Mason jar. However as a result of the plunger of the press has to maneuver by way of the cream with every pump, it’s onerous to maintain agitating the combination previous the purpose of soppy peaks — the perfect state.

And similar to Mason jar whipped cream, there’s one thing whimsical about making your whipped cream within the French press. “It’s cute to serve the whipped cream straight from the press with a spoon!” says Kye. “You possibly can put it on the desk subsequent to a pie or crisp as a enjoyable serving vessel.”

If you end up bringing a vacation pie to Thanksgiving or one other celebration this 12 months, pack your French press and a few heavy cream, too. When it comes time to serve the pie, slip away and begin pumping. You’ll have contemporary whipped cream able to go along with minimal effort, and a enjoyable get together trick besides.

French press with plunger pulled out to show whipped cream made with the press — This technique is good for whipped cream with tender peaks.

Suggestions for making French press whipped cream

Preserve your cream chilly: Identical to whipped cream made in a bowl, you want to preserve your heavy cream chilly. When cream is chilly the fats is extra stable, secure, and able to holding air bubbles, so it’ll whip quicker and extra successfully.

Don’t overdo it: This technique works finest with a small quantity of cream relative to the scale of the French press. Don’t fill it greater than 1/3 filled with cream initially. However that stated, ensure you have sufficient cream within the container that the pump reaches all the best way down into it.

Use your ears: You possibly can inform the whipped cream is shut while you hear a slight sucking sound as you pull up on the pump. After that, take a peek at your whipped cream at intervals to examine on its progress, stopping when it reaches your required consistency.

Embrace the loss: The one draw back to this technique is that you’ll lose a small portion of your whipped cream to the press filter — sadly, it comes with the territory.

You’ve acquired the whipped cream lined … however what in regards to the pie? Discover 15 of our favourite pie recipes, from pumpkin to apple and extra.

Cowl photograph and meals styling by Liz Neily.