How long is Cool Whip good for after the expiration date?

How long is Cool Whip good for after the expiration date?

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Whether it's a mixing bowl of half-eaten whipped cream or several barely used aerosol cans, we are usually left with more whipped cream than we know what to do with. Don't let it languish in the refrigerator until the next pie comes along. Whipped cream, like any dairy product, does not last indefinitely. Knowing the shelf life of whipped cream, in its various forms, will help you plan accordingly.

Shelf Life of Whipped Cream

Homemade whipped cream will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Store-bought whipped cream in an aerosol can will last up to 3 weeks past the date marked on the can. Unopened whipped topping in a tub, usually found in the freezer case, will last up to 2 weeks past the date printed on the tub or up to 10 days after opening.

When to Discard

Despite the shelf life guidelines above, if you suspect your whipped cream has gone bad, don't hesitate to throw it out. Signs that homemade whipped cream has expired include separation into a liquid and flat, white cream or an off-putting or sour odor. Store-bought canned whipped cream or whipped topping will turn from a white or cream color to yellow and may develop a paste-like consistency.

Proper Storage

To maximize the shelf life of your whipped cream, keep it refrigerated until ready to use and return it to the refrigerator as soon as possible. If you must leave it out, store it on ice. Storing homemade whipped cream in an airtight container will keep out contaminants and moisture. Homemade whipped cream can also be frozen for up to 2 months. An opened tub of whipped topping can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months. Do not attempt to freeze whipped cream in an aerosol can.

Creative Substitutes

If you find your whipped cream has gone bad, there are alternatives you can try. One interesting method is to chill a can of coconut milk, then scoop out just the solidified coconut fat from the top and whip it as you normally would, adding vanilla and sugar to taste. Note that this will result in coconut-flavored whipped cream. Another substitute is whipped evaporated milk, but be sure to chill the evaporated milk before attempting to whip it. Sweeten it with powdered sugar and vanilla, as desired.

Who isn’t a fan of whipped cream! From cakes, desserts, ice creams, fruit salads to hot and cold drinks, whipped cream is the perfect addition for a creamy and yummy flavor!

Also, if you love baking, this sweet ingredient is probably a staple in your pantry. And why not! It is extremely delicious and versatile.

But most recipes usually call for a small amount of whipped cream. This means you are mostly left with more whipped cream than expected.

So, what do you do with the remaining whipped cream? How can you store it? Or, how long does whipped cream last until it expires completely?

If you want to know the answers to the above questions and learn everything about its shelf life and storage, you’re going to want to read this article till the very end!

Whipped cream is a dairy product. Hence, like any other dairy products, whipped cream does not have an indefinite shelf life.

After a certain period, whipped cream will start losing its quality over time. And if not stored properly, the degradation phase will speed up. Hence, your whipped cream will eventually become stale.

However, the good news is you can slow down this degradation process by practicing proper storage practices. When stored in ideal places, you can actually extend the shelf life of whipped cream.

Before diving any deeper, know that store-bought whipped cream usually comes with a “sell by date.” Do not mistake this for an expiry date. This date simply means the date by when it should be sold.

Hence, you can continue using your whipped cream even after it crosses its sell-by date. But make sure that it does not show any signs of spoilage (which we will discuss below).

As a general estimate, whipped cream can have a shelf life of 2 days or up to 3 months. This is a wide range.

And that’s because the shelf life of whipped cream will vary depending upon its type, packaging, manufacturing method, and storage.

Make sure to store your whipped cream in the refrigerator at all times. Also, ensure that you store them in an airtight container.

For aerosol whipped cream cans, you can store them in their original packaging. Just make sure to put on the cap and completely seal them before putting them in the fridge.

Different types of whipped cream have different shelf lives. Unopened aerosol whipped cream can last for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge past its printed date.

In contrast, homemade whipped cream may last for a maximum of 3 days. Additionally, cool whip cream has a shelf life of around 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Once opened, aerosol whipped cream can last for up to three months if you store them completely sealed inside the fridge. Opened cool whip cream usually lasts for a week.

You also have the option of freezing your whipped cream if you want to maximize its shelf life. Frozen whipped cream can last for up to 3-4 months.

The ideal temperature of refrigerating your whipped is below 40°F.

How to Tell if Whipped Cream is Bad?

Maybe you’ve just discovered a can of whipped cream sitting for the longest time in your refrigerator.

Or maybe, you bought dozens of whipped cream from the supermarket sale. There comes a time when you’re left wondering, “are these cans of whipped cream still edible?”

The immediate thing you may do is check its “sell before” date. However, even past its sell before date, you can consume whipped cream unless it shows some obvious hints that the whipped cream has gone bad.

So, how can you tell if your whipped cream has gone bad? It’s quite easy. Here’s how:

Whipped cream that has spoiled will show some changes in consistency. It may become runnier than usual.

Additionally, water may start to separate from the cream. If you notice any of these signs, you should discard the whipped cream immediately.

Bad whipped cream may have an off and flat color (usually cream or yellowish). You may also notice a clumpy and thicker-than-usual texture.

Whipped cream that has gone bad will give an off and sour aroma.

Conclusion

Everybody enjoys a delicious whipped cream topping on ice creams and waffles every now and then!

Some people even enjoy eating whipped cream on its own. Though we don’t recommend you do that, as it leads to weight gain, treating yourself every once in a while won’t do any harm!

Whipped cream is extremely versatile. Hence, you can use it in several recipes to create some of the most delicious and creamiest snacks and dishes.

And when you are left with excess whipped cream, simply store it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge.

Make sure not to store it in the refrigerator door. You are going to want to place your whipped cream right in the body of the refrigerator.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • Whipped cream
  • Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
  • Labels and markers

Instructions

  1. Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  2. Check the "Best-by-date" to know when it expires.
  3. Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).

Can you eat expired Cool Whip?

Most store-bought whipped creams have “sell by” dates that you can utilize as a reference. Usually, you can still consume Cool Whip or any whipped cream brand for a little while past its expiration date.

How do you know when Cool Whip goes bad?

Take a small bite to taste-test your product before using it. If it tastes even a little bit off, you are better off buying a new product because spoiled dairy products can make you sick. You can also look for mold on the Cool Whip.

Is whipped cream safe to eat after expiration date?

Heavy cream, also known as Heavy Whipping Cream, comes with an expiry date. Usually, whipping cream can be consumed even one week after the expiry date. But consuming it weeks and months after the date of expiry can cause food poisoning or stomach upsets. And it's best you avoid doing that.