Calories in Whipped Cream: Full Nutrition Breakdown

Aerosol whipped cream, commonly known as canned whipped cream, is a light dairy topping made from cream, sugar, and a propellant gas like nitrous oxide that gives it its airy texture. Despite its indulgent reputation, a standard serving is surprisingly low in calories because whipped cream is mostly air by volume. It provides small amounts of fat, protein, and calcium per serving.

Calories by serving size:

The calorie count in aerosol whipped cream is notably low per serving because the nitrous oxide propellant incorporates a large amount of air into the cream. However, it is easy to exceed a single serving since two tablespoons is a relatively small amount compared to what many people actually dispense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does canned whipped cream compare to homemade whipped cream?

Canned aerosol whipped cream has about 8 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, while homemade whipped cream made from heavy cream has roughly 50 to 55 calories for the same volume. The difference is that canned whipped cream contains significantly more air and less actual cream per serving. Homemade whipped cream is denser, richer, and has a higher fat content per spoonful.

How does Cool Whip compare to real whipped cream?

Cool Whip is a non-dairy whipped topping that contains about 25 calories per 2-tablespoon serving compared to 8 calories in aerosol whipped cream. Cool Whip is made primarily from water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and corn syrup, so it has a different nutritional profile and ingredient list than dairy-based whipped cream. Real whipped cream is the better choice if you prefer a more natural, dairy-based option.

How many calories are in a dollop of whipped cream?

A typical dollop of whipped cream from an aerosol can is roughly 2 tablespoons, which contains about 8 calories. If you use a more generous serving, a large dollop of about 4 tablespoons adds approximately 15 calories. This makes it one of the lowest-calorie dessert toppings available, especially compared to chocolate sauce or caramel drizzle.

How many calories are in whipped cream made from heavy cream at home?

Homemade whipped cream made from heavy whipping cream contains about 52 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, largely from fat. If you add sugar during whipping, each teaspoon of sugar adds about 16 calories to the total batch. The calorie difference between homemade and canned is significant because homemade whipped cream is denser and contains more actual cream per serving.

Is whipped cream high in sugar?

Aerosol whipped cream contains only about 0.6 grams of carbohydrates per 2-tablespoon serving, of which roughly 0.4 grams comes from sugar. This is a very small amount compared to most dessert toppings. However, consuming large quantities can add up, and flavored whipped creams or whipped toppings like Cool Whip tend to contain more added sugar per serving.