Coffee Ice Cream With Whipping Cream

Asked by Nahymt. Answered on 22nd October 2012

Full question

I live in Indonesia and we don't have double cream, only whipping cream. After searching everywhere, the only thing I found was a little jar of Devon Double Cream, but it seems very thick and not whippable. I attempted to make Nigella's No Churn Coffee Ice Cream and quite failed. The condensed milk and whipping cream just wouldn't whip up at all. I tried adding a little of the Devon Double Cream, hoping it would help with the process but didn't work either. So all I got was some cream with some air bubbles, that's it. So any way of subtituting the double cream or working a way around it? And how can I whip whipping cream with vanilla extract? It will still whip but really takes a long time and is not as firm as without vanilla extract. Thank you.

Our answer

Usually cream needs to have at least 30% butterfat content to whip successfully. The UK has double cream with a fat content of 45-48% which whips very successfully if other ingredients are added, but this can be more difficult in countries which only have whipping cream as any added ingredients will "dilute" the fat content and prevent the cream from whisking up properly.

Unfortunately the Double Devon Cream sold in jars in many international markets is not the same as standard British double cream. It is a very thick cream, similar to clotted cream, which is heat treated to give it a long life. It is suitable for cooking, spreading and spooning but not for whipping. It is however very good with scones and jam.

The good news is that it is possible to make the No Churn Coffee Ice Cream with whipping cream, but you need to make it in two steps rather than in one step. First whip the cream (on its own) in a bowl until it reaches soft peaks. It helps if the bowl, beater and cream are all well chilled. Next mix together the condensed milk, espresso powder and coffee liqueur together in a large bowl then gently fold in the whipped cream. Freeze this mixture as directed in the recipe.

If you are flavouring your whipped cream with vanilla or alcohol then again add these after the cream has been whipped, rather than at the beginning. Unfortunately whipped cream made in this way does not stand for very long (it will start to separate) so make flavoured cream just before using.