How Long Can Whipped Cream Sit Out at Room Temperature?
Whipped cream is an ideal topping for desserts, baked goods, milkshakes, and more. It is made from dairy cream, which is whipped until it is fluffy and light.
If you are serving whipped cream as a topping for desserts or milkshakes, and need to leave it out for everyone to dish up, you might be worried about how long the whipped cream can be left out for.
How long can whipped cream sit out at room temperature?
Whipped cream is a dairy, which means that it has the potential to spoil easily. Due to this, whipped cream should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. After 2 hours at room temperature, the risk of the whipped cream spoiling increases.
It is so important to store whipped cream properly, to ensure it stays as fresh for as long as possible, so read on to find out all you need to know!
Is It Safe to Leave Whipped Cream Out?
It can be really easy to forget the can of whipped cream sitting on your counter as you are packing up for the evening, or you might find it easier to leave the whipped cream out on the counter as your guests dish up.
As a dairy product, whipped cream needs to be refrigerated, and ideally, it should not be left out at room temperature. However, it can be left out for a short amount of time, such as when you are dishing up your dessert.
It is fine to leave whipped cream on the counter as you are making dessert or beverages, but you need to make sure you are conscious of how long the whipped cream has been left out for, and that you put it away as soon as you are done using it, rather than leaving it to sit out longer.
So, while it isn’t ideal to leave whipped cream out on the counter at room temperature, it is fine to do so if it isn’t for too long.
How Long Can Whipped Cream Be Left Out?
As mentioned above, whipped cream can be left at room temperature while you use it to make desserts, milkshakes, or to top a hot chocolate, but you do need to be wary of how long it has been left out for.
The general rule is that whipped cream, and most fresh dairy products, should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. After 2 hours at room temperature, there is an increased risk of bacteria growth, and therefore an increase in risk of foodborne illness.
| Type of Whipped Cream | Room Temperature (Max Time) | Fridge (Max Time) | Freezer (Max Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade (Unstabilized) | 1–2 hours | 1 day | Not recommended |
| Homemade (Stabilized) | 1–2 hours | 3–4 days | Up to 3 months (may lose shape) |
| Store-Bought (Aerosol Can) | 1–2 hours | 1–2 weeks (check date) | Not recommended |
| Cool Whip (Tub) | 1–2 hours | 1–2 weeks (check date) | Up to 3 months |
While 2 hours is the recommendation, it is best not to leave whipped cream out at room temperature for longer than an hour, especially if you are in a warmer climate, or it is the summer months.
Being exposed to a higher room temperature for even just an hour can increase bacteria growth, and it could cause the whipped cream to be unsafe to eat. If possible, make sure to put the whipped cream back in the fridge within an hour, or less if you are able to.
What Is Room Temperature?
Room temperature might seem pretty self-explanatory, but there is an actual temperature range that is considered ‘room temperature’ and which food should not be left at for longer than 2 hours.
This is also known as the food danger zone, where the temperature range of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is considered unsafe for food if left out for longer than 2 hours.
Further to this, if the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then food should not be left out for longer than 1 hour, as bacteria is able to grow faster in this warmer temperature.
Bacteria grow most rapidly in the 40 to 140-degree Fahrenheit temperature range, and if food is left out at this temperature zone for longer than 2 hours, then there is a good chance that the food might be unsafe to eat.
Does Cool Whip Need to Be Refrigerated?
Cool Whip is one of the most popular brands of whipped cream, and it seems to last for quite some time in the fridge.
Being in a can, and sealed in so well, you might think that Cool Whip can be left out at room temperature for a little longer than homemade whipped cream, but this is definitely not the case.
Cool Whip should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Leaving the Cool Whip at room temperature for longer than 2 hours does not only increase the chances of it spoiling, but it will cause it to lose consistency and taste.
Always keep a check on the expiry date of the can of Cool Whip sitting in your fridge, but also make sure to never leave it out at room temperature for longer than it needs to be there, to ensure that it stays fresher (and delicious) for longer.
How Long Does Whipped Cream Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly, whipped cream can last for quite some time in the fridge. It is best stored in an airtight container, at the back of the fridge, and not in the refrigerator door.
Stored this way, whipped cream can last for up to 4 days in the fridge. The issue, however, is keeping it whipped during this time. Unstabilized whipped cream will only stay whipped for around a day, but stabilized whipped cream can stay whipped for up to 4 days in the fridge.
There are a few ways to stabilize whipped cream, such as adding in gelatin or powdered sugar during the whipping process.
Can You Freeze Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream can be frozen, and freezing whipped cream is a good way to ensure that none goes to waste, but it doesn’t really hold its shape well when frozen.
When taking whipped cream out of the freezer, you would need to leave it in the fridge to thaw for a few hours, and you might have to whip it again to make it light and fluffy. It will likely not be the same texture as it was before it was frozen, but you should be able to get it close enough.
To freeze whipped cream, it is best to place it in a freezer-safe bag (I love these ones!) and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Whipped cream can be frozen for up to 3 months, so make sure to note the date of freezing on the freezer bag.
How to Tell if Whipped Cream Has Gone Bad
Whipped cream is a dairy product, which means that it will eventually spoil if left in the fridge or at room temperature for too long, and you definitely do not want to find yourself eating any spoiled whipped cream.
Therefore, it helps to know the signs to look for when whipped cream has gone bad so that you can throw it out when it has become unsafe to eat.
Here are the signs that whipped cream has gone bad:
Smell
One of the first signs to look for when whipped cream has gone back is an off odor. Once dairy begins to spoil, it develops a sour, off odor that is quite easy to pick up.
One of the best ways to tell if whipped cream is still fine to eat is to smell it, and if there is anything that smells off, then it is best to throw it away.
Texture
Whipped cream should be light and fluffy, and if the whipped cream you have in the fridge starts to lose this consistency, and it begins to separate, then it is probably best to throw it out.
Whipped cream that hasn’t been stabilized will not hold its shape well in the fridge for longer than a day, but it should not separate or become clumpy.
Color
If the whipped cream appears gray, or if there are any spots of mold, then there is no saving the whipped cream and it should be thrown away.
How Long Can Whipped Cream Sit Out at Room Temperature?
Whipped cream should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, but you should ideally not leave whipped cream out for longer than an hour if possible, especially if you live in a warmer climate.
Make sure to keep whipped cream stored at the back of the fridge, and only have it out at room temperature for as short a time as possible, so it can keep its best taste and consistency, and be safe to eat.
Related Questions
What Happens to Whipped Cream That Isn’t Refrigerated?
When whipped cream isn’t refrigerated, it begins to spoil quickly. Bacteria start growing once it’s in the “danger zone” (40–140°F), causing changes in texture, smell, and taste.
The cream may lose its fluffiness, separate into liquid and solids, or develop a sour smell. After two hours (or one hour in warm conditions) it’s no longer safe to eat and should be discarded. To prevent this, refrigerate whipped cream as soon as possible, or keep it cool with a bowl of ice if serving for longer periods.
Does Whipped Cream Melt at Room Temperature?
Whipped cream, especially whipped cream that hasn’t been stabilized, can begin to melt or become runny (Here’s my article on how to fix runny whipped cream) when left at room temperature.
This happens because the whipped structure begins to break down as the cream warms up. If your whipped cream becomes runny, don’t worry—(here’s my article on how to fix runny whipped cream).
Stabilized whipped cream holds up better but will still soften over time if not kept cool.
