Cool Whip is a popular food product for most Americans. It is often used to decorate desserts, thicken pie fillings and create many sweet masterpieces.
However, what are the best ways to store this product? Can you refreeze Cool Whip that is once thawed? Here we are to answer all your questions!
Can you refreeze Cool Whip?
The good news is that you can refreeze Cool Whip just like any other similar imitation whipped cream. However, you should know several tips on how to do it properly.
For a better understanding of what Cool Whip is and how you can store it, we are going to answer several key questions about this popular food product.
What is Cool Whip?
Cool Whip is stabilized whipped cream that is sold frozen in a tub. Cool Whip is not only the name of this whipped cream topping but also the name of the American brand that produces it.
Cool Whip is a great addition to many desserts and pie fillings. It has a rich and fluffy texture and tastes incredible. What is more, you can cook your own homemade Cool Whip that will be quite similar to the commercial one!
However, is Cool Whip as creamy as you think?
Cool Whip is an imitation whipped cream that contains more additives than the cream itself. Although it tastes just like fluffy and light whipped cream, it is not fully true cream.
Usually, Cool Whip contains less than 2% of light cream. The two main ingredients in it are just water and air. Besides, it contains lots of additives such as powdered sugar, vegetable oils, corn syrup, skimmed milk, and cream. Some other natural or artificial additives can vary.
So, if you contain the taste of Cool Whip with regular whipped cream, you will feel the difference. It may sound said, but if you are not so particular with the ingredients and the contain of cream in it, you will enjoy its taste.
Today, Cool Whips have quite a long history. Invented in 1966, they are still popular. Since whipping by hand is time-consuming, buying a tub of Cool Whip is a great idea to save you time.
The main feature of the Cool Whip that differs from common whipped cream is that it usually comes frozen. So, you always need to thaw Cool Whip before using it. The key point is just to do it very carefully so that you can refreeze Cool Whip again.
Can you eat Cool Whip frozen?
That is not a good idea. Despite some people thinking that frozen Cool Whip resembles instant ice cream, that is not true. Since the ratio of fat in these products is different, you won’t enjoy the taste.
Can you cook a homemade Cool Whip?
As an alternative to the store-bought Cool Whip, you can cook your own homemade whipped cream! It doesn’t take any tricky cooking methods or expensive ingredients. All that you need is just heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla!
Since homemade Cool whip contains a great ratio of natural cream, it is suitable for those who are concerned about what they eat.
In addition, you can freeze homemade Cool Whip as it is safe.
However, you can’t refreeze homemade Cool Whip. Since it contains heavy cream, it is not safe to refreeze it after thawing.
How to store Cool Whip?
As a rule, a tub of Cool Whip is usually sold frozen. When thawed, Cool Whip becomes creamy and soft, with a fluffy texture that is easy to spread.
The proper way to store this product is to keep it in the freezer. Storing in the fridge is not enough though, as the temperature is not cold enough to keep the same texture and consistency.
Place your tub in the freezer until you need it again. Then, you can take it away and thaw with a help of any method given in this article.
How to refreeze Cool Whip?
The good news is that you can refreeze this product and it is absolutely okay. Just follow the right refreezing tips to keep it safe and sound.
Since it is designed specifically for thawing and refreezing, no wonder that you can do both operations with it. Just remember to do it carefully to keep its signature fluffy texture and fresh taste.
How often can you refreeze Cool Whip?
Again, since it is designed for freezing and defrosting, it is good for being transported all around the country. So, if you do everything correctly, there are no limits to refreezing it. While the texture and consistency of the product are still good, you can repeat the thawing and refreezing procedures an unlimited amount of times.
Nevertheless, you hardly need to thaw and refreeze it too many times as the package is not so huge that you can’t use all the cream inside it.
Is it safe to refreeze Cool Whip?
Since Cool Whip is not a fully dairy product, you can refreeze it without any trouble. However, be sure that it keeps the right consistency and texture, or else there is no sense to refreeze this mess.
Don’t refreeze messy and non-fluffy Whip as it has already lost its consistency and texture. Once it is destroyed, you can just discard it and get a new tub instead.
How to thaw Cool Whip?
Defrosting Cool Whip is not difficult at all. However, you need to thaw Cool Whip properly to save its texture and consistency.
If you thaw Cool Whip incorrectly, you can easily end up with a yellow mess of creamy rests and syrupy liquid that you won’t be able to use anymore. The best way is to thaw it for an hour before you are planning to use it.
Never let it thaw so much to get the room temperature. This can create a great breeding ground for many bacteria.
Here are four different methods of thawing Cool Whip. Some of them have their drawbacks, and some are absolutely safe. However, each method has its own benefits, so you can choose any of them.
#1. In the fridge
The best and easiest method to thaw Cool Whip is to leave it in the fridge. However, this method works well when you have enough time to thaw it before cooking. In this case, you need to place a tub of Cool Whip into the fridge.
You can let it melt for four to five hours, or leave it to thaw overnight. A big benefit of this method is that slow thawing works best for keeping the light texture and consistency. Since this product contains high fructose corn syrup and cream, you won’t end up with a yellow mess when thawing it slowly and gently.
Then, use as much Cool Whip as you need, and place the rest back into the freezer.
One more good hack is to place the Cool Whip container on the folded-up tea towel. Let it thaw in the fridge for a while, or just leave it overnight.
#2. In the microwave oven
What if you are in a hurry and need to thaw Cool Whip quickly? Then, this method is nearly your best bet! You can quickly thaw Cool Whip in the microwave oven. Although this thawing method is a bit fiddly and has its drawbacks, you can try it as well.
Uncover your frozen Cool Whip package before thawing it. Then, place Cool Whip in the microwave oven.
Now, turn on the “Defrost” setting on your microwave oven. Let your Cool Whip thaw for 30 seconds to warm gently.
Take the Cool Whip package away and give it a good shake or stir. Now, you can place the package in the microwave oven for another 30 seconds.
Repeat this procedure as many times as you need to make your Cool Whip completely thawed. In general, it may take you 2 to 3 minutes.
However, be careful when thawing Cool Whip in the microwave oven. If you do something wrong, you will end up with yellow goo that is not possible to fix. And, of course, this yellow goo is not suitable for refreezing.
That’s why this method of defrosting frozen Cool Whip is not the easiest one. Using the microwave method versus thawing Cool Whip in the fridge or the water, can affect the texture and consistency of the product.
#3. In the cold water
You can defrost Cool Whip with a help of water. This method is not as risky as the previous one, so you can refreeze a tub of Cool Whip just by placing it in cold water.
Take a clean bowl and clean it with cold water. As a variant, you can also use lukewarm water to thaw Cool Whip a bit faster.
Then, place a Cool Whip tub into the bowl with cold water. If you are afraid that some cold water may trap in the Cool Whip container, wrap it with a layer of plastic wrap. Let your Cool Whip stay in the cold water for up to 40 minutes. Check the consistency. As soon as your Cool Whip is soft enough, take the package out of the water and use it.
To thaw your Cool Whip faster, turn the cold water on and let it run over the package. It will help you with defrosting process without any risks to destroy your Cool Whip.
#4. At room temperature
Finally, you can simply thaw frozen Cool Whip by placing it on the countertop. It will naturally thaw at room temperature. However, keep in mind that it is not advisable to refreeze Cool Whip after you thaw it at room temperature. That’s why this method is the last one to opt for.
Make sure to keep your Cool Whip away from direct sunlight as they are disastrous for this product.
Besides, keep your Cool Whip on the countertop for no more than two hours. As soon as you see that your Cool Whip is thawed enough, use it immediately.
Be careful when you let your Cool Whip thaw in a room that is much hotter than standard room temperature. Generally, it should be around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature in the room is higher, don’t leave your Cool Whip on the countertop for more than an hour.
If you try to refreeze Cool Whip thawed at room temperature, it may not retain its previous shape. So, you won’t be able to use it properly.
FAQ
How long is Cool Whip good after thawing?
As you can see, there are several different methods of thawing Cool Whip. But how long does Cool Whip last after you thaw it?
As an imitation whipped cream, Cool Whip has a longer shelf life than heavy cream. So, if you thaw and refreeze it for longer storage, it can last up to three or four months in the freezer.
Can you refreeze thawed whipping cream?
So, what if you have some leftover whipped cream? You can just freeze it until the next usage. However, does it work the same with whipping cream that has already been thawed once?
Never refreeze cream that has been thawed out once! The last issue that you can end up with is that the texture of your cream will change. As a result, refrozen heavy cream becomes inedible and wouldn’t taste good. Be careful as the went-off cream can make you sick!
Can I refreeze thawed non-dairy whipping cream?
As you already know, Cool Whip is an imitation whipped cream. You can refreeze it without any problem. The main hack is to thaw it properly so you can refreeze the leftover for the next time.
However, not all thawing methods are good for future refreezing Cool Whip. Dairy-free products are much easier to store, but they have their drawbacks as well.
You can’t refreeze Cool Whip thawed at room temperature. Be careful with refreezing Cool Whip that is thawed in the microwave oven. Make sure that thawed product keeps its texture and consistency before refreezing it.
Final thoughts
Properly thawing and refreezing are vital for Cool Whip to keep its texture and consistency and be fresh and edible. Keep the easy tips given in this article and enjoy your delicious meal!
You can also read Creme Brulee Not Setting?- 5 Simple Solution
