Taking whipped cream to holiday meals is great, but depending on what time you arrive at a party and what time dinner is served, it often deflates or weeps all over your dessert in the refrigerator. Sure, you can make it seconds before you're serving, but that doesn't always fit in the schedule. Instead, try this small trick to make it hold up through the night and even into the next few days.

Unflavored Gelatin Is the Key to Longer-Lasting Whipped Cream

Although there are many uses for unflavored gelatin, it often rears its head during the fall and winter months, usually about the same time you start busting out vanilla marshmallows — or candied sweet potato marshmallows!

Unlike your store-bought whipped topping, freshly whipped cream has the tendency to deflate and lose a little luster over time (and by time, I mean like 60 minutes). If you're looking to keep things perky and upright no matter how long your party goes, or even into the next several days, then all you need is a little gelatin.

Keep it vegetarian: 3 Vegetarian Substitutes for Gelatin

Here's How to Do It

This process is quite easy and not that much different that our standard method for making whipped cream. What sets it apart is that first you will start by dissolving a small amount of unflavored, powdered gelatin in warm water. Once cooled, it will be slowly added to the cream as it's whipped.

1. Combine the gelatin with water: Place 1/4 cup of cold water in the bottom of a small saucepan, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of unflavored, powdered gelatin. Let the gelatin soften and absorb all of the water, about 4 minutes.
2. Dissolve the gelatin and cool: Place pan over low heat and stir until gelatin dissolves. Let it cool off the heat while you complete the next step.
3. Make the whipped cream: Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups cream and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Slowly pour in warm dissolved gelatin and remix until soft peaks re-form. You won't ever get stiff peaks like you might from traditional whipped cream, but you'll get soft, fluffy mounds perfect for putting on top of pies and all types of after-dinner desserts. This mixture is enough to top an entire pie, but if you're making it for people to add to their own pie, we suggest doubling things.

Storing the Whipped Cream

Stored in the refrigerator, the whipped cream should last up to several days (if you can keep that stray spoon out of it!). Because of its longevity, it will allow you to make a dessert that's topped with whipped cream or has it as an ingredient a full day in advance, meaning at the last second before you rush out the door, you can actually be getting ready instead of doing frantic things in the kitchen!