How To: Whipped Cream

Start with cold heavy cream.

Whip it until it starts to increase in volume and thickens.

Next, add a sweetener. Confectioners' and granulated sugars are the classics, but you can also use brown sugar.

Add a flavoring: Good-quality vanilla is most common, but you can also use liquor like brandy, rum or Grand Marnier, which is an orange liqueur. If you want to add a citrus flavor, zest a lemon or orange into the bowl with the cream; remember that a little goes a long way.