Macadamia Nut Whipped Cream is a Healthier Dairy-Free Topping

Cashews and almonds star in so many dairy-free recipes, that we often forget there’s an even creamier type of nut: the luxurious macadamia. This macadamia nut whipped cream is smooth, rich, and completely void of dairy. It’s infused with vanilla, and sweetened solely with dates, for a decadent garnish that could even be considered healthy.

Grab a Spoon, this Macadamia Nut Whipped Cream Is Anti Inflammatory

This recipe was originally shared with us in 2017 by vegan chef Beverly Lynn Bennett. It was a sample recipe from her plant-based cookbook Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Recipes. I’ve recently updated the post, letting the macadamia nut whipped cream takes center stage.

When someone talks about an anti-inflammatory diet, foods like blueberries, green tea, and turmeric often come to mind. But a wide range of whole foods have inflammation fighting benefits, including macadamia nuts. These tropical nuts are rich in “good” monounsaturated fats, which suppress inflammatory proteins. Macadamias also contain antioxidant compounds that fight inflammation-causing free radicals.

In her book, Beverly explains the difference between acute and chronic inflammation and outlines simple lifestyle strategies to minimize the damage that chronic inflammation can cause. She identifies the most health-protective foods with the highest concentrations of phytochemicals and other essential inflammation-fighting nutrients. And then she gives you 75 recipes to enjoy them!

In one of her recipes, Beverly layers this macadamia nut topping with goji berries, kiwi, mango, and papaya. It’s an entire healthy dessert of anti-inflammatory superstars. I’ve included that tropical parfait recipe as an option in the notes. But I have even more suggestions to inspire your next macadamia-topped dessert.

Macadamia Nut Whip Serving Suggestions

• Strawberry Shortcake
• Mixed Fruit Crisp
• Mini Frozen Key Lime Tarts
• Classic Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
• Angel Food Cake
• Pineapple Macadamia Scones
• Tropical Fruit Salad
• Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
• Hot Cocoa
• Tropical Milkshakes
• Hawaiian Parfaits (pictured – Recipe in the Recipe Notes below)

Special Diet Notes: Macadamia Nut Whipped Cream

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, coconut-free, vegan, plant-based, paleo-friendly, added sugar-free, oil-free,  and vegetarian.

Beverly Lynn Bennett

Dairy-Free Macadamia Nut Whipped Cream

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Transport your taste buds to Hawaii with this dairy-free topping. It doesn’t whip up quite like dairy cream, but it still provides that delicious rich and creamy finish to desserts. We love it in the tropical parfait option in the recipe notes below. But it also compliments a wide range of treats, from frozen desserts to holiday pies. I have included some suggestions in the post above. Please note that the prep time is hands on time only. Allow an hour or more for soaking the nuts and dates.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Soak Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 1.5 cups

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 76

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 ½ cups raw macadamia nuts
• 2 ½ cups warm water
• 6 pitted soft dates
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Method

 

1. Put the macadamia nuts in a medium bowl and cover them with 2 cups of the warm water. Put the dates in a small bowl and cover them with the remaining 1/2 cup of warm water. Let the nuts and dates soak for 1 hour or longer.
2. Drain the macadamia nuts but do not drain the dates.
3. Put the macadamia nuts, the dates and their soaking liquid, and the vanilla extract in a blender and process until smooth. Scrape down the blender jar and process until thick and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Store the topping in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve it cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 5.8gProtein: 0.9gFat: 6.3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 0mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 4.2g

Notes

Sweetener Note: You can substitute another sweetener for the dates. Omit the half cup soaking water and the dates. Add your favorite liquid sweetener to taste. Honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup are each delicious with macadamia nuts.

Hawaiian Parfaits Recipe: Peel and dice 1 papaya and 1 mango. Peel 2 kiwi fruit, quarter them lengthwise, and thinly slice. Put the juice of 1 orange and 1/3 cup goji berries in a medium bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes to rehydrate the goji berries. Add all of the cut fruit, and stir to combine. Set out four large glasses or dessert dishes. Layer one-eighth of the fruit mixture and 3 tablespoons of the Macadamia Nut Whipped Cream in the bottom of each glass or dessert dish. Repeat the layers, and then top each dish with ½ tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut. Serve immediately.

Parfait Variation: Replace any of the suggested fruits with other tropical fruits, such as dragon fruit, guava, passion fruit, or star fruit.

This recipe is reprinted with permissions from Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Recipes by vegan chef Beverly Lynn Bennett.

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Also try this Walnut Whipped Topping Recipe!