The key to perfect whipped cream is to have the cream and bowl very cold, especially when beating by hand.

Ingredients

　　1 cup heavy cream

　　1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

　　1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　IN A DEEP MIXING BOWL set in a large ice-water bath, whisk cream by hand until soft peaks form. Sprinkle with the sugar, add vanilla, and whisk until soft peaks return. Do not overbeat.

　　Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook by Martha Stewart. Copyright © 2008 by Martha Stewart. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning, daily national syndicated program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on www.marthastewart.com.