Good question, Sasha. The Instant ClearJel is acting as a stabilizer for the whipped cream here, so while you can just leave it out, as Gwen explains, "your whipped topping won’t have nearly the staying power without it". Another ingredient that can help to stabilize is powdered, unflavored gelatin which is bloomed and added to the cream. To do this, place 1/2 cup water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle 2 tsp gelatin over the water and allow it to soften for 5 minutes. Dissolve the gelatin by microwaving for 3 minutes, stirring after every minute. Remove it from the microwave and let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes; gelatin must be liquid but not warm when added to cream. Begin beating your other ingredients together just until beater marks begin to show distinctly. Then add the gelatin mixture to the cream, pouring in a steady stream while beating constantly. Beat until stiff peaks form. Hope this helps! Mollie@KAF

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