It hit the market during a boom in convenience foods, right alongside boxed cake mixes, instant pudding and TV dinners. Dream Whip fit right in. Ads promised it “won’t wilt, won’t separate, keeps for days” and showed it spooned onto everything from sponge cake to Jell-O molds. It made desserts look a little fancier with very little effort — and that was exactly the point.
Later came Cool Whip in the 60s, which was frozen and ready to use, and Reddi-wip in its classic can. Each had its moment, but Dream Whip carved out a spot as the make-it-yourself option that didn’t need a freezer or a fridge. It still pops up in vintage recipes and holiday desserts, especially with folks who grew up seeing it in the pantry or stirred into a cherry-topped cake.
See some of the vintage ads for 1950s Dream Whip that we’ve collected below!
From 1959: New Dream Whip whipped topping
…luscious new Dream Whip is low in cost, low in calories — only 17 per serving. Comes a box, stays fresh on your shelf, needs no refrigeration.
You can fix Dream Whip any time, too — won’t wilt, won’t separate, keeps for days. Keep Dream Whip handy on your shelf and enjoy light and gay desserts every day.
Light and lovely Dream Whip makes your pies and puddings twice as fancy. Stays fresh in the refrigerator, too.
Cherry Dream Cake is the easiest dessert ever! Simply layers of sponge cake… chopped cherries… luscious new Dream Whip.
Snowy Pears — with Jell-O. Pear halves… soft Jell-O gelatin spooned on… and new Dream Whip. Calories? Hardly any.
Dream Whip on anything costs so little. Like on gingerbread. Heap it high — the budget can take it.
Dream Whip from the 1950s
ALSO SEE: Rainbow cake recipe with 5 layers of fluffy whipped Jello (1962)
