Whipped cream becomes light—yet richer—with the addition of Calvados. It echoes the apples in our Apple Walnut Torte.
1/2vanilla bean (halved crosswise), halved lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1cupchilled heavy cream
1tablespoonCalvados or other apple brandy
2teaspoonssugar
Scrape seeds from bean with tip of a knife into a bowl (reserve pod for another use). Add remaining ingredients and beat with a mixer until cream just holds soft peaks.
