In a stand mixer (or a bowl if using a hand mixer) with a whisk attachment, add heavy whipping cream and vanilla. If you are adding sugar, you can add it now.
Start the mixer on low speed and work up to medium speed. If you are using honey or maple syrup to sweeten this recipe, add it while the mixer is whisking and it is starting to get fluffy.
Allow the cream to whip until medium puffs. You can tell this if you pick up the whisk attachment and the cream stands up in a peak and then softly droops.