A straightforward method for the simultaneous preparation of (2 S,3 R,2′ R)- and (2 S,3 R,2′ S)-2′-hydroxy-ceramides (2′-OHCer) from (2 S,3 R)-sphingosine acetonide precursors and racemic mixtures of 2-hydroxy fatty acids (2-OHFAs) is described. The obtained 2′-OH-C4-, -C6-, -C12-, -C16-Cer and 2′-OH-C6-dhCer pairs of diastereoisomers were characterized thoroughly by TLC, MS, NMR, and optical rotation. Dynamic and multidimensional NMR studies provided evidence that polar interfaces of 2′-OHCers are extended and more rigid than observed for the corresponding non-hydroxylated analogs. Stereospecific profile on growth suppression of MCF7 cells was observed for (2′ R)- and (2′ S)-2′-OH-C6-Cers and their dihydro analogs. The (2′ R)-isomers were more active than the (2′ S)-isomers (IC 50 ∼3 μM/8 μM and IC 50 ∼8 μM/12 μM, respectively), surpassing activity of the ordinary C6-Cer (IC 50 ∼12 μM) and C6-dhCer (IC 50 ∼38 μM). Neither isomer of 2′-OH-C6-Cers and 2′-OH-C6-dhCers was metabolized to their cellular long chain 2′-OH-homologs. Surprisingly, the most active (2′ R)-isomers did not influence the levels of the cellular Cers nor dhCers. Contrary to this, the (2′ S)-isomers generated cellular Cers and dhCers efficiently. In comparison, the ordinary C6-Cer and C6-dhCer also significantly increased the levels of their cellular long chain homologs. These peculiar anabolic responses and SAR data suggest that (2′ R)-2′-OHCers/dhCers may interact with some distinct cellular regulatory targets in a specific and more effective manner than their non-hydroxylated analogs. Thus, stereoisomers of 2′-OHCers can be potentially utilized as novel molecular tools to study lipid–protein interactions, cell signaling phenomena and to understand the role of hydroxylated sphingolipids in cancer biology, pathogenesis and therapy.