Home-made Clotted Cream Recipe (2024)

Home-made Clotted Cream Recipe

17/4/2017

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It wasn’t so long ago that the only place in the country (or even the world) where you could buy clotted cream was the West Country. These days of course, companies are shipping the beautiful stuff to supermarkets nationwide. However, if you’re ever in short supply, did you realise you can make it at home? In this blog post, we reveal 2 super easy ways of making clotted cream.

First things first – it can be tricky to replicate the exact texture of the shop-bought clotted creams, so don’t expect it to be identical. You should however end up with a genuinely delicious home-made version that will be the perfect accompaniment to sweet treats.

When it comes to cream teas, the custom in Cornwall is to spread the jam on first, followed by the cream. The custom in Devon is vice versa! In our experience, good clotted cream is too thick to be spread like butter, which makes it easier to dollop on top. Whichever way you eat yours, we hope you enjoy some home-made clotted cream via one of these recipes:


Ingredients / Equipment:

  • 2 pints double cream (ideally ‘raw’ cream, unpasteurised, from a farm shop, but normal pasteurised cream should work, so long as it isn’t ultra-pasteurised long-life cream).
  • A ceramic / Perspex / glass casserole dish for method 1, OR a large, heavy-bottom frying pan for method 2.

Instructions – Method 1:

This method should give you a slightly more flavoursome cream.

  • Preheat your oven to 80°C / 175°F (slightly less for fan-assisted). It is important that your oven keeps a regular temperature – old models may not. If in doubt, test with an oven thermometer.
  • Empty the cream into the dish so that it is no more than 3 inches deep (but no less than 1).
  • Put the dish into the oven uncovered, and leave for 11 - 12 hours. (A good idea to do it over night). Note - the idea is not to bake the cream, but to gently warm it so some of the liquid evaporates. It is better to go for a low temperature for more time, than a high temperature for less.
  • Take the dish out of the oven and allow to cool at room temperature. Don’t stir or break into it.
  • Cover with cling-film and place it in the fridge for 12 hours.
  • There should be a thick, slightly yellow crust.
  • This is where there’s a bit of a learning curve. Under the crust, you should get your delicious cream – you can skim this off with the crust, break it up a bit, and put it into jars. However, if the cream is very thick, the crust too solid, and there’s some liquid left – that’s OK – just gently mix the liquid into the rest of the cream. If there a lot of liquid but your cream is already a good consistency , you can decant the liquid and use it in recipes instead of milk (or just put it down the sink!). Use your judgement to try and get that thick consistency you’re looking for.

Instructions – Method 2:

This method is a little quicker but requires more attention.

  • Pour your cream into a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan. You want it to heat very gently, evenly and slowly, with as much surface area as possible.
  • Put your pan on the hob, and set it to the lowest setting possible –this is very important, as if it’s too warm the cream will bake. Don’t stir, but leave it to sit uncovered and undisturbed.
  • Depending on how low your hob will go, after a period of time (up to an hour), a thick layer will form on the top of the cream. Scrape it off and place it into a bowl.
  • Wait for another crust to form, and repeat the steps, scraping it into the bowl until you have used up the cream.
  • Place the cream into a sealable container and leave it in the fridge for 12 hours.
  • After that point, if there is a little excess liquid it can be stirred into the cream or decanted.


NOTES:

The exact timings and final result depend on the fat content of the cream, the reliability of your oven temperature, and the container you use – there is a little trial and error involved, so keep an eye.

The cream should keep for up to 2 weeks in smaller containers.

Let us know if you have your own favoured method of making clotted cream, or if you give our recipes a go!

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Home-made Clotted Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do they make clotted cream? ›

Clotted cream (a.k.a. clouted, scalded cream, or Devonshire cream) is a British topping made by heating cream or full-fat milk, then allowing it to cool slowly. As it cools, the cream rises to the top and "clots."

What is the closest thing to clotted cream? ›

Mock Clotted Cream Substitute
  • 3 ounces cream cheese.
  • 14 cup powdered sugar.
  • 14 cup sour cream.
  • 18 teaspoon almond extract.
  • 1 tablespoon milk.

What is clotted cream in America? ›

Clotted cream is simply full-fat cream that's been heated low and slow for many hours and then cooled slowly so the cream rises to the surface and forms "clots." This thickened cream is scooped off the top and into a jar or small container.

How long does homemade clotted cream last in the fridge? ›

Whether clotted cream is made at home or bought in a supermarket, the process is the same. Clotted cream was used historically as a way to preserve milk. An average rule of thumb is Clotted cream can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Why is clotted cream illegal in the US? ›

Its exclusivity extends beyond England, however, as clotted cream is technically illegal in America. Why? True clotted cream is made with unpasteurized milk, and the FDA officially banned the distribution of any milk or milk products that haven't been pasteurized in America in 1987.

What is the difference between Devonshire cream and clotted cream? ›

When it comes to Devonshire cream, however, they are actually the same thing. Devonshire cream simply refers to clotted cream that is made in Devon, and clotted cream made in Cornwall may also be referred to as Cornish cream.

Can you get real clotted cream in the US? ›

In states like New York, Texas, and others, you can only buy raw milk directly from farms. That doesn't mean that you're totally out of luck when it comes to clotted cream here in the U.S. It might not be authentic, but versions of the cream are for sale on Amazon and at stores like Whole Foods.

What do the British call clotted cream? ›

It is also called Devonshire, Devon clotted cream, or Cornish clotted cream, depending on where it was made. The dish is traditionally made with full-fat unpasteurized cow's milk, although many recipes today feature heavy cream.

Does mascarpone taste like clotted cream? ›

The taste of mascarpone is similar to that of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, creme fraiche, or clotted cream, but with a little more sweetness and acidity. This makes it a versatile cheese for both sweet and savory dishes.

Does Trader Joe's carry clotted cream? ›

Where can I buy clotted cream in the USA? If you'd rather buy clotted cream than make it, try Trader Joe's, Whole Food or Wegmanns. Or grab a jar of clotted cream here on Amazon.

Why does clotted cream taste so good? ›

Clotted cream has a unique taste, often described as being similar to a high-quality unsalted butter. It can also have nutty notes from the milk's long cooking time.

Why is clotted cream so nice? ›

It's a very rich cream, it's very slightly sweet but only from the natural sugars in it, so sweet in the way that milk can be. What other things does the flavor compare to? Flavour-wise probably unsweetened whipped cream but with a very different texture.

How healthy is clotted cream? ›

Health Benefits of Clotted Cream

With a minimum butterfat content of 55%, clotted cream is high in fat with a rich mouthfeel. While not advisable to enjoy copious quantities of clotted cream daily, it does possess a good amount of vitamins A, B12, and D, calcium, magnesium, protein, zinc and phosphorus.

Can you put clotted cream in coffee? ›

Clotted cream is too heavy for coffee, but single and double cream can be used. To float double cream on top add some sugar to the coffee and lightly whip the cream first.

Can you whip clotted cream? ›

Can you whip clotted cream to thicken it? No. If done right, the consistency will already be thick and creamy with no extra whipping required. How do you loosen clotted cream?

Is clotted cream healthy? ›

Health Benefits of Clotted Cream

With a minimum butterfat content of 55%, clotted cream is high in fat with a rich mouthfeel. While not advisable to enjoy copious quantities of clotted cream daily, it does possess a good amount of vitamins A, B12, and D, calcium, magnesium, protein, zinc and phosphorus.

Can I whip clotted cream? ›

Can you whip clotted cream to thicken it? No. If done right, the consistency will already be thick and creamy with no extra whipping required. How do you loosen clotted cream?

Why does clotted cream last so long? ›

We now attribute this longer shelf life to the higher butterfat content of clotted cream which is 64% on average compared with 48% for heavy or double cream. To make clotted cream, milk or cream is heated at a low temperature until a buttery crust forms.

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