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 is clotted cream made? ›

Clotted cream (Cornish: dehen molys, sometimes called scalded, clouted, Devonshire or Cornish cream) is a thick cream made by heating full-cream cow's milk using steam or a water bath and then leaving it in shallow pans to cool slowly.

What is clotted cream called in America? ›

Also known as Devonshire cream, clotted cream is a thick cream that originated in the Southwest of England.

Can whipping cream be used for clotted cream? ›

Heavy (whipping) cream or double cream: The higher-fat layer of dairy product skimmed from milk before hom*ogenization is cream. Heavy cream with fat content of 36% or double cream with fat content of 48% will work well in making clotted cream.

Why is my homemade clotted cream runny? ›

Did you transfer more whey than you realized when scooping the clots of cream into a bowl? I find that my clotted cream is too runny when I use ultra pasteurized cream, don't let it chill long enough or transfer too much whey when scooping out the clots of cream.

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 equivalent to clotted cream? ›

What is a good clotted cream substitute? If you can't get your hands on proper clotted cream, you could of course simply whip some heavy cream but you could also have a go at some other types of cream like mascarpone or creme fraiche.

Is Buttermilk and clotted cream the same thing? ›

It most likely originated around Southwest England in Cornwall or Devon, which is why it is often referred to as Devonshire cream, devon cream, or Cornish cream. Clotted cream is very similar to the taste and feel of buttermilk cream or whipped cream but is more subtle in flavor and smoother in texture.

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.

Does clotted cream taste like whipped cream? ›

Clotted cream has a mildly sweet flavor often described as having a nutty, cooked milk taste. It has been characterized as falling somewhere between whipped cream and butter in terms of its richness.

Can I put clotted cream in coffee? ›

Cream (single, whipping, double, even clotted) in hot chocolate, yes by all means, and also sometimes in hot coffee.

Is clotted cream just whipped butter? ›

With its ultra-thick consistency, clotted cream can even be mistaken for butter. But butter is churned, rather than separated, and while clotted cream may be closer to butter in terms of fat content, its flavour is more milky than buttery.

What do you eat clotted cream with? ›

It's traditionally made in Devon and Cornwall and served with scones or desserts or made into ice cream. If you buy an ice-cream in Devon or Cornwall it's usual for your ice cream to be topped off with a spoonful of clotted cream.

What happens if you whip clotted cream? ›

So to answer your question, you probably won't get exactly what you want. The fresh cream you add will likely whip, and the clotted cream is thick enough that you might not have the stability issues I had, but it definitely won't be a regular whipped cream. I would be careful whipping it at all, however.

Why does my clotted cream taste like butter? ›

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. When it comes to texture, clotted cream could be compared to softened cream cheese, with the richness falling somewhere between butter and whipped cream.

What is a substitute for clotted cream in scones? ›

Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer until fluffy and smooth. Add butter and beat. Add sour cream and beat once more until smooth. Serve on fresh scones.

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.

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

Clotted cream and whipped cream are both made with heavy cream, but while whipped cream is whipped into airy peaks, clotted cream is heated and separated, for a far denser texture. With its ultra-thick consistency, clotted cream can even be mistaken for butter.

Is clotted cream illegal in Canada? ›

Importing Clotted Cream from the United Kingdom requires a permit to import. "The Canadian Government" has not allowed companies the quota to import Clotted Cream from England.

What can I put on scones instead of clotted cream? ›

Crème fraîche can be used as a clotted cream substitute as a topping for fruit and baked goods as it has a similar thickness and creaminess to that of clotted cream. But considering crème fraîche's more tangy, sour flavour, it will be a better fit for some recipes than others.

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