What Is Clotted Cream? (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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published May 2, 2016

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What Is Clotted Cream? (1)

If you’ve ever had the chance to enjoy afternoon tea at a fancy hotel or tea room, you may have been lucky enough to be served clotted cream. Piled high on scones along with jam, it’s so decadent that it’s practically dessert. But what exactly is it?

What Is Clotted Cream?

Clotted cream originated in the counties of Devon and Cornwall in southwest England. It’s made by indirectly heating full-fat cow’s milk in shallow pans over steam or a water bath. Then it’s left to cool in the pans for 12 to 24 hours, at which time the cream rises to the surface, forming “clots,” which are skimmed off and become clotted cream.

At a minimum of 55 percent butterfat, clotted cream is seriously indulgent (regular cream has just 18 percent butterfat.) It has a sweet, cooked milk flavor and is smooth and extra thick. If it’s produced in Devon, it’s called Devonshire cream or Devon clotted cream; if it’s produced in Cornwall, it’s called Cornwall clotted cream.

It’s not particularly easy to find at grocery stores outside of England, as fresh clotted cream has a very short shelf life, but there are a few online resources where you can purchase it. Otherwise, you might attempt making it yourself. Either way, your scones will thank you.

A Worthwhile Substitute

If you can’t get your hands on clotted cream and you’re not up for making it yourself, you still have a couple of options to replicate the same rich and creamy spread on your scones. Crème fraîche is a cultured cream similar to sour cream, but it’s thicker, richer, and much less tangy. Look for one with a high fat content to get the closest thing to clotted cream in both texture and flavor.

Another option is to whip

mascarpone

Are you a fan of clotted cream?

What Is Clotted Cream? (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for 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.

What is in clotted cream? ›

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.

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 do the British call clotted cream? ›

Clotted cream originated in southwest England and has become a traditional British topping for baked goods at afternoon teas. Depending on which county the product was made in, it's also sometimes called Devonshire/Devon cream or Cornish cream.

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 tastes like clotted cream? ›

So if you're unable to find clotted cream, don't feel like making your own, or want to try something different, whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, and coconut cream are all fine substitutes. Each of these options provides a creamy texture and can be enjoyed with scones and desserts.

What is the point of clotted cream? ›

In the U.K., it's common to serve a dollop of clotted cream with fresh strawberries or other summer berries. You can use clotted cream in place of butter to accompany baked goods such as muffins and quick breads. Additionally, In the U.K., it's used to make confections such as fudge, ice cream and truffles.

Should clotted cream be refrigerated? ›

Yes and No - what is unique about this product is that it is shelf stable and does not require refrigeration until it has been opened. As you may remember the Clotted and Double Cream we carried previously had to be refrigerated at all times.

Why is clotted cream so unhealthy? ›

Nutritionally, there is nothing particularly “bad” about clotted cream. However, it is worth noting just how rich in calories the cream is. As always, the caloric content of a food has no bearing on how healthy (or not) it is.

Does clotted cream taste like whipped cream? ›

What Does It Taste Like? 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.

What does clotted cream taste like? ›

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.

What is a good substitute for cream in scones? ›

You can make a similar heavy cream alternative using regular milk and butter. Whole milk has a fat percentage of around 3.5% and is preferable to lower-fat varieties, but you'll still want to use more melted butter than you would with half-and-half. For best results, try mixing ⅔ cup of whole milk with ⅓ cup butter.

What is the US equivalent to double cream? ›

The British use double cream in recipes the way we use heavy cream or whipping cream here in the US, but they also allow it to accompany dessert the way we might use ice cream.

What is the alternate title for clotted cream? ›

Clotted cream, also known as Devonshire cream, comes from the English counties of Devon and Cornwall. It is made by heating full fat cow's milk, producing clots of cream to rise to the surface.

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