What Is Clotted Cream? (2024)

This is an English specialty you should get to know.

Updated on March 21, 2022

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.

To make clotted cream, full-fat milk is indirectly heated in a shallow pan for several hours until the cream rises to the top. It's then allowed to cool in the pan for 12 to 24 hours. During this period, the cream will thicken and clot. Once the watery whey is poured off, the result is a thick and creamy spread that's smooth in texture and lightly yellow in color.

Clotted cream is incredibly rich, requiring 55 percent butterfat to be properly classified as clotted cream. For comparison, heavy cream has a mere 36 percent butterfat.

What Is Clotted Cream? (1)

What Does Clotted Cream Taste Like?

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.

How to Use Clotted Cream

Most afternoon teas in southwest England wouldn't be complete without a helping of clotted cream. It's often served on scones with jam, but would be just as delicious spread onto crumpets or quick breads.

When berries are in season, it's also popular to serve a bowl of fresh fruit with a dollop of clotted cream. Once opened, a jar of the cream will keep refrigerated for about three days.

Where to Buy Clotted Cream

Your average grocery store outside of the United Kingdom probably won't sell clotted cream. It must remain refrigerated, so shipping isn't always practical. While some online outlets sell a shelf-stable version or ship the cream in insulated boxes with cool packs, for the tastiest clotted cream experience it's best to make it yourself. All you need is some heavy cream, an oven, and patience.

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What Is Clotted Cream? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Clotted Cream? ›

Clotted Cream is a thickened cream with fat content around 68%. Heat causes the cream and fat rise to the top forming clots and are skimmed off. This is the clotted cream.

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 tastes like clotted cream? ›

All you need is three beautifully fatty ingredients: butter, sour cream, and cream cheese. You should definitely opt for the highest quality ingredients you can afford. If you want the most authentic flavor, choose unsalted butter. Beat the (softened) cream cheese until smooth.

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.

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.

Is clotted cream just whipped 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.

Should clotted cream be refrigerated? ›

Please refrigerate your cream as soon as it arrives. It is sent out frozen to ensure it remains fresh. It is best consumed within 7 days of your order being dispatched.

How much sugar is in clotted cream? ›

Table of Nutritional Information
per 100g:
Fat63.5g
of which saturates39.7g
Carbohydrate2.3g
of which sugars2.3g
4 more rows

What is the difference between Cornish and Devon clotted cream? ›

Differences Between Cornish and Devonshire Clotted Cream

Both Devonshire and Cornish clotted cream is produced using the same or similar methods, the main difference comes from the cows pastures (the better the cows diet the better the clotted cream).

Where do they eat clotted cream? ›

Clotted cream is eaten all over the UK. Most places that serve afternoon tea or cream tea, whether in Devon or Cornwall (where clotted cream is traditionally made), up in the north of England or further north in Scotland, will use clotted cream on their scones.

What is clotted cream compared to? ›

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.

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.

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.

Is extra thick cream like clotted cream? ›

Clotted cream has a much higer fat content than double and extra thick cream.

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