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 to make clotted cream at home? ›

Pour the cream or milk into a wide double saucepan or bowl and place over some hot water on your cooker. Leave the water to simmer for 2-3 hours. When the cream or milk has developed a thick bubbly layer on top, remove from the stove and cool in a cool place first and then in the fridge for several hours.

What is the closest thing to clotted cream? ›

A Worthwhile Substitute

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.

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.

How was 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 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.

What is a substitute for clotted cream in scones? ›

directions
  • Combine the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream in a small bowl.
  • Beat until fluffy.
  • Add the almond extract and milk to thin a bit.
  • Blend well.
  • Allow to set at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Makes enough for about a dozen scones.

Why is clotted cream illegal in the US? ›

Following a 1987 ruling from the Food and Drug Administration, the interstate sale of raw milk was banned in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, raw milk can contain harmful bacteria and germs, which can be especially risky for certain individuals like those who are pregnant or elderly ...

What is the best clotted cream in the world? ›

Rodda's is now considered the most loved Cornish clotted cream brand in the world, being enjoyed from Land's End to John O' Groats and as far away as Australia and Asia. But thats not all… we also make other delciously rich and creamy products using the very best Cornish milk.

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.

Can you buy clotted cream in USA? ›

While you're unlikely to find authentic clotted cream in America, you can still purchase it online and at some major U.S. grocery stores. Just keep in mind that what you're buying is the FDA-approved, pasteurized version 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.

Does homemade clotted cream need to be refrigerated? ›

To make clotted cream, milk or cream is heated at a low temperature until a buttery crust forms. The latter is scraped off and cooled until the milk separates and clots of cream are left on top. While refrigeration is no longer an issue, we continue to enjoy clotted cream for the sheer joy of it.

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 Devonshire cream and 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.

Why is clotted cream yellow? ›

Plenty of rain and mild temperatures combine to produce lush fields of grass that allow cows to produce rich creamy milk. A high level of carotene in the grass contributes to the distinctive yellow colour of Cornish clotted 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.

Is clotted cream the same as heavy whipping cream? ›

Whipped cream is simply cream with air beaten into it. Clotted cream is thicker and higher in fat than other creams. It is produced by slowly heating and cooling milk, rather than simply skimming off or mechanically concentrating the milk fat.

Can I buy clotted cream in the US? ›

While you're unlikely to find authentic clotted cream in America, you can still purchase it online and at some major U.S. grocery stores. Just keep in mind that what you're buying is the FDA-approved, pasteurized version of clotted cream.

Is clotted cream like cottage cheese? ›

They are completely different. Cottage cheese is cheese curds that have not been fully separated from the whey, as I understand it. It is made from milk. Clotted cream is high-fat content cream that has been scalded and this causes the cream to solidify when cooled.

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