Clotted cream is a traditional British topping that originated in England. It is a smooth, yellow cream that is very thick and indulgent. It is believed that clotted cream originated in Devon as well as Cornwall in the southwestern corner of England, but it is also successfully made in Yorkshire (which does not sit very well with those from the Southwest). 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. In order for it to be considered authentic clotted cream, it needs to contain about 55 percent butterfat. The milk or cream is heated in a shallow pan for many hours until the cream rises to the surface and thickens or clots (hence the name). This thickened cream is skimmed off the top and is served with scones, at afternoon teas, and on summer berries. It has the consistency of softened cream cheese and tastes similar to a quality unsalted butter. It is sold in jars depending on the brand, and it is at least three times the price of whipped cream.
Clotted cream is an essential component of either a Devon or Cornish cream tea (a light meal with afternoon tea). It would be unheard of to have a cream tea without clotted cream, which is served in place of butter. Depending on the county where one is enjoying the clotted cream, it is either spread on the scone first and then topped with jam, or the jam goes on first followed by the cream.
The cream is not restricted to afternoon teas, however. It is used in much the same way as heavy or whipping cream (called double or thick cream in the U.K.). In the summer months, it is common to serve a huge dollop of clotted cream on fresh strawberries, or any berry, for that matter. Clotted cream is too thick to use in or on a cake and cannot be whipped like heavy cream.Whereas heavy and light cream can be cooked, clotted cream cannot.
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.
Clotted Cream Recipes
The ubiquitous accompaniment for clotted cream is a scone, along with some jam, but the British specialty is also delicious with muffins and quick bread. Contemporary cooks have also incorporated clotted cream into recipes like fudge, ice cream, and chocolate truffles.
Easy British Scones (Serve with clotted cream and jam on top.)
Chocolate Truffles (Replace the cream cheese with clotted cream.)
Vanilla Fudge (Swap out the sour cream for clotted cream.)
Where to Buy Clotted Cream
Unlike other types of cream, the clotted variety travels very well, and because of this, the cream has been sent through the mail for decades to all corners of the world.
Clotted cream is sold in jars ranging in size from 1 to 8 ounces and can be found online and perhaps in very well-stocked supermarkets. To ensure it is authentic, it needs to come from Devon or Cornwall; Cornish clotted cream is a holder of the EU's Protection of Designated Origin. That means it can officially be labeled as highly coveted Cornish clotted cream if it is produced from milk from Cornwall and is 55 percent butterfat. The unique, slightly yellow, Cornish clotted cream color is due to the highcarotenelevels in the grass. Clotted cream from Stamfrey Farm in Yorkshire is also an acceptable variety.
It is also very easy to make your own clotted cream. All you need is heavy cream, an oven, and a lot of time.
Storage
Clotted cream—both homemade and store-bought—has a short shelf life. The clotted cream needs to be refrigerated, and once the jar is opened, it will last only three days. Homemade clotted cream will stay fresh for three to four days but can be frozen for longer storage.
To be true clotted cream it has to have a minimum fat content of 55%, although most of the clotted cream made in England leans towards a rich 64%. As you can probably tell from these numbers it is not the healthiest thing in the world. In the U.S, clotted cream would be classed as butter due to its high fat content.
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.
Clotted cream comes from the southwestern English counties of Devon and Cornwall, where it is made by heating full fat cow's milk until 'clots' of cream rise to the surface, a method originally adopted to make it keep for longer.
While states are able to make some of their own rules regarding raw and unpasteurized dairy, the distribution of such products is banned by the FDA, so you'll have a hard time finding clotted cream in any U.S. grocery store.
It is absolutely permissable to bring clotted cream into the US from the UK. I've done it multiple times, but not in carry-on, it must go in checked baggage. Wrap it tightly in cling film to prevent leaks, pack in a soft cooler with a freezer block, declare on customs form et voila, clotted cream in the US!
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.
"The Canadian Government" has not allowed companies the quota to import Clotted Cream from England. If/when independent retail locations import Clotted Cream they would be (and are) subject to a tax and tarrif around 70% of the retail price of the cream.
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.
Both baked goodies use flour, fat, liquid and a leavening agent. The main differences are that scones tend to have less butter (because you'll add butter to it when you eating it — or else, clotted cream or jam) while American biscuits tend to have more butter and light layers.
Start by dressing the scone with cream then jam or vice versa. Use a knife to spread enough cream and jam on a small bite. Choose either the Devon or the Cornish way. If you want to be like the Queen, go with the Cornish method.
American scones use much more butter than British scones, and they usually have quite a bit more sugar. The extra butter is what makes them so much denser. This is not really a good or bad thing, as British scones pile on plenty of sugar (in the form of preserves/jam) and butter or clotted cream as toppings.
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.
Double cream is a popular dairy product in Britain and Europe and it's as rich as it sounds. What Is Light 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.
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.
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.
Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy
Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/clotted-cream--slivki--on-slice-of-loaf-bread-on-cutting-board-on-vintage-table-653777354-f5a27d249e544991bd294e123ad751a2.jpg "Clotted Cream Is the Traditional British Companion for Scones (1)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bowl-of-strawberries-and-cornish-clotted-cream-114412102-3d51f14292ac4587ac9f1a9ebcfb6d16.jpg "Clotted Cream Is the Traditional British Companion for Scones (2)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/scones-with-strawberry-jam-and-clotted-cream-959875000-21cd2f41b49c4b4b82a369d12ec7285a.jpg "Clotted Cream Is the Traditional British Companion for Scones (3)")
