How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (2024)

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If you have a craving for real, authentic, British clotted cream, look no further. This clotted cream recipe is the real deal!

Contents

How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream

I was first introduced to clotted cream while living in the Cotswolds in England. We would go for tea at least once a week in charming little yellow stone tea houses. It was lovely. To be completely honest, when I first heard of clotted cream, I really didn’t want anything to do with it. I mean, who would want to eat any kind of dairy with the word “clotted” in it?

And really, it doesn’t actually even look that appetizing! But once you’ve spread this delicious condiment on a hot scone, there’s just no turning back!

What is Clotted Cream?

If you’re unfamiliar with clotted cream, sit tight, because I’m about to rock your world! But when you see the ingredients in this clotted cream recipe, you might laugh, but I promise you it’s worth your time.

Clotted cream is a rich, creamy goodness that you can spread on just about everything. I love to eat it on scones, but you can put it on cakes, frenchtoast, muffins, pretty much on anything in place of butter.

What is Devonshire Cream?

You may see a lot of recipes out there involving cream cheese and sugar, claiming to be “Devonshire Cream” but that is just another name for clotted cream. Don’t be fooled by those recipes. While delicious, THIS is the real deal and this is how to make clotted cream!

How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (1)

Clotted Cream: A History

If you’re really fascinated by this stuff like I am, you might appreciate a little history of clotted cream. It has long been disputed weather it originated in Cornwall or Devon, and sadly, we may never know the truth!

Clotted cream was originally made by farmers to reduce the amount of waste from their milk, but it has now become a southern British icon!

These days, you can find clotted cream in British supermarkets and teahouses, usually eaten on scones with cream tea, afternoon tea or breakfast. Try this orange scone recipe for the perfect pair to your clotted cream.

Once I returned home to the US, I sadly, could not find clotted cream anywhere! So I had to learn to make my own.

How to Make Clotted Cream

Making clotted cream is really more about the method rather than the ingredients, but you do need to be sure to pick the proper cream. Find a heavy whipping cream that has not been ultra-pasteurized. If you can find raw cream, that’s even better.

Check with your local dairy or try a health food store. The pasteurized cream will still work, you just might have more separation. Not a big deal.

You’ll want to allow around 24 hours for the entire process of making clotted cream. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting (usually 180 degrees Fahrenheit). Pour one pint of heavy cream into a glass 9×13 pan.

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Be sure the edges are sealed well. Leave your pan of cream in the oven for about 12 hours. You want the top layer of cream to be lightly golden. I usually do this step at night before I go to bed and wake up to the most heavenly smell!

How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (2)

When your cream is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let cool until the pan is safe to touch. Place the pan in the fridge for another 12 hours until the cream has solidified and become clotted!

Remove your pan from the fridge and bottle up your delicious goodness! There may be some separation. Leave the liquid in the pan, but if your cream seems too thick, add in some of the liquid and stir.

Enjoy your clotted cream on homemade scones, or whatever else you want to spread it on (which is everything for me). Your clotted cream will be good in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week, so eat it up quickly, which shouldn’t be hard!

How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (3)

Enjoy this authentic British classic with this easy clotted cream recipe.

Ingredients

  • Pint Heavy Whipping Cream (unpasteurized is best or at least not ultra-pasteurized)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to lowest setting (around 180 F).
  2. Pour heavy whipping cream into a 9x13 glass pan.
  3. Cover tightly with foil. Put the pan in the oven for about 12 hours until the top is lightly golden.
  4. Remove from oven and let cool.
  5. Move to the fridge for at least 12 hours until cream is solid.
  6. Scoop into a jar and serve with scones or anything else.
How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (4)

How to Make Authentic British Clotted Cream (2024)

FAQs

How is clotted cream made in England? ›

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 the American equivalent of clotted cream? ›

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.

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

When it comes to Devonshire cream, however, they are actually the same thing. Devonshire cream simply refers to clotted cream that is made in Devon, and clotted cream made in Cornwall may also be referred to as Cornish cream.

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).

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.

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 not sold in Canada? ›

"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.

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.

Can I put clotted cream in coffee? ›

Can you put clotted cream in coffee? Clotted cream is too heavy for coffee, but single and double cream can be used. To float double cream on top add some sugar to the coffee and lightly whip the cream first.

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 clotted cream in Scotland? ›

Clotted cream is the most delicious thing in the world. Or, to put it more technically: it's a dairy product made by heating unpasteurized milk slowly in a shallow pan until the cream rises to the surface and thickens, or clots. The milk is left to cool, and the creamy top is skimmed off and collected as clotted cream.

Who puts jam first on a scone? ›

What topping goes first: jam or cream? The two English counties famous for cream teas are Cornwall and Devon, and they differ on order. Cornish cream tea will do jam then cream, Devonians do it the other way around.

What do the British eat with 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.

What does English clotted cream taste like? ›

What Does It Taste Like? Clotted cream has a mildly sweet flavor often described as having a nutty, cooked milk taste.

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