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    Home » Recipes » Baking

    Homemade Clotted Cream(Video)

    Published: Dec 17, 2021 by Charlé Visser · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments · 1364 words. · About 7 minutes to read this article.

    jump to recipe Jump to Video

    Clotted cream, known also as Devonshire or Cornish cream is a popular British cream tea or afternoon tea condiment served with homemade scones and strawberry jam.

    Making traditional clotted cream requires a very specific cream, cooked at a low temperature for a long time.

    This recipe for homemade clotted cream will teach you two methods to make it quick, easy and luxuriously smooth with any type of high fat cream without waiting for hours or ending up with a load of whey.

    clotted cream in ceramic dish and glass jar on marble background
    Jump to:
    • What is it?
    • What does it taste like
    • Best cream to use
    • Stovetop instructions
    • Microwave instructions
    • Video
    • Other cooking options
    • Tips for success
    • Variations
    • How to use it
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Useful equipment
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    What is it?

    Clotted cream is neither butter nor whipped cream but rather a thick spreadable smooth cream.

    It traditionally comes from the South of England where 55-60% fat heavy cream from Jersey or Guernsey cows are "baked" at 80°C or 176°F for 12 hours or until the cream clots.

    It usually has skin on top, formed when some of the fats separate from the cream and settle on top.

    Underneath this layer lies a deliciously rich and creamy spread that goes exceptionally well with homemade scones, pumpkin bread or apple cake.

    What does it taste like

    If done correctly it should have a rich slightly sweet nutty, buttery caramel taste.

    The texture is thick yet velvety smooth and luxurious.

    The creamy flavour is much more intense than simply whipped cream or other unflavored dairy products.

    Best cream to use

    Unless you can get your hands on real Jersey or Guernsey cream you will most likely be using one of the following:

    • Heavy cream - 36-40% fat content.
    • Whipping cream - 30-36% fat content.
    • UHT cream - 33% fat content.

    For this recipe, I used UHT(ultra-high pasteurised) cream to demonstrate that it is possible and the results extremely delicious.

    Stovetop instructions

    picture steps to make clotted cream on the stove top
    1. Add cream and butter to a pan.
    2. Bring to a simmer while whisking.
    3. Continue whisking and reduce the cream by half.
    4. Pour a little bit on a cold plate and place it into the freezer to check that it sets. If it needs to reduce a bit more then do that.
    5. Once ready pour into storage jars and place into the fridge until completely chilled and set.

    Microwave instructions

    picture steps to make clotted cream in microwave
    1. Place the cream without any butter into a shallow microwave dish about halfway filled.
    2. Microwave at 5 minute intervals checking the progress and making sure the cream doesn't spillover.
    3. After 15 minutes(3 x 5 minute intervals) check to see if the clotted cream sets by placing a bit onto a small dish into the freezer for 5 minutes.
    4. Once ready simply chill in the fridge until completely set before serving.

    Video

    Other cooking options

    If you have the time to wait or need to do this while you go do something else then use one of these methods.

    I have to warn you though. There will only be a thin layer of clotted cream and a lot of milky whey leftover. Which of course you could use in something else.

    Yet, if you want the traditional method with untraditional ingredients then go ahead.

    • Slow cooker - Fill your cooker ¼ with water. Set your cooker to low. Place a dish filled with cream into the water. Cook for 12 hours. Set in the fridge before scooping off the clotted cream.
    • Oven - Turn your oven to 80°C or 176°F. Fill a shallow dish ¾ way up with cream. Bake for 12 hours and chill completely in the fridge before harvesting your clotted cream from the top.

    Tips for success

    • Always use high-fat cream. 33% minimum.
    • Take care not to burn the cream by whisking frequently and microwaving in bursts until done.
    • Allow your clotted cream to set in the fridge before serving.
    • Do not throw out the skin that forms on top of the cream. It's delicious and should be eaten with the rest of the cream.

    Variations

    Clotted cream can be flavoured if you want. It's especially delicious with seasonal additions like spice over Christmas or a little bit of vanilla in summer.

    • Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg.
    • Booze - brandy, whiskey, rum, Cointreau, sauterne.
    • Flavourings - cocoa, vanilla, citrus zest, truffle.

    My favourite combination for sweet preparations - Cinnamon, Cointreau and vanilla.

    My favourite combination for savoury preparations - Truffle and sauternes.

    How to use it

    Sweet preparations

    • Ice cream - Replace one-quarter of the cream with clotted cream when making vanilla or any other ice cream.
    • Topping for desserts - Classic British desserts like treacle tart, sticky toffee pudding and cherry tart is decadent and extra delicious served with a dollop of clotted cream.
    • Afternoon tea - Either Devonshire or Cornish tea. Your choice. Clotted cream is a must for freshly baked scones. Whether you put the cream or the jam first.

    Savoury preparations

    • Creamy sauces and soups - Beef stroganoff or a creamy leek and potato soup taste extra rich and creamy when you stir in a dollop just before serving.
    • Pasta - Fresh homemade pasta with clotted cream and a generous grating of Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper is the perfect cosy lunch or quick dinner.
    • Bruschetta - Instead of using ricotta or mozzarella spread a bit of clotted cream on toasted sourdough bread topped with semi-dried cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can it be frozen?

    Not recommended because the texture becomes grainy when defrosted. However, it can be frozen, thawed and used in recipes where it would get heated up. Like soups or baking.

    How to store it?

    Store airtight in sealable containers or jars in the fridge.

    How long does it keep?

    Will keep well for up to 6 days.

    Useful equipment

    sauce pan set

    Sauce Pan Set

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    ceramic baking dishes

    Ceramic Baking Dishes

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    whisk

    Whisk

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    kilner jars

    Small Kilner jars

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    Recipe

    clotted cream in ceramic dish and glass jar on marble background
    5 from 8 votes
    Pin Recipe Print

    Homemade Clotted Cream

    Homemade clotted creammade in the microwave or on the stove top. Rich smooth and the perfect topping for biscuits or scones.
    Author Charlé Visser
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 10 portions
    Course Condiments, Dessert
    Cuisine British
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    For the stovetop method

    • 1 Litre (4 ¼ cups) cream - Heavy or whipping cream (note 1)
    • 50 grams (3 ½ tablespoon) butter - note 2

    For the microwave method

    • 1 Litre (4 ¼ cups) cream - Heavy or whipping cream (note 1)

    Instructions

    For the stovetop method

    • Add cream and butter to a pan.
    • Bring to a simmer while whisking. Continue whisking and reduce the cream by half.
    • Pour a little bit on a cold plate and place into the freezer to check that it sets. If if needs to reduce a bit more then do that.
    • Once ready pour into storage jars and place into the fridge until completely chilled and set.

    For the microwave method

    • Place the cream without any butter into a shallow microwave dish about halfway filled.
    • Microwave on 5 minute intervals checking the progress and making sure the cream don't spill over.
    • After 15 minutes(3 x 5 minute intervals) check to see if the clotted cream sets by placing a bit onto a small dish into the freezer for 5 minutes.
    • Once ready simply chill in the fridge until completely set before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Do not use cream with a fat percentage less than 33%. The higher the better.
    2. Butter adds butteriness and extra flavour. It works great for the stovetop method as you can whisk and emulsify often. You could leave the butter out if you want. Doing this in a microwave is difficult so I left it out of the microwave method to avoid a grainy texture.
    3. Make sure to cool the clotted cream completely before serving.
    4.  
    5. It does not freeze well as the texture becomes grainy once defrosted. However, it can be frozen and then used in other preparations like soup, ice cream bases or for baking. Anywhere the cream will get heated and melted again.
    Storage
    Store in the fridge airtight for up to 6 days.
    It does not freeze well as the texture becomes grainy once defrosted. However, it can be frozen and then used in other preparations like soup, ice cream bases or for baking. Anywhere the cream will get heated and melted again.
    Alternative Cooking methods 
    • Slow cooker - Fill your cooker ¼ with water. Set your cooker to low. Place a dish filled with cream into the water. Cook for 12 hours. Set in the fridge before scooping off the clotted cream.
    • Oven - Turn your oven to 80°C or 176°F. Fill a shallow dish ¾ way up with cream. Bake for 12 hours and chill completely in the fridge before harvesting your clotted cream from the top.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 50g Calories: 348kcal Carbohydrates: 3g Protein: 2g Fat: 37g Saturated Fat: 23g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 11g Cholesterol: 138mg Sodium: 43mg Potassium: 82mg Sugar: 1g Vitamin A: 1478IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 71mg Iron: 1mg
    Keywords:cornish cream, devonshire cream, homemade clotted cream
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    1. Miche Campbell

      at

      Hi,

      Do you recommend salted or unsalted butter?

      Reply
      • Charlé Visser

        at

        unsalted

        Reply
        • Miche Campbell

          at

          Thanks! Off to the shops I go...

          Reply
    2. Shirlsaw63

      at

      As an American clotted cream lover this is genius. I just need to see how it works in smaller amounts since girl's figure can't handle too much of this LOL. Thanks for the methods - I will be trying them.

      Reply
    3. Iñaki

      at

      In your video you said you added extra fat. How much white fat did you add?
      Double cream - 1 L
      Butter - 50g
      Fat - ??
      Much appreciate it.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Charlé Visser

        at

        It’s just the butter. That’s the extra fat.

        Reply
    4. Mary

      at

      Thank you for this method. We live in a small town and the stores only carry ultra pasteurized it UHT. I did 4 1/2 c of heavy whipping cream on the stove but it took nearly an hour to cook down. The test on the plate on freezer came out great. This is the best method I have found. Waiting 12 hours to see if it worked wasn’t an option. Bravo

      Reply
    5. Chuck

      at

      5 stars
      When do you add the whisky and how much?

      Reply
      • Charlé Visser

        at

        If you want to taste a little booze at the end. If you just want some flavour, at the start. 25 ml to 500ml cream is fine.

        Reply
    6. Ellen Daly

      at

      5 stars
      Hi, I’m delighted to have come across your recipe and methods for making clotted cream using UHT cream! Can you please give the quantities needed to add flavorings, in particular the rum version and your favorite, the Cointreau and vanilla?

      Reply
      • Charlé Visser

        at

        One vanilla pod is fine or just use a few drops paste. Alco I usually just add 25 grams. Also love a bit of cognac

        Reply
    7. Bobby J

      at

      5 stars
      This is super. Been making the microwave version for a few months now. It comes out super tasty, a bit of toasty nuttiness and slightly sweet. It is alternately the world's creamiest butter, or the butteriest cream. I tried buying an expensive little jar of clotted cream imported from England - it tasted like plastic compared to the home made UHT microwave version. Be careful not to nuke a small batch too much or it will separate. This had only happened when I was doing a very small batch. I will try the stovetop version soon. Thanks.

      Reply
    8. Julie

      at

      5 stars
      Hi,

      i’ve tried making the stovetop clotted cream. The first time I made it, it came out perfectly. Second time though, it became grainy. I used the same recipe, same method. Do you think you could tell me what caused this?

      Reply
      • Charlé Visser

        at

        It means you slightly lost the emulsion. The grainy bits are solidified fat that split out. You could try and heat it up again, add a touch of cream, blend with a hand blender while hot then set again.

        Reply

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