November 21, 2014 — last updated May 14, 2023
Clotted Cream, customary for afternoon tea (or cream tea) is a thick, unsweetened cream that comes from the best Devon cows served on English scones. Read on to find out about the making of the cream and the history behind this quintessential British pastime.
Everyone has heard of the British afternoon tea, but not everyone has heard of clotted cream. It is always served with scones and jam that is like a marriage of butter and cream. It takes some time to make (but not very laborious) and well worth it because an afternoon tea is not complete without it.
The History and Tradition of Afternoon Tea:
The tradition of afternoon tea started in the early 19th Century when the wealthy set felt they needed a ‘pick-me-up’ in the afternoon. This is not surprising because they typically ate just 2 meals a day; breakfast and dinner, so the skipping of that 3rd meal led to a mid afternoon slump hence the creation of afternoon tea.
Traditionally, the upper classes would serve a ‘low’ or ‘afternoon’ tea around four o’clock. The middle and lower classes would have a more substantial ‘high’ tea , served later in the day at five or six o’clock, in place of a late dinner.The ‘high’ and ‘low’ names were given for the height of the tables used each time.
Weather permitting tea would be served in the garden. If typical grey skies loomed and impending rain was upon them (typical British weather) the tea service would then be served indoors in the Drawing Room. The drawing room a room in the house where one could ‘withdraw’ to for privacy with their guests.
What is cream tea?
Cream tea is afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones with clotted cream and jam. If you’re not serving scones and cream, it’s not cream tea.
What do they serve at a traditional afternoon tea?
The selection of food ranged from savory to sweet. Starting, of course, with a pot of tea. Traditional Black English tea, Darjeeling (an aromatic floral tea from India) or Earl Grey (a blend of black teas scented with oil of bergamot) were typically served.
Sandwiches were usually cucumber with cream cheese, radish and butter or smoked salmon and always with the crust removed, sometimes open-faced. They were known as finger sandwiches.
What is the difference between clotted cream and whipped cream?
In addition to the butterfat content, clotted cream has a minimum of 55%, it’s the preparation of the cream that is the difference. Whipping cream is simply whisked until thickened. Clotted cream is cooked at a low temperature for hours until the cream clots and thickens on the top and that is what is used.
Is clotted cream good for you?
I would say, yes and no. Yes, in that you are consuming calcium, but no as I wouldn’t recommend eating it every day because of the fat content.
What comes first, the jam or cream? The jam and cream debate:
There is an ongoing debate of which is best, to spread jam or cream on the scone first. I prefer the jam first with the cream on top. This way it is easier to spread the jam on the scone. A fun fact, this is the way the Queen likes it too.
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Yield: 4 -6
Clotted Cream for Afternoon Tea
Clotted cream is a very British, thick cream made from the best Devon cows that is traditionally served on English scones for afternoon tea.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Additional Time8 hours
Total Time9 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (473 ml) container pasteurized heavy cream
Instructions
- Place a large heatproof bowl over a large saucepan of water (make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Add the cream to the bowl and bring the water to a simmer.
- Using a candy thermometer, bring the temperature of the cream to 180° F (82°C) and maintain that temperature for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the boiler.Allow to cool, then wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
- Skim the clotted cream off the top and put into a container with a lid.
- Serve on a warm scone with strawberry jam.
Notes
Yields 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces)
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1
Amount Per ServingCalories 270Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 90mgSodium 21mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 2gProtein 2g
This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.
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posted by Janette on November 21, 2014
54 Comments / Leave a Comment »
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Melissa — @ Reply
I found clotted cream to be devine, especially on a scone! The gentle sweet taste and somewhat buttery, lightly creamy texture absolutely delighted my mouth. I make good strawberry preserves and passable scones but since returning to the US, I have not experienced a true cream tea. This recipe has my hopes raised that I can recreate a British culinary experience that I really enjoyed when I lived in the west country.
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Janette — @ Reply
I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Eva Rector — @ Reply
I lived in Scotland for a wee while, and became thoroughly enamored of scones and clotted cream. You can’t get clotted cream where I live, so I was very excited to find your relatively uncomplicated recipe for it; I can’t wait to try it out!
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Janette — @ Reply
It is not easy to find, I hope you enjoy the recipe
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Cameron — @ Reply
This worked out well for me. Made your scones too, served with blackberry jam and everything was so good.
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Janette — @ Reply
This makes me so happy and green with envy, I need to make scones soon. Thanks Cameron
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Bonny Larimore — @ Reply
The cream I can get is ultra-pasteurized and I’ve heard that won’t work. Can you chime in please?
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Janette — @ Reply
Hi Bonny, this is correct, ultra is known not to work. If you are in the U.S., Whole Foods carries an organic pasteurized cream.
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Maria — @ Reply
Thank you so much for this! I haven’t tried it yet, but I will! I’ve been working at baking the perfect scone-plain and with a very short texture. But clotted cream is not sold everywhere here in the states! Thank you for sharing!
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Janette — @ Reply
Thank yo so much for your feedback. Please come back and let me know how it turns out for you and I look forward to seeing those scones 🙂
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Roberta — @ Reply
I wonder if this could be made using a sous vide? The cream would be put in an airtight bag then immersed in water. The sous vide would keep the water at a constant 18o degrees.
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Janette — @ Reply
I am not familiar with the sous vide method, but I am intrigued to know to 🙂
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Camille — @ Reply
Thank you very much for your delightful and informative article. While I have not yet been able to travel to England (I will get there someday), I do appreciate the recipe for clotted cream and plan on making it for my next tea party. It will certainly make it more authentic and can hardly wait to one day experience a “real” English tea.!
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Joy E Dannelly — @ Reply
How interesting! I didn’t know the difference between “high” & “low” teas, and in fact would have guessed just the opposite!
Am anxious to try making the clotted cream. Have heard of it and love scones but never had them served properly! Thank you for sharing!! -
Zareen — @ Reply
Thank you so much for the informative account. I have read about the scones with clotted cream and keen to try it. Will settle for making it till I go to England sometime
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Janette — @ Reply
Homemade clotted cream is time consuming, but definitely worth it until you can get over to England to try it. Thanks for stopping by.
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S Miller — @ Reply
I, too, thank you for unraveling the mysteries of clotted cream. I often make my own butter, buttermilk, yogurt and bread, and am looking forward to adding this to my culinary achievements!
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Gina — @ Reply
What do you do with the rest of the cream after the clotted parts have been skimmed off? Can it be used for anything else or is it just thrown away?
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Janette — @ Reply
I just use it like you would milk. You can add it to your coffee or use it when baking in place of milk. I hope this helps and thanks for stopping by.
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Donna J Shepherd — @ Reply
I never knew how clotted cream was made. Thanks so much!
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Janette — @ Reply
Thanks so much for stopping by Donna
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Dotti — @ Reply
Bless you. I am so looking forward to making this clotted cream. I had a Scottish grandmother and an English grandmother. I miss theses lovely ladies and their tea so much Blessings too all of them and you!
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Janette — @ Reply
Aww, this is so sweet. Thank you Dotti.
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Kristine — @ Reply
Can you freeze the clotted cream? I’m going to try your recipe tomorrow! Fingers crossed! I just made the scones today. After my trip to Scotland and England last month I can’t get enough of a creamy tea!
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Janette — @ Reply
Hi Kristine, I have not tried freezing but after research it looks like it should be fine.
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Janette — @ Reply
Thanks for the recipe for clotted cream. Love that stuff! I was born in Exeter, England, and my aunt always woke us up with tea and biscuits. Never forgot that ritual. Since living in the USA I’ve gone to tea rooms here, but they’re not the same as the tea rooms in Exeter. By the way, I really like your name (Janette).
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Janette — @ Reply
Hi Janette,
I love your name too 🙂 I agree, they try to re-create tea here in the U.S., but it’s just not the same. Thank you for connecting
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Marie — @ Reply
Could you tell me what quantity of clotted cream you get with those 16oz of heavy cream please?
Thank you very much for your answer.-
Janette — @ Reply
Hi Marie, the amount of clotted cream yielded varies each time I make it, depending on how much of it clots. When I did this post, I got 2 of the jars in the picture full. They are 3/4 cup (6 ounces) for a total of 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces). I hope this helps, thanks so much.
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Ashley — @ Reply
Do you do anything with the leftover liquid?
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Sarah — @ Reply
Have you ever attempted this process by setting up the same double boiler in an oven set to 180?
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Janette — @ Reply
Hi Sarah, I have seen this method but never tried it. I plan to one day. Thank you for stopping by.
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Sara — @ Reply
Hi, can I make this with whipped cream?
Txs
Sara-
Janette — @ Reply
Hi Sara, you can’t make it with whipped cream, you have to start with the cream in it’s liquid form. You can use whipped cream in it’s place (for topping scones) instead of going making the recipe but it is slightly different. The whipped is light and the clotted cream is thick and creamier. But I hope this helps.
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Linda — @ Reply
Could this be made in a metal double boiler, or is a china-type bowl necessary? I’m hoping to make this for a little tea I’m hosting tomorrow. It sounds lovely. Thank you
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Janette — @ Reply
Hello Linda. I’m not sure how the metal will react with the cream. I used a glass mixing bowl, so if you have one of those I would go with that. Hope this helps and enjoy your tea tomorrow 🙂
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DeAnn Smith Caylor — @ Reply
If your double boiler is stainless steel, it should be fine. I would avoid aluminum at all costs.
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Janette — @
Thank you for the information DeAnn
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Kathy — @ Reply
How long is this good if you want to make it ahead?
Thanks-
Janette — @ Reply
Hi Kathy, I would say use it within 10 days of making it.
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Aaliyah — @ Reply
When making, there is a film that develops on the top of the cream while it’s on the stove. Should I mix a little bit or leave the film?
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Janette — @ Reply
Hello Aaliyah, the skin is part of the clotted process and is totally normal, just leave it. I hope you like the recipe 🙂
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Beks — @ Reply
This is an easier way to make cream than I’ve seen before. I’m going to have to try it. 🙂
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Janette — @ Reply
Thank you Beks. I hope you like it.
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Helen Weaver — @ Reply
I enjoyed the explanation of afternoon tea. I loved the pumpkin scones with the apple whipped cream. I will also give the clotted cream a try. I have not been pleased with any that I have ordered in a jar, sure the homemade will be better.
I wondered if you had the recipe for the cakes you show in the picture of the tiered cake stand holding cakes for tea. The one topped with caramel looks divine.-
Janette — @ Reply
Hi Helen, thank you so much and I hope you like the clotted cream. Those cakes do look delicious, but I don’t have the recipes for them, sorry.
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Healing Tomato — @ Reply
Must have some afternoon tea and this clotted cream recipe this afternoon.
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Culinary Hill — @ Reply
The clotted cream and scones looks positively mouth-watering, although I think I’d opt for an entire tiered tray of tea sandwiches, myself. 🙂 Darjeeling has always been my favorite black tea, too! Lovely article, thanks for sharing the history of your lovely country. 🙂
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Helen @ Scrummy Lane — @ Reply
I’ve never given the ‘high’ and ‘low’ aspect of afternoon tea a thought before, so thanks for explaining that! Fresh scones are my favourite afternoon tea ‘essentials’!
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Janette Fuschi — @ Reply
It seems so logical, doesn’t it? Thank you Helen.
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Mira Cookinglsl — @ Reply
Thanks for sharing Janette, I did not know the history of afternoon tea! I wish I was able to skip the their meal 🙂 Will check the clotted cream recipe, too.
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Kathleen HapaNom — @ Reply
I never knew the history of Afternoon Tea – thank you so much for sharing! I have only had clotted cream a few times (when having tea at a nice hotel while traveling), but it was such a wonderful experience and so incredibly delicious!
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Janette Fuschi — @ Reply
Thank you so much Kathleen.
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Patty Anderson — @ Reply
I also left a comment on the site Janette. This was delightful to read.
54 Comments on “Clotted Cream for Afternoon Tea”
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