How to Use Up 1 Tub of Crème Fraîche in 5 Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with cream fraiche? ›

Crème fraiche can be frozen as it is or used as a base in frozen desserts like mousse or parfait. When defrosted, crème fraiche loses its original texture. Use it in soups, sauces and stews that are blended before serving.

Creme fraiche is thicker, richer (see: fat content), and less tangy than sour cream, and since it won't curdle if you boil it, it's great to use in soups and sauces.

No deflating, leaking or other problems, and no need to add cornstarch or gelatin to keep the whipped cream looking good on top of the pie or cake. Creme Fraiche is a lightly cultured cream so it has a pleasant tartness to it — not too pronounced but just enough to give the whipped cream a slight edge.

Creme fraiche is a great substitute for cream or sour cream in many recipes. Creme fraiche is also ideal when cooking because it can be heated without the risk of curdling, so it's perfect for making velvety thick sauces. Dishes that use creme fraiche include cakes, dips, sauces, pasta and finger food.

Crème fraîche is a fragile product. From the moment a pouch or pack is opened, the product is no longer protected. This is why it states on the packaging the product should be consumed quickly, usually within 3 or 4 days after opening, whilst the product retains its flavour and nutritional quality.

Typically, crème fraîche will keep for up to eight weeks if refrigerated. If separation occurs, gently stir the liquid back into the crème fraîche. If any mold forms on the surface of the crème fraîche, discard it immediately.

Keep it tightly sealed in the container in which it is sold. Crème fraîche containers are stamped with a “sell by” date, which refers to how long the retail store can keep the product for sale on the shelf. Typically, crème fraîche will keep for up to eight weeks, if refrigerated.

Because of its higher fat content, we can also heat crème fraîche to higher temperatures without fear of it curdling. This makes it a great choice for enriching a pasta sauce or soup.

Sour cream (which has less fat) is the best and easiest substitute, but it's not as rich or tangy as crème fraîche. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is another substitute, but it doesn't have the same smooth texture or mild flavor.

What is crème fraîche called in USA? ›

Crème fraîche (pronounced "krem fresh") is a version of sour cream with a higher fat content, which makes it good for cooking because it is less prone to curdling when you simmer it. While it looks similar to sour cream, crème fraîche is thicker, richer, and tastes less tangy than sour cream.

If you can't find crème fraîche at your local grocery store, sour cream can be used as a 1:1 substitute, and vice versa. Just keep in mind that sour cream is a bit more sour in flavor and less rich than crème fraîche. "Crème fraîche can substitute in any recipe that calls for sour cream," suggests Druart.

To whip crème fraîche, proceed as with whipped cream: make sure it is well chilled, use a chilled metal bowl and beaters or whisk, and simply whisk or beat until soft peaks form. Wear an apron and you may want to do this in the sink so any splatters are somewhat contained.

You can whip cream with another creamy ingredient such as crème fraîche and mascarpone – make sure it has enough fat content or it won't whip. The cream should be very cold. The bowl and whisk should also be cold, chill the bowl if you have time and use a glass or metal bowl if you have one.

It can also be whipped, and when sweetened with a little sugar and vanilla, it can be used in place of whipped cream. Or you can stir a little into your savoury sauces to thicken and enrich. Place a dollop on your baked potato, on scrambled eggs, or as an accompaniment to fish or poultry.

It's truly an everyday kitchen staple and is delightful added to sweet or savory dishes. It's good for baking in cakes, or lightly sweetening and topping slices of pie. Its food BFF may be the potato, but we'd also add a spoonful to soups or stews, pasta, or even in a salad dressing.

More of the original sweet milky flavors come through. Crème fraîche is a fantastic and versatile ingredient in the kitchen. In a broad sense, you can use crème fraîche as a substitute for yogurt, sour cream, or even mayonnaise in most recipes.

Sour cream may contain thickening agents like gelatin or polysaccharides to create a smooth texture, while creme fraiche's fermentation process naturally produces a thicker texture than sour cream. Plus, sour cream has a tangier taste than creme fraiche, which has a rich and creamy taste.

Double cream has a higher fat content – around 48-50 per cent, and it's not commonly available here. Crème fraîche, on the other hand, is cream that's had a culture added, making it slightly sour in flavour. It's around 40 per cent fat. If you're trying to cook healthily, however, cream is not an everyday ingredient.