Homemade Creme Fraiche

I live in a fairly small town which makes getting some ingredients a bit difficult. For example, I have to drive over an hour away from my home to get Creme Fraiche, a French sour cream. Thankfully there’s a simple way to make homemade Creme Fraiche, and you’re just two simple ingredients away from making it yourself. Plan ahead - you’ll need to start the process about 36 hours before it’s ready to use.

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Two simple ingredients are all you need to make amazing Creme Fraiche at home. Cultured buttermilk and heavy cream. Use the amounts listed in the recipe below and stir well to combine, then cover the jar with a breathable covering and set aside in an out-of-the-way spot for a 24 hours.

After 24 hours, the mixture should have thickened considerably. Remove the breathable covering and replace with jar lid; refrigerate overnight before using. Keep refrigerated and use within a week.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate link)

• wide mouth quart jar https://amzn.to/384YR3R

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Homemade Creme Fraiche

makes 1 quart

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cultured buttermilk

• 2 cups heavy cream (minus 3 tablespoons)

Directions

1. Place buttermilk in clean wide mouth quart-size jar and add enough heavy cream to reach the 2-cup mark; stir well to combine.

2. Cover jar with something breathable (paper towel, coffee filter, cheesecloth, etc) and secure with a rubber band.

3. Place jar in a quiet, out-of-the-way spot for 24 hours (should be 70-75F).

4. After 24 hours, mixture should be considerably thicker; replace breathable top with jar lid and chill overnight before using. Use within a week.

Notes

• Although they are often used as a substitution for each other, Creme Fraiche has a creamier flavor and is less acidic than sour cream.

• Creme Fraiche can be added to hot ingredients without curdling (unlike sour cream).

• Creme Fraiche has a higher fat content than sour cream.

• Creme Fraiche has a lower protein content than sour cream.

Homemade Cultured Sour Cream

Have you ever wondered how cultured sour cream is made? It’s pretty easy - easy enough to make yourself. All you need are a couple of ingredients and about 24 hours. Oh, and there’s no cooking required. Now that’s what I call easy!

For the ingredients, you need heavy whipping cream and plain yogurt with “live and active cultures”. You can use either regular or greek yogurt, but make sure it’s unflavored.

You can see the ingredient list on the yogurt includes “live and active cultures”.

Combine the proper ratio of cream and yogurt together in a clean jar (recipe below), then cover the jar with a paper towel or other breathable topper and set it aside in a warm corner of your kitchen for the next 24 hours while the magic happens. The sour cream can be used right away or place a lid on the jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For a more pronounced tangy flavor, stir a teaspoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice into the chilled sour cream.

Items used to make recipe:

(affiliate links)

• magnetic measuring spoons https://amzn.to/3oMaTHX

• white plastic canning jar lids (reg) https://amzn.to/3j4eVtj

• white plastic canning jar lids (wide) https://amzn.to/3vTMEZ7

• white plastic canning jar lids (combo pack) https://amzn.to/3h3CMGZ

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Homemade Cultured Sour Cream

makes 1 cup

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 tablespoon yogurt (containing lives cultured)

• (optional) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

1. Place the cream in a sterile jar; add yogurt and mix well.

2. Cover jar with a paper towel, cheesecloth, or coffee filter and set aside for 24 hours.

3. Remove paper towel and cover jar with proper lid; refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.