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How to Make Homemade Crème Fraiche

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READY IN 2+ days

Chef John's Creme Fraiche

Read Reviews (12)

"Making creme fraiche is very easy and, once you taste the magic of homemade sour cream, you'll have a hard time not repeating this esoteric exercise. Sure it takes a couple days, but the effort is minimal and the payoff is marvelous." — Chef John

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Original recipe makes 1 pint Change Servings

2 cups heavy cream

3 tablespoons cultured buttermilk

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Directions

Combine cream and buttermilk in a glass jar. Cover tightly with cheesecloth (or any breathable material) and let sit at room temperature (70 to 75 degrees F (21 to 24 degrees C)) for 24 hours. Stir, screw on lid, and refrigerate for 24 hours before using.

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PREP 5 mins
READY IN 2 days 5 mins

Footnotes

Chef's Note:
Be sure to use the best, freshest cream you can find. Look for pasteurized, not ultra-pasteurized heavy whipping cream. Make sure to use cultured buttermilk, otherwise you will wait a full day to see nothing happen.

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Reviews More Reviews

Jul 02, 2012

This is a marvelous recipe! I could put it on almost any food in my fridge! I found the correct cream at Trader Joe's, an organic one, and my buttermilk was by Knudsen. I was just going to make a half a batch but went for the whole thing. Am I ever glad! This is better than sour cream! Creme Fraiche doesn't have the same holding power of sour cream as far as consistency goes, and it's not quite as sour. But delicious it is! I highly recommend that you try this! Thank you, Chef John!

—Marianne

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Oct 07, 2012

Ultra-pasteurized heavy whipping cream works just fine. I use it exclusively and it has never failed to make great Creme Fraiche. Don't waste your time looking for pasteurized. I use Ball canning jars to make this great sour cream in and will never buy another plastic tub of it.

—William John

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16 Ratings

Dec 26, 2012

The crème fraiche was made exactly as written, and used in conjunction with Chef John's Classic Beef Stroganoff recipe. We used pasteurized cream, and found it at Whole Foods. One cautionary note . . . pasteurized cream has a fairly short shelf life so the crème fraiche will not last long in the fridge IF any is leftover. This added a special finishing touch to the beef stroganoff and so easy to make. Thank you, Chef John.

—ConkyJoe

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Feb 14, 2013

I let it sit on the top of my espresso machine or the top of my refrigerator. It is always warmer in those areas and it just works better than leaving it on the counter top. Maybe I just keep the house a little too cool? LOL

—Harley Dude

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Apr 24, 2013

We really loved this! It has become something we just do any time the heavy cream has been sitting a few days and needs to be put to use. It is so delicious and family have been taking it home with them whenever there is extra.

—RedBearX

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Apr 11, 2013

I love it! So easy. The the recipe calls for sour cream I use Creme Fraiche!

—Kelleyann_p

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Sep 08, 2012

Absolutley wonderful recipe!! I cant wait to use this in the Beef Stroganoff recipe on wednesday!

—LEWENCH

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Apr 06, 2013

this was great, love this because it is super easy, and you can simmer/reduce sauces with this unlike sour cream. and it tastes soooo much better! annnnnddddd waaaaayyyy cheaper than creme freiche that you can buy at the fancy dancy grocery stores (if you can find it at all). i used this to make chefs stroganoff and chicken and dumplings, very very rich and delicious. just be sure to be patient and let it set up properly for 48 hours. well worth the wait! tangy goodness! thanks chef!

—cathy

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Nutrition

Calories
52 kcal
3%

Carbohydrates
0.5 g
< 1%

Cholesterol
20 mg
7%

Fat
5.5 g
8%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
0.4 g
< 1%

Sodium
7 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Chef John's Creme Fraiche

Serving Size: 1/32 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 32
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 52
Calories from Fat: 50

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5.5g 8 %
Saturated Fat 3.4g 17 %
Cholesterol 20mg 7 %
Sodium 7mg < 1 %
Potassium 13mg < 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 0.5g < 1 %
Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
Protein 0.4g < 1 %
Sugars 0.1g
Vitamin A 4 %
Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium 1 %
Iron < 1 %
Thiamin < 1 %
Niacin < 1 %
Vitamin B6 < 1 %
Magnesium < 1 %
Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.