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17 Uses for Creme Fraiche

June 14, 2022 ยท In: Cooking Guides and Tutorials

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If creme fraiche is an ingredient you would like to work with more often, or you have never used it and want to, then this post is for you! Iโ€™ll not only show you many uses for creme fraiche, but Iโ€™ll give you some recipe ideas to help you use this versatile ingredient, and a few that you may not have thought about!

Creme Fraiche-

I personally love this ingredient! It has many uses in your kitchen, and if you have not tried working with it, I hope you give it a go after reading this post. Creme fraiche is similar in appearance to sour cream or Mexican Crema, but with a higher fat content and a smoother less acidic taste.

Homemade Creme Fraiche

This is so easy to make at home, you may never buy it again! If you want to try making your own, all you need are two simple ingredients and a jar with a tight fitting lid. I even have a post showing you how to make it at home! Check out my post on How to Make Creme Fraiche for all the details.

Where to Buy Creme Fraiche

If creme fraiche is an ingredient you donโ€™t use much, you may be wondering where to find it. Until a few years ago, its availability was limited mostly to gourmet food shops and upscale markets. Now, you can find it in almost any grocery store. I have found that it is usually with the gourmet cheeses rather than in the dairy section.

Comparing Homemade Creme Fraiche To Store Bought

I have found that there is not a huge difference in quality using store bought over homemade creme fraiche, or vice versa. 

However, making your own saves a substantial amount of money over using store bought. The ingredients needed to make creme fraiche yourself are very inexpensive and something you likely already have in your kitchen right now.

Another argument in favor of making creme fraiche rather than buying it is that it is sold in very small quantities, so if you need a fair amount you will end up spending quite a bit of money. Making it means that you can have as much as you need. 

All of that being said, if you unexpectedly find yourself needing creme fraiche but you donโ€™t have any and you donโ€™t have time to make it, this is when store bought really comes in handy. Sometimes convenience wins out in the end and you have to go with the quicker option.

Creme Fraiche Uses

Whether you are looking for some ideas to help you use up creme fraiche if you have only a little left in a container, or some great ideas for using creme fraiche in recipes, Iโ€™ve got you covered! Creme fraiche is one of the best kept secrets in any kitchen, and it lends itself to so many applications. Here are a number of ideas to get you started!

Stirred Into Sauces

It is great in sauces. All that lovely fat in the creme fraiche means no curdling when it boils! It will add a creaminess along with a slight tang. You could add it to the sauce for this delicious Rigatoni Primavera, or add a dollop to the sauce as it cooks for this Chicken With Artichoke Cream Sauce.ย 

closeup photo of rigatoni primavera

With Salmon

Creme Fraiche and salmon are very good friends indeed. Whether itโ€™s on a sandwich, spooned on top of grilled or baked salmon, or as part of a sauce, these two play nicely together. Stir in some herbs for a sandwich spread, or mix a little salt, pepper, and herbs for a savory topping.

Breakfast

If anything ever belonged on a brunch table, it is creme fraiche. Itโ€™s even great with eggs and Roasted Vegetable Breakfast Hash. It is a nice pairing with waffles and pancakes, and this recipe for Vanilla Dutch Baby with Clementine Curd. Or, give these Peanut Butter, Banana, and Oat Muffins a little zing by cutting them in half and adding a spoonful right out of the oven.

peanut butter and banana muffins

Flatbread Topping

Creme fraiche is wonderful on a flatbread or a pizza, like this Vegetable Flatbread with Creme Fraiche. Fresh herbs are stirred right in and spread on top of the flatbread dough, topped with any veggies you like, and baked.

flatbread and creme fraiche

Baked Goods and Desserts

Creme Fraiche can be swapped for ingredients like sour cream or buttermilk in cheesecake recipes. I have used it in place of the buttermilk in my recipe for Cheesecake With Blackberry Lavender Swirl and it turns out rather nice.ย 

Pie and creme fraiche are a lovely combination as well. Add a little granulated white sugar to the creme fraiche, give it a stir, and jazz up that pie! It’s great served with these Rhubarb and Apricot Hand Pies.

Chocolate loves creme fraiche, and what better way to bring them together than adding a scoop of sweetened creme fraiche on top of some Dark Chocolate Orange Cheesecake.

You can also serve it on ice cream, or make it part of your ice cream base in an ice cream machine.

slice of blackberry cheesecake on a plate

Topping For Scones

Toppings such as creme fraiche are almost synonymous with something like freshly baked scones. Itโ€™s especially great on these White Chocolate Rosemary Scones with Pear Curd.

Plate of white chocolate scones

Salad Dressings

Stirring a little creme fraiche into mayonnaise or buttermilk based salad dressings adds a nice touch. But when it’s a dressing tossed with creme fraicheโ€™s best friend the potato? Look out. It’s so good!

With Soups

One of my favorite ways to use creme fraiche is in soups. It provides depth, creaminess, and a little acidity all at the same time. I love it with Cream of Asparagus Soup! As a variation, you could also stir it into Leek and Potato Soup or Easy Red Kuri Squash Soup in place of heavy cream.

closeup of asparagus soup

I hope this post about the many uses for creme fraiche was helpful and informative.  If you tried any of the various ideas, I’d love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below, or take a picture and tag me @thecoppertable on Instagram. You can also pin to a board on Pinterest or share with your friends on social media! If you have not signed up for my newsletter, you can do that below. I have all sorts of exclusive content just for newsletter subscribers, and Iโ€™d love for you to join. Happy Cooking!

By: thecoppertable ยท In: Cooking Guides and Tutorials

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    June 15, 2022 at 5:08 am

    These are all such a good idea, I always wonder how to use up creme fraiche so I’ll bookmark this list. Thank you.

    Reply
    • thecoppertable says

      June 23, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      You are most welcome!

      Reply
  2. Freya says

    June 15, 2022 at 6:51 am

    Ooh this was helpful! I never use a whole tub for a recipe but hate to throw away whatโ€™s left, now I need never have any waste!

    Reply
    • thecoppertable says

      June 23, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      Thank you Freya! I love reducing kitchen waste and there really are a lot of ways to use just a little bit left in a carton so it all gets used up.

      Reply
  3. Jean says

    June 15, 2022 at 8:20 am

    We use a lot of sour creams and this will be a good alternative, especially as scone toppings. Can’t wait to try the rest of the recipes you listed that use creme fraiche.

    Reply
    • thecoppertable says

      June 23, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      It is really good with scones. One of my favorite ways to eat creme fraiche!

      Reply
  4. Nora says

    June 15, 2022 at 6:54 pm

    What a great list! I love using crรจme fraรฎche for cooking. It gives the food such a wonderful texture!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    June 15, 2022 at 11:04 pm

    so versatile! can’t wait to whip up some of these recipes!

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    July 11, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    Great ideas Amy! I love to use creme fraiche, but now love it, even more, thanks for these ideas!

    Reply
    • thecoppertable says

      July 12, 2022 at 10:23 pm

      You are welcome Natalie!

      Reply
  7. Shelby says

    July 11, 2022 at 6:14 pm

    I never would have thought to use it on top of flatbread, love it!

    Reply
  8. y says

    July 11, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    lots of great ideas on how to use Creme Fraiche. thanks for the Inso

    Reply
  9. Katie says

    July 13, 2022 at 3:30 am

    Love when a food can be so flexible! I can’t wait to try all these recipes out!

    Reply
    • thecoppertable says

      July 15, 2022 at 4:54 am

      I am always amazed what you can do with a tub of creme fraiche!

      Reply

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