Who is this choice for?

Anyone following a specific recipe

If the consistency of your batter depends on the type of cream specified, check whether the recipe says ‘single’, ‘semi-thick’ or ‘thick’ before changing ingredients.

Anyone looking for cream to keep unopened

UHT cream is a good option if you need a product that will keep for longer unopened. Check the pack size and storage instructions on the product you choose.

Anyone looking for a lactose-free option

Cream explicitly labelled lactose-free may meet this requirement, as long as its consistency also suits the recipe. ‘Lactose-free’ does not mean ‘milk-free’.

What should you check before choosing?

First, check whether the recipe calls for milk or cream. If it asks for cream, match its consistency and product description to the recipe, and take your storage needs into account.

What to consider What to check Who this matters to
Consistency required by the recipe Whether it says ‘single’, ‘semi-thick’ or ‘thick’, and the ingredients list, particularly whether it contains starch or thickeners. If my recipe calls for single cream in the batter, I want to avoid changing how it mixes in by using a different consistency. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise matching the specified consistency.
Storage before opening The UHT label, pack size and storage instructions for before and after opening. If I buy the cream before making my cake, I’m mainly looking for a product that can be stored unopened according to the instructions on its packaging. This would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Lactose-free labelling Clear lactose-free labelling, the stated lactose content, and whether milk appears in the ingredients or allergen information. I’m primarily looking for cream labelled lactose-free, without assuming that it contains no milk. Around 25% of consumers would put this first.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Assuming crème fraîche and UHT cream are the same

    Président distinguishes crème fraîche from long-life cream, which is made using a sterilisation process. So a recipe specifying ‘thick crème fraîche’ doesn’t simply mean any carton of UHT cream.

    Check the product description and consistency, then compare them with the wording in your recipe.

  • Using semi-thick cream instead of single cream without checking

    Semi-thick creams from Auchan and Carrefour contain ingredients such as starch or thickeners. Their consistency may not match the single cream specified for a cake batter.

    If the recipe asks for single cream, choose that consistency or check that the recipe allows a substitute.

  • Confusing ‘lactose-free’ with ‘milk-free’

    Auchan’s lactose-free single cream contains cream from milk. Its ‘lactose-free’ label does not mean it is a milk-free product.

    If you need to avoid milk, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product separately.

  • Thinking filtered milk is cream

    The fact that milk is long-life doesn’t tell you whether it can replace cream in cake batter. These ingredients aren’t interchangeable just because they have that in common.

    Before buying, check whether the recipe calls for milk or cream, and whether it specifically allows a substitution.

Brands to consider for different recipes

These ranges show some of the different consistencies and product descriptions to compare. The brand name is no substitute for checking the label of the product you choose.

Président

The range includes a full-fat gastronomic crème fraîche with 30% fat, as well as long-life creams.

  • Président describes its gastronomic crème fraîche as suitable for cooking in the oven.
  • The brand distinguishes this crème fraîche from its UHT products. Check which consistency and product description your recipe calls for.

Elle & Vire

The range includes a full-fat, pourable UHT cream with 30% fat.

  • Elle & Vire describes its pourable cream as suitable for use in hot dishes, among other things.
  • The minimum 30% fat content specified by the brand applies to whipping cream to make whipped cream; it isn’t a rule for all cake batters.

Auchan

Full-fat UHT products with 30% fat are available in pourable, semi-thick and lactose-free versions.

  • The different product descriptions make it easier to find the consistency specified in your recipe.
  • Ingredients vary between products. The semi-thick version contains starch and thickeners, while the lactose-free version contains milk.

Carrefour

The range includes full-fat semi-thick UHT cream with 30% fat, sold in 20 cl cartons.

  • The semi-thick product description helps you distinguish it from pourable cream when choosing.
  • Carrefour’s listed ingredients include starch. Don’t assume it will give your batter the same consistency as single cream.

E.Leclerc / Marque Repère

Products listed by E.Leclerc include full-fat, pourable UHT creams with 30% fat, sold under the names SOUTENONS NOS AGRICULTEURS and DELISSE.

  • The ‘pourable’ description makes it easier to identify a consistency to compare with the one specified in your recipe.
  • Check the pack size and label of the product you choose; you can’t tell these details from the retailer’s name alone.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use UHT cream instead of crème fraîche in a cake?

Not automatically. First check whether the recipe calls for single, semi-thick or thick cream. Président distinguishes crème fraîche from long-life UHT cream. For a specific recipe, also match the stated fat content, and only substitute an ingredient if the recipe allows it or you’ve checked that it will work in that recipe.

Do you need cream with 30% fat for every cake batter?

No, this isn’t a general rule for baking cakes. Use the type of cream specified in your recipe. Elle & Vire recommends a minimum fat content of 30% for whipping cream so that it holds its shape when whipped. That’s a different use from mixing cream into cake batter.

How should you store UHT cream after opening?

Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve bought and refrigerate it after opening as directed. The storage instructions and time limits given for Auchan products differ from those given by Président, so don’t apply guidance for one product to all creams.

Is lactose-free cream also milk-free?

No. The lactose-free cream featured by Auchan contains cream from milk. If you need to avoid milk, don’t rely on the ‘lactose-free’ label alone; check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.