Hosts serving crème fraîche cold
For dips, sauces or toppings served at the table, you’ll want a thick texture that’s suitable for serving.
Who are these options for?
Larger households preparing several dishes
You need enough crème fraîche for your recipes, while also considering fridge space and how much you’ll use after opening.
Cooks looking to reduce fat
You compare fat content or choose a smaller amount, without assuming that every texture will work in the same recipe.
What should you look for?
Start by choosing the texture your recipes need, then add up the quantities required. This makes it easier to compare several pots, a carton of pouring cream and a large pack without treating them as interchangeable products.
Thick crème fraîche in pots
Best for: dips and toppings that need a thick texture.
Bear in mind: a large brunch may call for several pots, which you can open as needed.
Double cream in a carton
Worth considering: for a recipe that calls for cream to be stirred in or whipped, provided the product description and instructions suit the intended use.
Remember: a carton of UHT pouring cream won’t have the thick texture of chilled crème fraîche straight from the pot.
Catering bucket
Worth considering: when several recipes genuinely need a very large quantity.
Bear in mind: the 5 L bucket from Elle & Vire Professionnel means you’ll need to store and use its contents after opening.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture for serving | Whether it’s described as “thick” or “pouring”, and how the recipe uses it. | For a dip or a topping for a cold dish, I want a cream with the right texture that won’t require me to change my recipe. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise how well it holds its texture when served. |
| Volume and storage | The quantities you need, the volume of each pack and the instructions for after opening. | If I’m preparing several dishes, I want enough cream without opening more than I can use. Having enough without excess would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Fat content and uses | The fat content, texture and instructions for the recipe. | If I’m looking to reduce fat or use the same cream in different recipes, I need to check that it’s suitable for each one. Around 22% of consumers would put this factor first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Confusing thick crème fraîche with UHT pouring cream
The 1 L carton of UHT double cream in the E.Leclerc range is described differently and has a different texture from a pot of thick crème fraîche. For a dip, this difference matters more than the volume alone.
Check the product description, texture and suggested uses before choosing a pack size.
-
Buying a large pack without planning how you’ll use it
The useful amount depends on your recipes and how much you can store and use after opening, following the instructions on the packaging.
Work out how much you need, and consider buying several pots if you’d rather open only what you’ll serve.
Any extra product you’ve opened could go to waste if you can’t use it within the stated timeframe.
-
Assuming “6 pint” means a 3 L pack
A search term and the volume you want don’t necessarily refer to the same product. The thick crème fraîche sizes featured here include pots of 45 to 50 cl, while the Elle & Vire Professionnel bucket holds 5 L.
If the exact volume matters for your brunch, check the unit, quantity and product description before buying.
Brands to know when comparing pack sizes
Président
Président offers a rich, thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in 20 cl and 45 cl pots.
- These smaller sizes make it easy to choose the number of pots to suit your recipes.
- For a larger quantity, you’ll need several pots; the manufacturer doesn’t offer this product in a 3 L pack.
Elle & Vire Professionnel
The brand offers Excellence thick crème fraîche with 35% fat in a 5 L bucket for catering.
- This pack is suited to occasions when you need a very large quantity.
- Check that you’ll have space to store the bucket and can use its contents according to the instructions after opening.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour’s range includes 50 cl pots of thick crème fraîche with 30% fat, as well as products with different textures and fat contents.
- The 50 cl size makes it easy to work out how many pots you’ll need for your brunch recipes.
- Check which product you’re buying: other creams in the range may have a different texture.
Marque Repère / Delisse (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc’s range includes thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in 20 cl and 50 cl pots, as well as 1 L cartons of UHT double cream with 30% fat.
- These pack sizes give you a choice of ways to get the amount your recipes call for.
- The 1 L carton of UHT cream isn’t thick crème fraîche, so choose according to the texture you need.
Auchan / Pouce
Auchan offers thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in 50 cl pots, including products under the Auchan and Pouce brands.
- The Pouce product listing suggests using it in cold sauces and hot dishes.
- For the Auchan product described, the listing says to store it between +2 °C and +6 °C and use it soon after opening. Check the instructions on the pack you buy.
Joybuy products
Products related to this topic will be featured here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can UHT double cream replace thick crème fraîche in a dip?
Not without adapting the recipe: UHT pouring cream won’t have the thick texture you’d usually want for a dip. The 1 L carton in the E.Leclerc range is UHT double cream, so check the product description and texture rather than relying on the volume alone.
How should you store crème fraîche after opening?
Follow the temperature and use-by instructions on the packaging. For the 50 cl pot of Auchan thick crème fraîche described here, the product listing says to store it between +2 °C and +6 °C and use it soon after opening. These instructions may not apply to other products.
Can you use cream after its use-by date?
No. The DGCCRF states that a use-by date is a strict deadline. After opening, follow the product’s own instructions too: the printed date doesn’t replace the stated timeframe for an opened pack.