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Clotted cream and scones and yes indeed, jam, are a sweet and decadent and necessary English treat to enjoy at least once in a proper setting on the terra-firma of England, but rest assured you can make this deliciously, simple luxury at home. Let me show you how.
Now there are a long-list of recipes for scones. I gave the Queen’s Royal Baker’s recipe a go for today’s post, but if you compare her Royal Highness’s classic scone recipe to Paul Hollywood or Downton Abbey’s or Mary Barry’s you will see they all are unique in their own right, so do experiment and find what you prefer. I also have my go-to for everyday scones, cream scones (you can use whole milk as a substitute), adapted from Jane Churchill and Emily Astor’s classic recipe.
I quickly came to realize the one kitchen tool that I need to welcome into my kitchen is a scale. While yes, I enjoy baking, my focus has been on cooking these past five years, not baking seriously. However with more time available to me this spring, I have been baking a bit more, and a scale to work with the precise amounts is a must. Susan Hermann Loomis and David Lebovitz recommend OXO’s scale, and it is on my list to purchase soon.
When it comes to what to put on first the clotted cream of the jam, the issue appears to be forever debateable. However, if you would like to follow Queen Elizabeth’s preference, put the jam on first just as Cornish folk are said to do, but if you are from Devon, known for their creameries, the the cream goes first, most definitely.
As you can see I decided to follow Devon’s lead and place the clotted cream on first then followed by my mother’s homemade strawberry jam. It was scrumptious. Especially when the scones are still warm, the cream melts and the jam begins to run and you just overwhelmed with all over goodness and flavor.
But first, we need to answer an important question some readers may still have:
What is clotted cream and why should you try it if you have never done so before?
Clotted cream is the thick and lovely part of fresh whole milk when slowly heated, allowing the cream to rise and then skimming the cooled cream from the top. When I was a young girl my mom would stop by a local farmer home and pick up fresh milk contained in a large glass gallon jar. At the top three inches of the jar was a layer of thick, clotted cream. It looked decadent. It looked special, and I have never seen anything like it again. I didn’t fully appreciate what we had, but I can remember it vividly. That is what clotted cream truly is. However, most of us nowadays cannot buy whole milk from the farmer with the cream on top, so we need to make our own.
Alternatives may be lovely: a salted butter with a high butterfat count, but I will admit, the clotted cream is a layer of luxury like no other. While I wouldn’t put it on by itself alone (some do enjoy this), it adds a luxurious addition of silky, butter, rich wonderfulness that surpasses butter and even simple cream when combined with the jam and the scone in tandem. It is thick, full of substance, it is deeply filling and it is not something you would want to feed your body every day. Hoewever on a lovely special occasion, it is a must and it is simple to make.
To follow Downton Abbey’s new cookbook recipe (April 2020), which offers two, you can either use a fridge or an oven, either will work.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream, pasteurized (some recipes have suggested ultra pasteurized won’t work, D.A.’s recipe seems to not think so; however, pasteurized is listed as the primary choice)
Directions for the Refrigerator:
- Set a coffee filter basket, lined with a filter, in a strainer, over a bowl. Pour the cream almost to the top of the filter.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours. The whey will sink to the bottom passing through the filter leaving a ring of clotted cream.
- Scrape this down with a rubber spatula and repeat every couple of hours until the mass reaches the consistency of soft cream cheese.
Directions for the Oven Option (more time consuming, less involved)
- Set your oven to 180F
- Pour the cream into a heavy casserole dish. It should come up about 1-3 inches on the side. Set the dish, uncovered, in the oven and leave undisturbed for 12 hours. Be sure to leave the oven on the whole time. I did this during the day (into the oven early in the morning and done by dinner).
- Remove the dish from the oven and set to cool. Then cover and refrigerate. The next morning scoop the thickened cream into a jar or jars, and cover and put back in the refrigerator for the rest of the day.
Thoughts on my experience trying to make clotted cream for the first time:
- I tried the oven method, but I found my cream turned out to thick and not as smooth as I wanted.
- The next time I make clotted cream, I will make it per the refrigerator method for a better consistency (and to save time overall).
And we cannot forget the classic scone cutter (also known as the biscuit cutter). With smooth or fluted edges, I was tickled to finally welcome these cutters, below, into my kitchen this week. With five sizes available for fewer than $17 (they also have smooth sided round cutters), you will be able to make your own classic scones at any size you want.
Now that we have our scones, our clotted cream, it is now time to find your favorite preserves or jam, make a pot of tea and enjoy a lovely cuppa. Below is a list of tea I enjoy, but as you will see in the comments in this post of 18 Ideas for Enjoying a Cuppa, there are oodles of teas to enjoy. Wishing you a wonderful afternoon full of tea, delicious nibbles and wonderful moments of conversation and relaxation.
- Palais des Thés’ Montagne Bleue black tea
- Mariage Fréres Vert Provence (green tea)
- Fortnum & Mason’s Queen Anne Blend, Earl Grey Classic, Royal Blend and many more.
- Murchie’s Lavender Loose tea and many more blends
View last year’s British Week’s recipes for an Afternoon Tea below:
8 Ideas for a Wonderful Afternoon Tea
Growing up, my grandparents had a regular working farm with cows, chickens, a huge vegetable patch, a smokehouse, all the good stuff. (And my grandmother’s beautiful flowers surrounding the house.) And there was always a short thick glass jar of the loveliest, most golden clotted cream on the top shelf of the refrigerator that was doled out almost reverently, and enjoyed most gleefully by myself over my grandmother’s , yes, homemade strawberry jam on top of a southern-style biscuit. 🙂
I definitely must try my hand at scones now.
And, might I ask, where did you find those pretty striped napkins?
Thanks Shannon, y’all have a gorgeous day!
What a delicious memory. Thank you for sharing. ? The napkins were given to me by my mother who I imagine found them while yard/garage sale treasure hunting. 🙂
Shannon you are such an educator and teacher, now I know what clotted cream is, thank you. I could not find the recipe you used for the scones. Did I overlook it?
When I lived in Savannah I had English neighbors. And she introduced me to lemon curd that is also one of my favorite delectable treats. And it’s easy to make at home.
I appreciate all the work and time you’ve put into this jolly good brilliant English Week??
Dallas
I share that I followed the Royal Bakers’ recipe and provided a link. However, I linked to three other as well in the post, and would recommend any those. You can also use my blueberry cream scone r3 pie and omit the blueberries. Here is the link to the recipe – https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/petitplaisir5/
Thanks for sharing the steps involved in making clotted cream. Wonderfully delicious!
Scones, what a lovely post. Finding grace in our style of living and joy in “the little things” is my goal in life. I have tried several recipes, all a little different. My sons GF tried to do the same, bless her heart, we are going to use them for paving stones! There is a knack to them, no doubt. I have been using The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by Emily Ansara Baines too. O’Brien’s Crumpets are a favorite. It is a rather large recipe but they freeze well! Thanks for a great week, my planned trip has been put on hold but I can pretend, yes? (ps, also love the napkins, so cheerful!)
Thank you Cheryll for sharing what has worked well for you when it comes to scone baking. Yes, there is a knack to it. Not that it is hard, but you do need to find a recipe you enjoy as everyone has different tastes, ovens, altitudes, ingredients available, etc. Downton Abbey’s is a great resource. Here is the link to the new Afternoon Tea Downton Cookbook that was just released if you want to take a look at it. https://amzn.to/3edRPux
Why are so many scones here triangle-shaped I wonder? I suppose it’s easier to cut them that way. I’ve been making a lot of scones this spring as well but I have not tried to make clotted cream yet. Something new to try!
Good question! I am not sure but I think you may be right. No need for an actually cutter, you just need to cut with a knife to make a triangle. 🙂
My English mother, her Scots/English mother, my dad’s Irish mother & my Canadian-born sister & I all make our scones in a triangle shape (you pat the dough flat & cut into squares, then triangles, OR bake in a round cake pan & cut into triangles while still warm). To me, round “scones” aren’t scones, but tea biscuits. My recipe for each is slightly different (for instance my scones have currents in them, my tea biscuits don’t). Why? I haven’t the foggiest idea! It’s just what I grew up with. LOL! But now I’m hungry for scones . . . or tea biscuits . . . or both . . . .
Yes, my dear, you need a kitchen scale! 🙂 You will be surprised how acurate measurements change your baking. I bake quite a bit, it truly is handy, and it is easier because you just fill the vessel to measure it properly vs worrying that the fill the cup method is packed to tightly or too loose. Another tip is to use those lovely cutters. Some people use a glass cup, which pinches the edges and you do not get a proper rise in a scone or biscuit. I love your inspirational blogs and podcasts. Thank you for lifting our spirits and encouraging us to elevate our days!
Michelle, I don’t know why it has taken me this long! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. I am so much happier with the scone cutters. Easier to use and utilizing all of the dough in one roll out with the differing size options. 🙂
They look lovely! We are definitely a cream first family. We had scones today, as a matter of fact:)
I thought that was an article about how the queen likes to eat her scones? I will bake some soon.
So glad to have the instructions for making clotted cream, I love it on my scones!
Pat
This looks great, I’ll have to try the recipe =)!
I can’t wait to try making these! Those napkins are so beautiful ❤️