How to freeze cream

We’ve all been there. The recipe calls for just a dash of cream in the soup or a spoonful in the sauce, and it feels wasteful to chuck the rest away. We have good news for you! If you don’t need the whole pot of cream when cooking or baking, you don’t have to discard it. No matter whether you’ve got leftover single, double or whipped cream, you can freeze them all! When defrosted, it should taste just as good as when it was fresh. However, defrosted cream will never whip quite as well – it won’t firm up in the same way as freshly bought cream.

Nevertheless, it is a useful trick to have up your sleeve to reduce food waste and save money. Read on to find out the best ways to freeze cream.

How do I freeze cream?

.You have various options for freezing a pot of cream:

How to freeze cream in its original container

If you haven’t opened your pot of cream yet and won’t need it before the expiry date, you can freeze it straight away. Place the unopened pot in your freezer. If you need the cream, thaw it in the fridge overnight. 

Remember: Cream that has been frozen and defrosted doesn’t whip quite as well as fresh cream, so defrosted cream is better for soups and sauces.

How to freeze cream in an ice cube tray

If you have opened your cream or you’d rather portion it out, you can use an ice cube tray. Carefully pour the cream into the ice cube tray and freeze the whole thing. These smaller portions are ideal if you only need a dash to finish soups and sauces or for a decadent coffee. Alternatively, you can pour the remaining cream into an airtight container and freeze it. The container should be about the same size as the volume of the cream so that as little air as possible is frozen with it.

How to freeze whipped cream

This is the best way to freeze cream. Dollop mounds of cream onto a baking tray (or use a piping bag to pipe the cream into pretty swirls if you’re feeling fancy), then place carefully into the freezer. Once frozen, they can be transferred to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. 

Larger amounts of whipped cream can also be frozen in a freezer bag – remove as much air as possible before freezing. Alternatively, use an airtight container and smooth out the cream with a spoon or offset spatula to reduce air pockets. 

Always remember to label your bags or containers with the contents and the freezing date. Even if you’re sure you’ll remember what’s in the container and when you froze it, it’s amazing how quickly we forget. Having to open the container up to check the contents allows moisture in, which reduces the quality and taste. 

.

Can I freeze cream in tetrapacks?

Yes, it is possible to freeze cream in tetrapacks. However, the defrosting process takes a relatively long time, so it’s better to freeze your cream in portions. 

.

Spiced whipped cream

Whip up your leftover cream, add a sprinkling of our spice blends, and freeze in beautiful swirls for a delicious twist.

.

Can I freeze squirty cream?

Do not freeze squirty cream in its can. But it’s fine to squirt out the mounds of cream and freeze as above for frozen whipped cream!

How long does frozen cream keep?

It stays good for about 3 months. After that, the taste and quality will go down and should be discarded.

..

What is the best way to thaw frozen cream?

If you have frozen liquid cream in ice cube form, for example, you can then add the cubes directly to soups, sauces and the like to finish the dish. Otherwise, it is best defrosted gently in the fridge. To do this, take them out of the freezer and leave in the fridge overnight.

You can place the frozen dollops of cream on cakes or desserts just before serving, or stir them frozen into coffee. They thaw quite quickly at room temperature.

If you have frozen cream unsealed in its original pot, it may take a little longer to defrost.