Looking to cut down on grocery costs? Locating cream sometimes seems as tricky as finding a needle in a haystack.
It’s good at making everything taste better — especially ice cream and cakes!
With so many different kinds available from supermarkets, it’s easy to buy too much.
But there are plenty of reasons why you should think twice before buying more than you need.
If you find yourself with surplus cream, don’t throw it away.
There are lots of interesting things you can do with it besides just freezing it.
Can you freeze cream?
You can freeze cream, but it may not taste as good as fresh cream or butter.
In fact, it might even separate into curds and whey.
The texture could also change over time.
That said, frozen cream is still great to have around when you’re cooking up a storm.
You can use it to whip up soups, sauces, and desserts.
And you can also use it to make ice cream.
All you really need to know is how to store and freeze your cream properly.
What happens if you freeze cream?
When you freeze cream, its fat molecules will solidify.
This means that they won’t melt anymore, which makes it impossible to pour off any excess liquid.
If you want to save it, you’ll need to transfer it into an airtight container or bag.
The longer it sits in the freezer, the harder it gets.
When you take it out, it will become rock hard.
To soften it, put it in the fridge for a few hours or leave it out overnight.
It will become soft enough to scoop and stir through other ingredients.
How long can you keep cream in the freezer?
There’s no set limit to how long you can keep frozen cream in the freezer.
You can keep it indefinitely, unless it starts to smell.
Once it smells like cheese, it’s likely spoiled and shouldn’t be eaten.
Is it safe to eat frozen cream?
It depends entirely on what kind of cream you’ve got.
Some creams contain preservatives and emulsifiers, which help them stay nice and creamy while being stored in the freezer.
These chemicals aren’t harmful, but they can cause them to go rancid quickly.
Some creams also contain stabilizers.
Stabilizers are designed to slow down the natural process of oxidation.
Oxidation occurs when oxygen reacts with fatty acids.
As this reaction progresses, the fats break down into smaller molecules and turn rancid.
The amount of time this takes varies depending on the type of fat and whether or not you’ve added preservatives.
Some people worry that these types of creams will affect their health negatively.
However, the FDA states that “creams that contain stabilizers or emulsifiers that are used in small amounts, such as less than 1% by weight of total fat, do not pose a safety concern.”
So, yes, eating frozen cream is perfectly safe provided you’re not allergic to dairy products.
Just make sure you only eat cream made with high quality fat.
That way, you’ll be getting all the benefits of fresh cream without worrying about having to pay extra for it.
What are the best ways to thaw frozen cream?
As mentioned above, the longer you let frozen cream sit in the freezer, the harder it becomes.
So, it’s best to wait until you’re ready to use it before defrosting.
If you don’t plan on using it within 24 hours, you can thaw it straight from the freezer.
Simply place it in a bowl filled with cold water and stir it occasionally until it melts completely.
Can you refreeze thawed cream?
Yes, you absolutely can refreeze thawed cream.
It will come out of the container looking and tasting just like it did when you first bought it.
How can you tell if cream has gone bad?
One thing you should look out for is sourness.
Sour cream is one of the most obvious signs that cream has turned bad.
If you notice any sourness, discard it immediately.
If you don’t see any sourness, then it’s probably okay, but keep an eye on it.
Sour cream goes stale very quickly, so it’s best to consume it as soon as possible.
Another sign that cream has gone bad is color changes.
The liquid part of cream turns yellowish or brownish.
The fat portion stays white.
If you suspect that your cream has gone bad, check both parts separately and take action accordingly.
What are some common uses for cream?
Cream is versatile.
You can use it to cook dishes like macaroni and cheese, custard, and cheesecake.
Or you can add it to smoothies and baked goods, like chocolate cake or cookies.
It’s also perfect to top salads and vegetables, especially potatoes.
In addition to these recipes, you can also enjoy the following uses for cream:
1. Make ice cream
Put 2 cups of cream in a pan along with 3 tablespoons of sugar, ½ cup of vanilla extract, and ¼ cup of cocoa powder.
Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer it for 10 minutes.
Let it cool down completely and churn in an ice-cream maker.
Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
2. Make whipped cream
Whisk ½ cup of heavy cream with 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar and ¾ teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
Top a piece of toast with strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream for a delicious breakfast.
3. Make creamy salad dressing
Add two tablespoons of olive oil to ½ cup of low-fat plain yogurt.
Mix in ½ teaspoon of salt, ⅛ teaspoon of pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed.
Pour 1 – 2 tablespoons of creamy salad dressing over greens to serve.
How do you make homemade cream?
Homemade cream isn’t difficult to make.
You need to start with good quality full-fat milk, which you can purchase cheaply at grocery stores.
Next, you’ll need to strain the milk so that you can remove all of the impurities.
You can either use cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve.
After straining, you can either freeze or refrigerate the strained milk.
If you want to freeze the milk, you’ll need to pour it into an airtight container and stick it in the freezer.
Now that you’ve got the strained milk, all you need to do is whisk the milk into the eggs.
You’ll also need to add the flavoring agents (like vanilla or cinnamon).
Then, simply blend in the melted butter until well incorporated.
The end result will be thick, rich, and delicious.
Make enough for a batch of pancakes or waffles!
What are some interesting facts about cream?
Cream is usually made from milk that’s been skimmed to remove the fat.
Most people prefer full-fat dairy products because they provide
higher levels of calcium, vitamins D and A, and protein.
But you can also make cream from non-dairy alternatives, including soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk.
Soft Serve Ice Cream Recipes
Equipment
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook the mixture, constantly stirring, until it comes to a boil.
- Add the heavy cream and cook until the mixture thickens and boils.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and place it in the refrigerator to cool for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When the mixture is cool, pour it into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Serve the soft serve immediately or store it in the freezer for later.
Video
Nutrition
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