There is ice cream, and then there is clotted cream ice cream. Made with real Cornish clotted cream, this no-churn recipe is simpler than you might think and richer than anything you’ll find in the supermarket freezer aisle. No machine, no fuss. Just proper, creamy, Cornish indulgence, ready to scoop straight from your own freezer.
Table of Contents
What Is Clotted Cream Ice Cream?
Clotted cream ice cream is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a standard cream or milk base, it’s made with clotted cream: that thick, golden, gloriously indulgent Cornish staple. The result is a richer, denser, more flavourful ice cream than anything you’ll get from a regular recipe. The perfect way to enjoy a sunny afternoon in Cornwall!
What Does Clotted Cream Ice Cream Taste Like?
Rich, velvety and deeply creamy, with a subtle sweetness and a hint of that distinctive clotted cream flavour; slightly caramelised, a little buttery, completely addictive. Clotted cream ice cream is richer than regular vanilla ice cream and smoother than ice cream made with double cream. One spoonful and you’ll understand why clotted cream has been Cornwall’s most treasured dairy product for centuries.
Why Use Clotted Cream Instead of Double Cream?
It comes down to fat content and flavour. Clotted cream contains around 55% butterfat compared to roughly 48% in double cream, which means a smoother, more stable ice cream with no ice crystals and no ice cream machine required. That higher fat content also carries more flavour, giving you that unmistakable richness. It’s the ingredient that turns a good ice cream into a great one.
Simple Clotted Cream Ice Cream Recipe
Inspired by the no-churn clotted cream ice cream method from Sainsbury’s Magazine.
Ingredients
(Serves 6 to 8)
- 300g Cornish Dairy Co Clotted Cream
- 397g tin of condensed milk (full fat)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Method
- Spoon the clotted cream into a large mixing bowl. Mix briefly with a hand whisk until it loosens slightly and gives a smoother consistency.
- Pour in the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Add the pinch of sea salt. Fold everything together gently until combined and smooth.
- Taste the mixture. It should be slightly sweeter than you’d expect – this is correct, as sweetness dulls slightly when frozen.
- Pour into a 1-litre freezer-safe container and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
- Cover with a lid or wrap tightly with cling film. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, then scoop and serve.
Tips for the Perfect Clotted Cream Ice Cream
- Use full-fat condensed milk. The fat content is what keeps the ice cream scoopable and creamy. Low-fat versions will give you a harder, icier result.
- Don’t over-whip the clotted cream. You want it loosened, not aerated. Over-whipping changes the texture of the finished ice cream.
- Freeze in a shallow, wide container. The more surface area, the more evenly it sets and the easier it is to scoop straight from the freezer.
- Store for up to one month. Press a piece of cling film directly onto the surface of the ice cream before putting the lid on. This prevents ice crystals from forming on top.
Clotted Cream Ice Cream Variations to Try
The base recipe is just the beginning. Once you’ve mastered it, it’s easy to make your own variations for different flavours and occasions.
Strawberry Clotted Cream Ice Cream
Fold 150g of blitzed fresh strawberries through the mixture before freezing. A handful of chopped whole strawberries stirred in at the end adds texture. Also see our Eton Mess ice cream recipe for a true crowdpleaser!
Salted Caramel Clotted Cream Ice Cream
Swirl 3 tablespoons of good-quality salted caramel sauce through the mixture just before pouring into the container. Don’t mix it in fully – you want that delicious ripple effect.
Honeycomb Clotted Cream Ice Cream
Fold through a crushed 80g bar of honeycomb just before freezing. The honeycomb softens slightly in the cream, giving a rich toffee flavour throughout.
Cornish Clotted Cream And Fudge Ice Cream
Stir through a generous handful of Cornish fudge pieces for a nod to classic seaside treats. Pairs especially well with a warm afternoon and a good view.
Festive Ice Cream Recipe
Ice cream isn’t just for summer! Our Christmas pudding no-churn ice cream recipe has all the flavours of the festive season safely tucked away in the freezer until you serve it with a fuss-free flourish.
How to Serve Your Clotted Cream Ice Cream
Keep it simple. A generous scoop in a cone is hard to beat. For something a little more considered, serve alongside a warm fruit crumble or a buttery Cornish shortbread biscuit. It works brilliantly with a spoonful of strawberry jam stirred through at the last moment too – a cream tea, reimagined.
If you’re entertaining, scoop into chilled bowls ahead of time and return to the freezer until needed. A drizzle of local honey over the top and a few fresh berries is all it needs.
Where to Buy Cornish Dairy Co Clotted Cream
Our clotted cream is available in most major supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda and Ocado. You can also find it in selected independent stores across Cornwall and the South West. Head to our where to buy page to find your nearest stockist.
Clotted Cream Ice Cream FAQs
Can you make ice cream with clotted cream?
Yes! It makes exceptional ice cream. Clotted cream’s high butterfat content means it freezes smoothly without the need for a machine. It gives the finished ice cream a richness and depth of flavour that regular ice cream simply cannot match.
Do you need an ice cream machine to make clotted cream ice cream?
No. This recipe is entirely no-churn. The fat content in the clotted cream and condensed milk does all the work, keeping the ice cream smooth and scoopable without any special equipment.
How long does homemade clotted cream ice cream keep?
Up to one month in the freezer, stored in a sealed container. For the best texture, press cling film directly onto the surface before sealing to prevent ice crystals from forming.
What does clotted cream ice cream taste like?
Rich, creamy and deeply indulgent, with a slight caramelised sweetness that sets it apart from standard ice cream. It’s the flavour of a Cornish summer in a scoop.
Is clotted cream ice cream the same as Cornish ice cream?
Traditional Cornish ice cream is made using clotted cream as a key ingredient, which is what gives it that distinctive richness and flavour. So while not every clotted cream ice cream is made in Cornwall, the best ones start with proper Cornish clotted cream – and that’s exactly what we use.