If you’ve been baking for quite some time now, you’ll know that there’s one particular ingredient you can never go without: creams. By simply choosing the type of cream to incorporate in your baking, you can significantly transform any dessert and pastries recipe into something else entirely. If you’re a dessert and pastry connoisseur, you’re most probably familiar with many of them – but how much do you truly?

To start off, creams are a rich, thick emulsion of dairy fat that boast a rich flavour and velvety texture. They are a perfect addition to desserts and sweets because of their ability to tone down richness and sweetness. Most of all, there’s no one-size-fits-all cream; there’s a variety! They come in different textures and flavours, with different uses and modes of application as well. Not all creams are meant for baking.

If you’re taking a break from ordering a pastry online in Singapore to whip your own creation in your kitchen, learn more about the wonders of this baking and cooking essential here!

Half and half cream

If you love coffee, then half and half cream is going to be your favourite. This type of cream consists of half milk and half cream with 10% to 12% fat. It’s often used for coffees and beverages, and it can perfectly substitute milk in various recipes. Pan sauces, creamy pasta sauces, and gravies often use this cream because of its incredible thickness.

Light cream

Also referred to as single cream or table cream, light cream helps bring moisture to desserts after you pour it over crumbles and pound cakes. Just like half and half cream, light cream can also be used for coffee. But this type of cream works best for soups and gravies because of its usual 12% to 18% fat content.

Heavy whipping cream

For those who are fond of mouth-watering desserts, heavy whipping cream is an ingredient that your recipe should not miss. Heavy whipping cream is a rich and thick cream that’s usually added to decadent desserts and dishes. It typically consists of 36% to 40% fat. If you’re looking to order a birthday cake online for delivery, particularly, you might notice that many of the choices available are topped with a layer of heavy whipping cream frosting.

Double cream

When it comes to thickness, double cream reigns supreme. It boasts a 48% fat content, making it the thickest cream on the list. As such, there’s a tendency to overwhip it, so you’ll want to be mindful when using it in your recipe. This cream is an ideal pouring cream for ice creams, buttermilk scones, and chocolate truffles.

Sour cream

For other types of foods like sandwiches and salads, sour cream is a chef’s choice. Sour cream is created by adding bacterial cultures to the cream to produce lactic acid. This lactic acid results in a slightly sour taste and a thicker-than-normal consistency in the cream. With its slightly tart flavour, you can use sour cream to make dips, salad dressings, and casseroles.

Light sour cream

The same process is used to make light sour cream as with sour cream, except it contains a reduced fat and caloric content. It is a desirable component in nutritious recipes like salad dressings since it contains a blend of good and bad nutrients. With its tangy and delicious taste, you can top light sour cream on baked potatoes for a truly appetising meal.

Crème fraiche

As fancy as it sounds, crème fraiche is a thick and rich cream with a consistency similar to custard. It’s a version of sour cream, except with higher fat content, and is good for cooking because it’s less prone to curdling. With a usual fat content of 39%, crème fraiche is great for pan sauces and soups because it helps thicken them. It can also be added to scrambled eggs, cookies, and bread for a creamier and more refined flavour.

Conclusion

There are indeed different types of creams that can be used for various purposes. To make the most out of your dishes and pastries, be sure to use a suitable cream all the time. Aside from that, choose creams that are of high quality so that you can guarantee the richness of your foods’ flavour.

If you’re looking for premium quality pastries that you can share with your family and friends, Polar Puffs & Cakes is here to give you just what you are looking for! We have an extensive range of pastries and cakes that can surely delight your taste buds. We make sure we use suitable types of creams in our products to provide you with the best snack or dessert experience. As an offline and online cake shop in Singapore, you can buy our cakes in-store or online to have them delivered right to your doorstep. At Polar Puffs & Cakes, your convenience and satisfaction are our top priority. So, order from us today!