Double cream

Double cream is a high-fat dairy product made by adding extra cream to single cream, or by skimming the fat layer from milk. It has a rich, smooth texture and a mild, milky flavour. In the UK, it typically contains at least 48% fat.

Manufacturers use double cream for its rich flavour and smooth texture, adding it to desserts, sauces, and soups. It can be whipped to create stable foams for toppings and fillings, or incorporated into dishes to add body and a luxurious mouthfeel. It is commonly found in ready meals, desserts, and soups.

Double cream is a food ingredient, not a food additive, and therefore does not have an E-number or require authorisation on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations. It is a source of saturated fat. The NHS Eatwell Guide advises that while dairy products can be part of a healthy diet, foods high in saturated fat should be consumed in moderation. Evidence on the health effects of dietary saturated fat is complex and has been subject to ongoing scientific discussion.