Crème fraîche is a velvety soured cream that offers a nutty tang with less sour flavor than its more well-known sibling. Although quite popular, it can be tricky to find. Luckily, there are a lot of handy substitutions.
First, as the "Food Lover's Companion" explains, you can make a similar version at home. Simply combine a cup of whipping cream and two tablespoons of buttermilk. Cover, and let the mixture sit at room temperature (approximately 70 degrees F) for eight to 24 hours, until it is very thick. It can then be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 10 days.
"The Food Substitutions Bible," meanwhile, offers a lot of options if making your own crème fraîche isn't possible. Substitute 1 cup of crème fraîche with either 1 cup of sour cream or yogurt, or 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1/2 cup of heavy or whipping cream. It's not exactly the same, but it will do wonderfully in a pinch.
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