Creme Fraiche in Cherry Cheesecake

Asked by Unknown. Answered on 19th June 2015

Full question

Is to possible to use creme fraiche instead of double cream in the Cherry Cheesecake and will it still work with medium or half fat cream cheese instead of full fat. Thanks, Maggie

Our answer

Nigella's Cherry Cheesecake (from Nigella Express and on the Nigella website) is a no-cook cheesecake that sets in the fridge. The cheesecake filling is made from cream cheese that is lightened with whipped double cream.

It is probably possible to use a reduced fat cream cheese for the filling but be aware that the reduced fat versions tend to have stabilisers in the ingredients to help to keep the consistency of the cream cheese and these can sometimes weep a little on standing so there is a risk that the base of the cheesecake will become a little soggy. We would avoid the non-fast/very low fat versions of cream cheese. Creme fraiche is not a good substitute for double cream as you cannot whip it so the filling will be heavier. However to reduce the fat a little you could use whipping cream instead of double cream.