What is it?

Cream that has soured by the action of lactic-acid bacteria, sour cream is thick and has a slight tang. Often used as a garnish for soups and stews, it’s also used in baking in (think sour cream coffee cakes and cheesecake), in puréed soups, and as a base for dips.

Don’t have it?

When used as a garnish, in soups, or the base for a dressing or dip, crème fraîche (the French version), which is thicker and less sour, crema (Mexican sour cream), or plain yogurt (thicker, richer Greek yogurt especially) can often substitute. If substituting for sour cream in baking, however, other adjustments may need to be made.

How to prep:

To keep sour cream from curdling when heated over high heat, stir in a bit of flour.

How to store:

Keep refrigerated.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Coffee Crème Bundt Cake

  This glorious coffee-flavored Bundt, excerpted from The Joys of Baking, is more sweet than coffee and has a gooey, condensed milk glaze that you may have to resist eating with…

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  Recipe

  Avocado Stuffed with Chicken, Radishes, Feta, and Cilantro

  The ultimate no-cook summer meal, these stuffed avocados are refreshing and light but also deliciously satisfying. Round out the meal with a salad on the side.

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  Recipe

  Blueberry Muffin-Peach Ice Cream Sandwiches

  Modeled after the Italian ice cream sandwich using gelato and brioche, this sweet duo combines two iconic summer ingredients, blueberries and peaches. Unlike most cookie-based ice cream sandwiches, which can…

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  Recipe

  Avocado Toasts with Chipotle Butter, Black Beans, and Tomato

  For a spicier, more filling take on conventional avocado toast, layer avocado with chile butter, refried beans, and tomato. Serve eggs alongside or on top.

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  Recipe

  Cranberry Fool Chocolate Tart

  A swirl of tart cranberries and tangy whipped cream nestles perfectly into a buttery crumb crust for a dessert that’s casual enough for weeknights but fancy enough for a holiday.…

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  Recipe

  Smashed Potato Salad

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  Recipe

  Corn Chowder Salad

  Crisp corn, salty bacon, and hearty potatoes bring the flavors of the classic summer soup to a side dish perfect with grilled steak, chicken, or fish.

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  Recipe

  Black & Blue Cheese Dressing

  Freshly cracked black peppercorns add depth and complexity to this creamy dressing. Use a spice grinder or adjustable pepper mill on the largest setting to crack whole ones. Store them…

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  Recipe

  Spring Pea Soup with Spiced Cream

  The sweet soup tastes of spring, but the cayenne-spiked cream swirl makes this a dramatic bowl, both in flavor and in looks.

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  Recipe

  Hazelnut White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

  These sophisticated cookies combine the flavors of earthy hazelnuts and sweet white chocolate. Depending on your craving, you can finish these bars with either bittersweet chocolate ganache or sour cream…