Need to get cream ahead of time.

[HappydaysArehere]

Just that I will be receiving an online Sainsburys order the Sunday before Christmas. I need single cream for home made custard and cream that is thick or one I can whip for a trifle topping. I expect the cream may well be outdated by the time Christmas Day comes so am hoping that I can get advice on storage in a freezer. Looked on line and there seems to be varied opinions of the advisability of this. I thought single cream would freeze but Sainsbury’s online information says I shouldn’t do that. Would be grateful if anyone has experience of freezing cream of any kind.

Cream lasts a week - I buy a carton every week in my shopping and it lasts until the next week’s shopping comesz

Elmlea? They do single and whipping with months of date on both fine for cooking and trifle!

Thank you both for your advice. My concern was that in pre Covid days I used to have trouble getting cream that was only dated up to Christmas Eve as they had to rotate the goods. However, I am now more hopeful as you are able to manage for a week.
Elmlea is something I haven’t tried as I always thought it was some kind of artificial cream. I could give that a try before Christmas. Thank you for that idea as that would solve part of the dilemma.. Thank you both you have been very helpful.

Elmlea is quite acquired taste (read gross) so definitely try before relying on it

I find Elmlea tastes the same as cream, I'd think most people wouldn't be able to tell in custard or on a trifle.

Elmlea is disgusting. You can freeze double cream if you whip it first (although you might want to have a trial run first. I’ve never actually done it). But as a pp said, cream will last more than a week. And way past it’s sell by date.

Hi Op, I know it’s not precisely what you wanted but clotted cream freezes extremely well if you needed it as back up.

www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/271015349

It doesn't solve the cream for topping issue but you could make the custard ahead of time and freeze.

www.deliaonline.com/recipes/collections/delia-online-cookery-school/proper-custard

I would just ignore the sell by date, cream lasts ages after its self by date: put it at the back of the fridge and don't open it (except maybe Christmas Eve to check!) and I would say the likelihood is it will be absolutely fine

It probably will be fine as others have said.

Just one question - cream is one of those things that most mini shops will sell so unless you are particularly vulnerable, it would be possible to do a trip to a local tesco or similar and buy cream without being in huge queues or significantly exposed to other people. Unlike many other christmas ingredients which do require a trip to a big supermarket if you don't get them in your delivery.

Thank you all. Your advice is great. I will live dangerously and trust the cream is okay. Delia ‘s custard link is useful as never thought of freezing it. Also the clotted cream idea. Thank you.