Have you ever come across a recipe that calls for an ingredient you've never seen before—or maybe even one you don't know how to pronounce? Hey, that's what makes cooking so much fun. For instance, if you're trying a new and the ingredient list calls for crème fraîche, you might be intimidated at first. It might sound fancy, but it's basically just a French cousin to ! It's rich, tangy, and it makes a delicious . But what exactly is crème fraîche? And how else can you use it?

If you're going out of your way to buy crème fraîche, you might want to know these details ahead. Or check out our for when you're really in a pinch.

Because we know that it's not always easy to get your hands on certain ingredients. "The Lodge is 18 miles out of town on an unpaved road," Ree Drummond says, so it's no surprise that a trip to the supermarket is no easy task. Luckily, you can actually make your own crème fraîche with just two ingredients—and it won't cost you all that much either! So go ahead and read on to learn everything you need to know about crème fraîche.

What is crème fraîche?

Technically speaking, crème fraîche (pronounced krem fresh) is a French dairy product made from a thick cultured cream. The name literally translates to "fresh cream," but it's so much more than that, too! It has a rich and tangy flavor, similar to sour cream, and a thick texture that's very smooth.

You'll likely find it on the refrigerator shelf next to the other dairy products, but if your store doesn't carry it, there's no need to worry! You can actually make your own crème fraîche pretty easily—all you need is some time and patience.

Combine 2 cups of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons butter in a large glass jar, then let it sit at room temperature for about 10 to 24 hours. Note: the longer it sits, the thicker it'll get! Once you've reached the thickness you like best, cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks.

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Is crème fraîche just sour cream?

Well, not exactly. Though the two might seem related, there are differences that set them apart. For starters, sour cream is noticeably more tangy and, well, sour tasting than its French counterpart. On the other hand, crème fraîche has a higher fat content and thicker consistency, which also makes it less likely to curdle when used in cooking. That means you can stir it into pasta sauces or even soups without it breaking.

How do you use crème fraîche?

Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche

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Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche

By now you might already know that crème fraîche is often used in creamy soups, but there's so much more that it can do. Try swapping it for sour cream in Ree's for an elegant twist. Or stir it into a bowl of for extra creaminess. And don't forget about the sweets! This multi-purpose dairy product can be whipped up with sugar as a topping on pies or even just paired with fresh berries. Some also call for crème fraîche.

What are substitutes for crème fraîche?

Of course, if you can't get your hands on crème fraîche and you don't have the time to make it at home either, don't worry. You can always use an equal amount of sour cream. Other substitutes include Mexican crema, full-fat Greek yogurt, or cream cheese thinned out with a bit of milk.