Elderflower Cream (A Light Scandinavian Summer Dessert)
Light, floral, and effortlessly elegant, this elderflower cream is the taste of a Nordic summer in every spoonful. Spoon it over fresh berries, layer it into tarts, or serve it alongside your favorite cake or dessert. It's the kind of easy, versatile dish that feels like a celebration.
In Scandinavia, elderflowers bloom in early June, and their delicate blossoms are used to flavor syrups, drinks, and desserts during the short but vibrant summer season. Elderflower cordial is a pantry staple in many Nordic homes this time of year, and recipes like this one let the floral notes shine without a lot of fuss. You'll often find variations of this dish at Midsummer celebrations, paired with fresh strawberries and crisp cookies or spooned over a simple sponge or almond cake. It's a sweet, simple way to bring a bit of Nordic summer to your table.
If you're planning a Midsummer menu or just looking for fresh seasonal inspiration, this elderflower cream pairs beautifully with many of my favorite summer recipes. Try it spooned over this Strawberry Rhubarb Galette or this Strawberry Almond Tart!
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Ingredients
- Heavy whipping cream - keep it cold for easy whipping.
- Sour cream or creme fraiche - adds a bit of tang and body to the cream.
- Elderflower cordial - choose a non-alcoholic cordial such as the Belvoir or IKEA brands for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract - a nice compliment to the elderflower flavor.
- Powdered sugar - brings sweetness and a bit of stability to the cream.
- Pinch of salt - helps round out the sweetness in the dish.
See recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
How to Make Elderflower Cream
- Step 1: Begin whipping the cream and sour cream in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the remaining ingredients and whip to soft peaks.
- Step 2: Serve or chill for up to three hours.
Variation: Stabilized Elderflower Cream
If you're planning to make this elderflower cream in advance or want it to hold its shape longer - say, for piping onto tarts, as a cake filling or layering into a trifle - you can easily stabilize it with a touch of gelatin.
Here's how:
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cold water with 1 teaspoon of unflavored powdered gelatin.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom.
- Microwave for 10-15 seconds, just until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Toward the end of whipping the cream, slowly pour in the dissolved gelatin while continuing to beat until soft peaks form.
The result is a lightly stabilized elderflower cream that holds its texture beautifully for several hours-perfect for make-ahead desserts and warm-weather gatherings.
Expert Tip
Start with COLD cream for best results and watch closely to make sure you don't over whip it. The cream should be soft and billowy like elderflower clouds.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This cream holds up well in the refrigerator (tightly covered) for up to 8 hours. For longer storage or if you're planning to pipe or layer it, try the stabilized version with gelatin (see variation above).
Elderflower cordial is key to the floral flavor of this recipe. If you can't find it locally, it's often available at Cost Plus World Market, IKEA, or on Amazon (look for brands like Belvoir). There isn't a perfect substitute, but you could try a splash of St. Germain (elderflower liqueur) for an adult twist.
Yes, you can easily double or even triple the recipe for a larger group. Just be sure to use a large enough bowl to accommodate the extra ingredients.
What to Serve with Elderflower Cream
🍓 What to Serve with Elderflower Cream
This delicate, floral cream pairs beautifully with a variety of fresh, simple desserts-especially those that let seasonal berries shine. Whether you're planning a festive Midsummer gathering or just looking for an effortless treat, here are a few delicious ways to serve it:
🫐 Fresh Summer Berries
Spoon the cream over fresh berries such as a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries (tossed in a splash of the elderflower cordial and a little sugar, if you'd like). It's a beautiful, no-fuss dessert that tastes like summer in every bite.
🍰 Cakes
Use it as a filling and topping for this Swedish Midsummer Cake (be sure to double the cream recipe!) It also works well alongside this simple Swedish Cardamom Cake or even store-bought pound cake for an easy option.
🥄 Tartlets
Dollop or pipe elderflower cream into these Swedish Almond Tartlets (Mandelmusslor), for an elegant bite-sized dessert.
🍪 Cookies
Pair with buttery and crisp Havreflarn (Swedish Oatmeal Cookies) or Norwegian Krumkake.
🧇 Pancakes and Waffles
Spoon over Norwegian waffles or dollop over Traditional Swedish Pancakes. Yum!
Related Recipes
Looking for other creamy Scandinavian dessert ideas? Give these a try:
If you tried this Elderflower Cream recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Elderflower Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sour cream or crème fraîche
- 3 tablespoons elderflower cordial such as Belvoir or IKEA brand
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh berries for serving (optional) strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
Instructions
- Place cream and sour cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Begin whipping on medium-high speed.
- While the machine is running, add cordial, vanilla, salt and powdered sugar. Continue whipping until soft peaks form and the mixture is light and billowy.
- Serve immediately with fresh berries if desired, or refrigerate, tightly covered, for up to 8 hours. The cream will thicken slightly as it chills.
Notes
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- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cold water with 1 teaspoon of unflavored powdered gelatin.
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- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom.
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- Microwave for 10-15 seconds, just until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
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- Toward the end of whipping the cream, slowly pour in the dissolved gelatin while continuing to beat until soft peaks form.
