I always make my own Creme Fraiche, very easy, and tastes great but you need to make it about 36 hours in advance. Creme Fraiche 1 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup dairy sour cream Whisk together in a bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand in the kitchen overnight or until thickened. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours. The longer it sits the tarter it gets. Will keep for 7 days I prefer the above recipe but here is another that works well. Both are from the Silver Palate Creme Fraiche 2 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 teaspoons buttermilk Pour the cream and the buttermilk into a glass jar. Cover and hake for 1 minute. Let stand in a warm place until thickened, at least 12 hours (overnight). Stir well and refrigerate for 24 hours. Will keep 7 days

Exactly, Linda. My fresh ricotta recipe calls for un-ultrapasteurized cream as well but that's not so easy to find around here. On the other hand, fresh ricotta and creme fraiche are readily available. Expensive, yes, but between gas and time probably cheaper overall. I forget where I finally found non-UP-cream last time. Maybe TJ's? If so, I've got no excuse, there are a couple near me.

A half cup sour cream mixed with a half cup whipping cream was the quickie version I found.

You can't use sour cream to make creme fraiche in half and half...in fact you need to add 1/2 c sour cream to whole cream and that will give you creme fraiche. The problem with your formula is you can't start with 1/2 and 1/2 ....I am so sorry. As to the buttermilk. You only need a small amount so you can just get a container that is a pint if your store carries it. Also yes it does freeze but it separates when it is defrosted so you have to just cook with it ...no problem though.Also it keeps for months in the fridge...you can ignore the "use by" " sell by" date...it lasts and lasts. You can just freeze the 1/2 and 1/2 also. I do it all the time. It too will separate but that is OK if you are going to cook with it. Or use it to make homemade yogurt...will be very very rich and yum...or make ice cream or rice pudding...lots of things...make a tres leches cake !! I am SO sorry you are not feeling well. I hope you are better tomorrow. c