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Kajmak

Kajmak is the Balkan answer to clotted cream — silky, rich, and faintly tangy, with a texture somewhere between butter and soft cheese.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Balkan KitchenCategory
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Kajmak is the Balkan answer to clotted cream — silky, rich, and faintly tangy, with a texture somewhere between butter and soft cheese. This homemade version simmers cream gently until it thickens into something luxurious.

Served as a spread, a topping, or a side, kajmak graces grilled meats, hot bread, and burek across the region. It is a small luxury that makes everything it touches taste special.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Combine the cream, milk, and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring to a bare simmer over medium-low heat.
  2. Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and reduced by about a third.
  3. Stir in the yogurt and lemon juice, then simmer 5 minutes more.
  4. Pour into a shallow dish and let cool, then refrigerate overnight until firm and sliceable.
  5. Serve at room temperature with butter alongside grilled meats and bread.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Use the highest-fat cream you can find — it makes the difference between good and unforgettable kajmak. The longer it chills, the firmer and more sliceable it becomes.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings6
CategoryBalkan Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →