Variations of cream buns exist all around the world. Typically they are made with an enriched dough bread roll that is split after baking and cooling and filled with cream.

Among the numerous international variations are the splits of Devon and Cornwall in southwest England, which are yeasted buns filled with clotted cream, and the maritozzi of the Lazio region of Italy, which are enriched buns, made with dried fruit and filled with whipped cream.