The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ELITE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
L
I
T
E
More clues leading to the result ELITE
- Highest-ranked group in personnel I tested
- Aristocratic priest starts to take Evensong
- Best European roofing slab lifted up
- Top people on fire among fringes in electorate
- Cream topping for eclair with few calories
- English low-fat cream
- Pick little after end of hurricane
- Best part of Japanese literature
- The best chocolate ultimately low in calories
- Top cake's back with fewer calories
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "cream" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cream = elite.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ELITE mean?
ELITE noun- A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society.
- Someone who is among the best at a certain task.
- Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.
- Representing the choicest or most select of a group.