Scottish cranachan with raspberries has to be one of the quickest desserts to make.
You just need a pan, bowl, spoon and fork!
With just raspberries, cream, oats, honey and a few minutes of your time, you can make this delicious layered dessert, that everyone will enjoy.
Traditionally made with whiskey, and delicious with or without for children, this summer dessert is now eaten all year round and is a firm favourite on Burn's night too.
Enjoy!
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Cranachan is a Gaelic word that describes a Scottish dessert which includes cream, oats, raspberries and honey.
It was used as a dessert particularly to celebrate summer, as Scottish raspberries are particularly prized for their flavour.
Traditionally, Scottish cranachan was made with crowdie, rather than cream. Crowdie is a fresh cheese made with cows milk. Often the whiskey and fruit was left out in poorer households too.
However, for people who could afford it, the dish was a real occasion. The ingredients were normally brought out in individual bowls, with guests creating their own dessert.
What fun!
Why you will love this dish
- Just 4 basic ingredients plus whiskey if you like!
- No special equipment
- Takes just minutes to make
- Easy to use different fruits
- Creamy and delicious!
🥘 Ingredients
- Oats - porridge or rolled oats. See the explanation below on the different types of oats available.
- Cream - double or heavy cream, as the higher fat content allows the cream to thicken.
- Raspberries - fresh raspberries.
- Honey - clear honey.
- Whiskey - totally optional.
What is the difference between porridge oats, quick cook oats, jumbo oats, pin head oats and steel cut oats?
Porridge oats - normally the same as rolled oats, but can depend on the brand.
Rolled oats - also known as old fashioned oats or jumbo oats. These are the oat groats steamed and rolled into flakes. This means the oils are stabilised, and the oats stay fresh longer.
Quick oats - rolled oats cut into smaller pieces for quicker cooking or they can be made from smaller pinhead oats.
Steel cut oats - also known as pin head oats have the bran attached, They are whole oats that have not been rolled into flakes. Instead, they are cut approximately into thirds.
See recipe card for quantities.
🍽 Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Fork
- Whisk
- Non stick frying pan / skillet
- 4 dessert glasses or glass tumblers
🔪 Instructions
Tip the oats into a large non-stick pan over a medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes.
Shake the pan occasionally, so that they are evenly toasted.
Leave to cool.
Reserve 12 raspberries for the garnish and put the remaining raspberries in a bowl.
Use the back of a fork to crush them to make a thick sauce.
Put the cream in a bowl and whisk to soft peaks, until the mixture just holds its shape.
💭 Top Tip
- It is easy to get distracted when whipping cream as it seems to take forever and then suddenly thickens. If you have taken it too far, and it is very stiff or becomes grainy you may be able to rescue it. Add a tablespoon of unwhipped cream to slacken the mixture and repeat until the cream is the right consistency.
Stir in the honey and whiskey if using.
Fold in the toasted oats.
Layer the raspberry mixture alternately with the cream mixture, finishing with a cream layer and the reserved raspberries on top.
Chill for 30 minutes or until you are ready to serve
🥗 Similar desserts
If you like Scottish cranachan, here are some similar desserts that you may like.
- Flummery
- Lemon Syllabub
- Baileys Sabayon
- Strawberry and Blueberry Eton Mess
- Chocolate Bavarian Cream
- Chocolate Mousse
- Raspberry Parfait
- Chocolate Marquise
- Lavender Crème brûlée
- Baileys Crème brûlée
Substitutions
- Double cream - use Greek yogurt, crème fraiche or mascarpone cheese
📖 Variations
- Raspberries - use blueberries, strawberries, loganberries, peaches or nectarines.
Storage
- Refrigerator - use within a day of preparation.
- Freezer - not suitable for freezing.
More British desserts
📋 Recipe
Scottish Cranachan with Raspberries
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Fork
- Whisk
- Non stick frying pan / skillet
- 4 dessert glasses or glass tumblers
Ingredients
- 250 g raspberries
- 80 g porridge oats
- 300 ml double cream heavy
- 2 tablespoon whiskey
- 2 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Tip the oats into a large non-stick pan over a medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes.
- Shake the pan occasionally, so that they are evenly toasted and leave to cool.
- Reserve 12 raspberries for the garnish and put the remaining raspberries in a bowl. Use the back of a fork to crush them to make a thick sauce.
- Put the cream in a bowl and whisk to soft peaks, until the mixture just holds its shape.
- Stir in the honey and whiskey if using and fold in the toasted oats.
- Layer the raspberry mixture alternately with the cream mixture, finishing with a cream layer and the reserved raspberries on top.
- Chill for 30 minutes or until you are ready to serve.
Notes
- It is easy to get distracted when whipping cream as it seems to take forever and then suddenly thickens. If you have taken it too far, and it is very stiff or becomes grainy you may be able to rescue it. Add a tablespoon of unwhipped cream to slacken the mixture and repeat until the cream is the right consistency.
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Detailed instructions for this recipe, including step by step photographs, hints and tips, can be found in the main article
Dessert recipes
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using gas.
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Dannii
I love any kind of raspberry dessert and this looks so light and fresh.
Kushigalu
Interesting and gorgeous dessert recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
Katherine
Nothing beats a refreshing, sweet Cranachan! Love this one.
Natalie
This is the simplest dessert recipe I tried, it's perfect, thanks!
Toni
This is really a gorgeous and delicious dessert!! Everyone at my house was impressed!
Casey
Gorgeous impressive dessert and easy to make! Love it!
Dannii
What a delicious summer dessert. I love anything with raspberries.
Claudia Lamascolo
Everyone loved the flavors and that whiskey was terrific addition! it was a big hit will make this again so good!
Marina
Made this Scottish cranachan dessert for my friends party. I took all the glory that evening, it's great thanks!
Shashi at Savory Spin
This is my first time hearing of cranachan. I simply love how few ingredients go into this tasty treat! And, I cannot wait to try this - with oats + raspberries, I think I could have 2 right? 😉
Ava M.
Oh this looks perfect! And thank you so much for the whipped cream tip, I can't tell how many times I got distracted and ended with butter. I never throw it out but I didn't know you could "recover" it.