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Cranachan, A Lovely Scottish Dessert (recipe for US kitchens)
4.8 from 258 votes

Cranachan, A Lovely Scottish Dessert (recipe for US kitchens)

Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert featuring toasted steel-cut oats soaked in Scotch whisky, mixed with fresh raspberries and whipped cream sweetened with honey and whisky. The layered combination offers nutty, creamy, fruity, and subtly boozy flavors with contrasting crunchy and smooth textures. This recipe adapts traditional ingredients for US kitchens by using steel-cut oats, fresh cream, and accessible whiskies, creating a rich and elegant dessert.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 116 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Scottish

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup steel cut oats (pinhead oats in the UK)
  • ⅓ cup Scotch whisky
  • ¼ cup steel cut oats (pinhead oats in the UK)
  • 2 cups raspberries 12 oz, fresh
  • 3 Tbsp whisky Scotch, preferably
  • 3 Tbsp honey Scottish, preferably heather honey
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream (preferably organic)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. The night before you want to make the dessert, toast 1/3 cup (57 g) of the oats in a cast iron or very heavy pan until very lightly browned- this won't take long, so keep a close eye, as you don't want burnt oats. Put the oats in a bowl and cover with 1/3 cup (3 oz) of whisky. Cover and let stand overnight to soak.
  2. When you are ready to make the Cranachan, toast the second batch of oats, exactly the same as you did the first ones. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  3. Choose a few choice raspberries to decorate the tops and set them aside.
  4. Crush the rest of the raspberries in a bowl, with a spatula or fork, (just a bit, we're not making jam).
  5. Sprinkle the raspberries with 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of whisky. Mix well and set aside.
  6. Whip the cream until it starts to thicken, then add the other 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of whisky. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form, then fold in the whisky-soaked oats.
  7. At this point, we are ready to assemble the dessert. I would recommend doing this relatively close to serving time as the dessert will taste better fresh (if possible, don't make it in the morning to serve for dinner).
  8. Place a spoonful or two, to cover the bottom of the glass, of the raspberries, then add some of the cream mixture.
  9. Sprinkle the cream with some of the toasted oats, then repeat the layers. Finish with the sprinkled oats and top with a raspberry or three.
  10. Refrigerate until ready to eat, but take them out about 20 minutes before serving, for better flavor.

Notes

  • For authentic flavor, use quality ingredients such as organic heavy cream, Scottish heather honey, and Scotch whisky, along with steel-cut oats.
  • Toast oats carefully to avoid burning; watch closely as the toasting time is short.
  • Allow oats to soak overnight in whisky for best integration of flavors.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1glass Calories 116kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 4mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 10g (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 116

% Daily Value*

Serving 1glass
Calories 116kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 10g 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.