I have been deeply enamored recently of desserts that involve Scotch. First there was this Scotch affogato sundae I shared with you, and then, for my forthcoming book, I created a boozy Scotch marshmallow pie with a cornflake crust. But perhaps the simplest way to enjoy Scotch in a dessert is the oldest: The classic Scottish dessert cranachan, toasted oats with Scotch-spiked whipped cream and the fruit of late spring.
Yes, this is basically a glorified grown-up version of your morning yogurt granola parfait. It's something fruity, something creamy, something crunchy. You can't go wrong, especially when this much Scotch is involved.
Besides the Scotch, this dessert has a couple of very good things going for it. Number one, it's easy. Just whip some cream, toast some oats, and chop some berries. Heck, this is traditionally made with raspberries so usually you don't even need to cut up the fruit; just toss them in. But raspberries aren't available yet at my market, so I had strawberries and blackberries instead, which I cut into bite-sized pieces.
Number two, your guests do half the work. To avoid softening the crispy oats, it's best to assemble this table-side. Bring bowls of cream, fruit, and oats to the table, along with your best spoons and pretty glasses, and invite your guests put their own trifles together. It really doesn't get much easier than that.
One more note: traditionally this is made with steel-cut oats, the crunchy chopped groats that make such fabulous oatmeal. These might seem too hard or hearty to eat uncooked, but once toasted they get nutty and brittle, and really delicious. If you're still unconvinced, you can make this with rolled oats instead, but just know that they'll soften more quickly in the cream.

Toasted Oat & Walnut Whisky Trifle (Cranachan)
serves 4For the oats
1 teaspoon butter
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup steel-cut oats
Pinch salt
For the cream
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 to 4 tablespoons honey, very warm
4 to 6 tablespoons blended Scotch whisky, such as The Famous Grouse
To serve
6 to 8 ounces raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, or some combination thereof
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Finely chop or grind the walnuts to about the same size and texture as the oats. Melt the butter in the hot pan and immediately add the walnuts and oats. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are well-toasted and a shade darker brown. Do not let them burn; turn the heat down or take off the heat sooner if necessary. Set the toasted oats and walnuts aside to cool and toss with the salt.
Whip the cream until it holds firm peaks, then drizzle in the honey and Scotch and whip to blend. Taste and add more honey and Scotch, if desired. Chill the cream until serving.
To serve, layer in individual glasses, starting with the fruit, then the cream, then the oats, and repeating. Eat immediately.
Related: Recipe: Scotch, Espresso & Vanilla Affogato
(Images: Faith Durand)
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Comments (7)
this looks incredible! never heard of this dessert - thank you Faith
Mmmm, this sounds and looks delicious! I think I want to try making this with sortilège, I've been having an hankering for maple flavoured goodies.
Looks lovely! You might want to try Edinburgh Fog--whipped cream folded together with crushed amaretti, whisky (or Drambuie) and sugar, sprinkled with almonds.
I've been meaning to make a chocolate layer cake with cherry jam in between the layers with a scotch and vanilla bean whipped cream icing. This is a great starting point!
I love cranachan and ate it many times in Scotland. This sounds like a nice variation.
But I take exception to blackberries as a "late spring" fruit. Strawberries are a spring fruit. All bramble berries are in season in summer/late summer, especially somewhere chilly like Scotland.
Having lived in Edinburgh for 7 years, I'm familiar with cranachan. Personally, I love the classic raspberry version (blogged about it here), but the toasted walnut element appeals to me a lot :)
Yum! Here's one for you... Pine nut and whiskey smoothie: Blend vanilla ice cream, pine nuts and whiskey.