Classic Cranachan Recipes

CRANACHAN

Steps:

• To toast the oatmeal, spread it out on a baking sheet and grill until it smells rich and nutty. It will not darken quickly, so use your sense of smell to tell you when it is nutty enough. Cool the oatmeal.
• Make a raspberry purée by crushing half the fruit and sieving. Sweeten this to taste with a little caster sugar. Whisk the double cream until just set, and stir in the honey and whisky, trying not to over-whip the cream. Taste the mix and add more of either if you feel the need.
• Stir in the oatmeal and whisk lightly until the mixture is just firm. Alternate layers of the cream with the remaining whole raspberries and purée in 4 serving dishes. Allow to chill slightly before eating.

CLASSIC CRANACHAN

Steps:

• Place the oatmeal on a baking tray and toast the oatmeal under a hot grill for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Allow the oatmeal to cool.
• Whip the cream lightly and fold in whisky and honey followed by the oatmeal and berries.
• Pour into tall glasses and chill for one hour or overnight before serving.

PUNJABI CRANACHAN

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 6 tablespoons of the sugar until pale and fluffy, and set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix the cornflour to a paste in 1 to 2 teaspoons of the milk. Put the cornflour paste, the remaining milk, and the ground almonds into a pan, and bring to a boil over a low heat. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes, take off the heat, and then gradually add the egg and sugar mixture a little at a time, whisking continuously.
• Return the mixture to a simmer and cook, whisking continuously, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the mixture into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set the mixture aside to cool.
• Heat a dry frying pan over low heat, and add the porridge oats, and toast, stirring regularly, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside to cool, and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
• In a food processor, blend a handful of the blackberries, the lemon juice, and the remaining sugar to a puree. Stir in the remaining blackberries until well combined.
• dd 1 tablespoonful of the whipped cream to the reserved milk and almond mixture, and stir until well combined. Fold in the remaining whipped cream, the cooled porridge oats, and the whisky.
• To serve, spoon layers of the almond cream mixture into 4 or 5 serving glasses, then spoon over layers of the blackberry puree, and then sprinkle over a layer of the flaked almonds. Repeat the process to create more layers until all of the ingredients have been used up. Garnish with any remaining flaked almonds, and sprinkle with icing sugar.

CRANACHAN

Steps:

• 1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the oats. Toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring all the time, until the oats are beginning to turn golden. Transfer to a plate and cool.
• 2. Whisk the cream with the whisky and 2 tablespoons of the honey until soft peaks form.
• 3. Spoon the mixture into 4 dessert glasses. Cover and chill for 3 hours.
• 4. When ready to serve, sprinkle with the toasted oats and drizzle with the remaining honey. Top with raspberries and serve.

CHOCOLATE CRANACHAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix chocolate, hazelnuts, and brown sugar in medium bowl. Spread oats out on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Stir hot oats into chocolate mixture (hot oats will partially melt chocolate); set aside until chocolate firms, at least 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Using electric mixer, beat whipping cream, crème fraîche, and sugar in large bowl until cream mixture holds peaks. Fold in whisky.
• In each of six 10- to 12-ounce goblets, layer 3/4 cup cream mixture and 3/4 cup oat mixture; repeat layering. Top each parfait with 3/4 cup cream mixture and sprinkle with oat mixture. Cover parfaits and chill overnight.

CRANACHAN

Steps:

• Toast the oatmeal in an oil-free frying pan for 4-5 minutes.
• Whip cream until stiff.
• Fold the honey and vanilla into the cream with a metal spoon.
• Mix the oats with cream.
• Layer with raspberries in glasses. Tall, thin, sundae glasses are ideal.