Recipe: Raspberry Cranachan Trifle & Book Tour: Tartan, Treasures and Trouble by Victoria Tait

Tartan, Trouble and Treasures – Recipe

Raspberry Cranachan Trifle: A Burns Night Tradition

Burns Night, celebrated annually on January 25th, honors the life and works of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. The evening is filled with the reading of his poetry, toasts, and, of course, delicious Scottish food.

While the iconic haggis takes center stage, dessert is just as important in this festive meal. One of the traditional sweet dishes served at Burns Night celebrations is Cranachan, a classic Scottish dessert that celebrates the country’s rich ingredients, including oats, whisky, honey, and raspberries.

The addition of whisky and toasted oats gives Cranachan its distinctively Scottish character. Traditionally, it was made with cream, but today, variations like this Raspberry Cranachan Trifle give it a fun, modern twist.

The trifle version adds layers of sponge, fresh fruit, and a creamy topping, making it both a decadent and festive way to finish off a Burns Night meal. It’s a fitting tribute to Scotland’s culinary traditions, combining simplicity with indulgence, just like the poet himself.

Raspberry Cranachan Trifle Recipe

Serves: 6-8
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 3-4 hours (or overnight)

Ingredients:

For the Cranachan Cream:
300ml double cream (1 ¼ cups)
200ml full-fat Greek yoghurt (¾ cup)
1 ½ tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
50g (½ cup) toasted oats (you can use rolled oats or Scottish oats)
100g (½ cup) fresh raspberries (plus extra for garnish)

For the Trifle Layers:

250g (9 oz) sponge cake or ladyfingers (you can use store-bought or homemade, such as a simple vanilla sponge)
2 tbsp whisky (optional, but traditional for Cranachan)
100g (½ cup) fresh raspberries (for layering)

Method:
Toast the Oats:
Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat. Add the oats and toast them gently, stirring constantly, for about 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Prepare the Cranachan Cream:
In a large bowl, whisk the double cream until it begins to thicken, but not too stiff peaks.
Gently fold in the Greek yoghurt, honey, and vanilla extract.
Add the toasted oats to the cream mixture and stir to combine.
Gently fold in the fresh raspberries, leaving some to decorate at the end.

Prepare the Trifle Base:
Slice the sponge cake or ladyfingers into manageable pieces that will fit into your trifle dish or individual glasses.
Drizzle the whisky (if using) over the sponge to soak it slightly.

Assemble the Trifle:
In a large trifle dish (or individual glasses), layer the soaked sponge cake at the bottom.
Add a layer of fresh raspberries on top of the sponge.
Spoon the cranberry cream mixture over the raspberries, smoothing it out.
Repeat with another layer of sponge, raspberries, and cream until your trifle dish is filled.

Chill:
Refrigerate the trifle for at least 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavor’s to meld and the dessert to firm up slightly.

Garnish and Serve:
Just before serving, top with extra fresh raspberries, a drizzle of honey, and a few more toasted oats for crunch.
Serve chilled and enjoy this indulgent, Scottish-inspired dessert!

Tartan, Treasures and Trouble: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth
(A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery)
by Victoria Tait
Setting – Cotswolds – England
Publisher: Kanga Press
(January 17, 2025)

When murder is served at a Scottish Burns supper, it’s not the haggis that hides the deadliest secret. Can an amateur sleuth catch the killer before they toast another victim?

Antiques expert, Dotty Sayers, is thrilled to return to the Cotswolds to reconnect with old friends and run the auction house where her career began. She and her friend, Sergeant Keya Varma, organize a traditional Burns Night celebration, but things go awry when one of their guests meets his end before the first whisky is poured.

When the new police inspector is pushed aside by headquarters before she can crack the case, Dotty can’t resist following her own leads. As she digs deeper, she uncovers the victim’s tangled relationships, jealous spouses, and shady business dealings. But when a sensational newspaper article exposes the case, it threatens not only the investigation but also the auction house which Dotty has just been trusted to manage.

Can Dotty solve the case, or will the truth be drowned out by the skirl of the bagpipes?

Amazon

Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and never expected to travel the world. She’s drawn on her life’s experiences and a love of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries.

Her determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colorful but realistic teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and evocative. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world of intrigue, surprises, and humor, as well as a delectable helping of mystery, because tea and intrigue are a perfect blend.

Author Links
Website * BookBub * Instagram * Pinterest * Goodreads