How to make your favourite desserts using whisky

Whisky isn’t just for drinking. Sure, we love a dram of Ballantine’s Finest with friends. We also don’t shy away from shaking up a whisky cocktail, from the usual to the unusual. But our scotch also works in the kitchen.

Whisky can be sweet, smooth, fruity and creamy. So it naturally works well with desserts. From berry puddings to chocolate bakes, here’s our favourite whisky desserts, each of which are easy to make and seriously delicious. Make them the classic way, or make them your way with Ballantine’s.

Best whisky dessert recipes

Cranachan

We’re kicking off with a classic. If you really want to do a whisky dessert right, start with this Scottish tradition. Cranachan is a deliciously fruity pudding that puts Scotland’s ingredients at the forefront; toasted oats, sweet honey and tangy raspberries, folded into whisky whipped cream. Epic.

Serve up this must-have dessert on Burns Night to join in the Scottish celebrations. It’s also great for spring, summer or whenever you get that craving.

Whisky chocolate cake

Not much can make a chocolate cake better. Except whisky. The boozy addition adds extra richness and depth to this sweet bake. Strictly for adults only.

There’s a few ways to spike your favourite recipe. The simplest is to pour about a cup into the mixture, replacing some of the wet ingredients. You can also go with a whisky ganache, buttercream or caramel sauce to drizzle on top.

Chocolate mousse and whisky cream

The simplest way to make a dessert using whisky is with cream. Whisky is already a smooth spirit, so mixing it with cream just makes it even smoother. Carefully fold in a tablespoon of scotch to a carton of whipped cream and add sugar to taste. Then add it to your favourite desserts.

The easiest is chocolate mousse. Leave your chocolate and cream mix to set before topping with a layer of whisky cream and dusting with cocoa. There’s no better way to comfort your sweet tooth.

Whisky affogato

If you like your desserts simple and small, try this whisky twist on an Italian classic. An affogato is as easy to create as it’s quick to eat. One shot of hot espresso gets poured over ice cream and an optional pour of alcohol. In this recipe, it’s not optional.

Start by popping a scoop of ice cream into a small glass. Vanilla’s best for a simpler serve. But there’s no rules here. Rum and raisin, chocolate chip, stracciatella gelato – try it with your favourite mix. You’ll then pour the coffee, add the whisky and then it’s time to get stuck in before the ice cream melts.

Discover more ways to use Ballantine’s in the kitchen. From whisky and Chinese food pairings to the best snacks to serve with whisky. And don’t miss our collection of cocktails to sip as you get stuck in.