The city is home to a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that specialize in a range of different desserts, from classic Scottish treats like shortbread and cranachan to modern twists on traditional desserts like Edinburgh Fog.In addition, Edinburgh has a thriving food scene that incorporates a range of different cuisines, including Indian, French, Italian, and more. This means that visitors to the city can enjoy a diverse selection of desserts that are influenced by different cultures and cooking styles. Indian restaurants in Edinburgh are famous for their desserts because Indian cuisine has a long tradition of sweet treats that are made using a variety of different ingredients and techniques. In addition, many Indian desserts are vegetarian or even vegan, making them accessible to a wider range of diners.Some of the most popular Indian desserts served in Edinburgh restaurants include: Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai, Kulfi,Gajar ka Halwa, Barfi. They are also often served in small portions, making them the perfect end to a rich and flavorful Indian meal.
Cranachan
Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert that's typically made with whipped cream, honey, fresh raspberries, toasted oats, and a splash of whisky. The ingredients are layered in a glass or bowl, with the toasted oats and whisky folded into the whipped cream and honey mixture.
Cranachan is often served as a special occasion dessert, particularly during Burns Night celebrations in Scotland. It's a delicious and refreshing dessert that's perfect for summer, with the sweetness of the honey and raspberries balanced by the slight bitterness of the whisky and toasted oats.
While the classic recipe calls for raspberries, some variations of cranachan use other fruits such as strawberries or blackberries. It's a versatile dessert that can be adapted to suit different tastes, but the core elements of whipped cream, honey, toasted oats, and whisky remain the same.
Shortbread
Shortbread is a traditional Scottish cookie that's made with butter, sugar, and flour. The cookies have a crumbly texture and a buttery, rich flavor. Shortbread has been enjoyed in Scotland for centuries and is a staple of Scottish cuisine.
The classic recipe for shortbread consists of just three ingredients - butter, sugar, and flour - but there are many variations and additions that can be made to create different flavors and textures. Some recipes call for the addition of ground rice or cornstarch, which gives the cookies a slightly sandy texture, while others use almond flour or flavorings such as vanilla or lemon.
Shortbread is often cut into rounds or fingers and served with a cup of tea or coffee. The cookies are also popular as a gift or souvenir, and can be found in many Scottish shops and bakeries. The best shortbread is said to be made with high-quality butter, which gives the cookies their rich, buttery flavor.
Tablet
Tablet is a traditional Scottish confectionery that's similar to fudge, but with a firmer texture. It's made with just a few simple ingredients - sugar, condensed milk, and butter - but it requires careful cooking and stirring to achieve the right consistency.
To make the tablet, the ingredients are combined in a heavy-bottomed pan and heated slowly until the sugar dissolves. The mixture is then boiled until it reaches the soft-ball stage, which means that a small amount of the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water. The mixture is then poured into a greased pan and left to cool and set before being cut into squares.
Tablet is a popular treat in Scotland, particularly during the festive season, and it's often served as a sweet after-dinner treat or given as a gift. The texture of the tablet is similar to fudge, but it's firmer and has a slightly grainy texture due to the high sugar content. The butter gives it a rich, creamy flavor, and it can be flavored with vanilla or other flavorings to suit different tastes.
Sticky toffee pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is a classic British dessert that originated in the 1970s. It's a moist sponge cake made with dates and covered in a rich toffee sauce. The dessert is typically served warm and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
To make sticky toffee pudding, dates are simmered in water until they soften and break down into a paste. The paste is then combined with flour, eggs, sugar, and butter to create a thick batter. The batter is then baked until it's risen and golden brown. The toffee sauce is made with brown sugar, butter, and cream, which is heated until it becomes thick and glossy.
Sticky toffee pudding is a rich and indulgent dessert that's perfect for cold winter nights or special occasions. The combination of the moist sponge cake and the sweet, sticky toffee sauce is a match made in heaven. The dessert is popular throughout the UK, and many variations can be found, including versions with added spices such as ginger or cinnamon.
Edinburgh Fog
Edinburgh Fog is a modern twist on a classic British dessert that's popular in some cafes and restaurants in Edinburgh. It's a decadent dessert that consists of meringue, honeycomb, and vanilla ice cream, all served with a thick layer of hot chocolate sauce poured over the top.
To make Edinburgh Fog, the meringue is typically made by whisking egg whites and sugar until they form stiff peaks. The mixture is then piped into shapes and baked until crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside. The honeycomb is made by heating sugar, syrup, and bicarbonate of soda until it becomes frothy and bubbly. The vanilla ice cream is either homemade or shop-bought, and the hot chocolate sauce is made by melting chocolate with cream and butter until it becomes smooth and silky.
The dessert is usually served in a glass or bowl, with layers of meringue, honeycomb, and vanilla ice cream. The hot chocolate sauce is then poured over the top, creating a delicious and indulgent dessert that's perfect for sharing.
Edinburgh Fog is a relatively new dessert, but it's become popular in some cafes and restaurants in the city. It's a decadent and indulgent treat that's perfect for those with a sweet tooth.