Feasts and Festivals: Raspberry Cream for Midsummer

Raspberry Cream

Before we get to the Raspberry Cream recipe, here’s what you need to know about the festival of Midsummer (24 June). Traditionally, it’s a time of divination and a time to gather flowers and herbs while they’re at their most potent evil-bashing capability. There are several Midsummer activities you can try–wear a floral crown to ward off mischievous spirits and put a garland around your cow’s neck for the same purpose (don’t tell me you don’t have a cow!); go out and pick St John’s Wort and place a sprig above your front door to repel evil; burn a fire of Rowan branches to protect yourself from witchcraft. However, if you’re in the mood for a little witchcraft yourself, you can use a black velvet pincushion (everyone has one lying around, right?) to tell your future. Just stick tiny pins spelling out your name on one side of the pincushion and a design of a cross-quartered circle on the other. Place this fortune-telling pincushion in your right stocking and hang it off the foot of your bed. Supposedly, you’ll see your entire future in a dream.*

Raspberry Cream
I don’t much go in for fortune telling, but if there’s Raspberry Cream in your future, you’re going to have a good time. It’s quick, it’s simple, it’s delicious. The only work is making sure your raspberries are top-notch–everything else (brandy! sugar! cream!) is just a bonus. If you’ve ever had Cranachan, Raspberry Cream is like a Cornish version.

Raspberry Cream

4 ounces (115 g) raspberries
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons brandy
1/4 cup heavy cream / 65 ml double cream

Gently wash the raspberries and leave them out on a towel to dry. Meanwhile in a mixing bowl, dissolve the sugar in the brandy. Put the mixing bowl in the fridge.

When the raspberries are dry, get the mixing bowl out and add the heavy cream to the sugar/brandy combination and beat until the cream holds soft peaks. Either divide the raspberries between two glasses and top with cream, or gently stir the raspberries into the cream and then mound in glasses.

Serves 2

Adapted from The National Trust Farmhouse Cookbook.

Print

*This came from the always-fascinating Cattern Cakes and Lace: A Calendar of Feasts.

11 thoughts on “Feasts and Festivals: Raspberry Cream for Midsummer

  1. Lori

    I definitely need a flower crown! Maybe I can fashion one in my spare time or maybe I can talk your daddy into making one? I love the idea of the pincushion induced future telling dream. I actually think I could manage the pincushion, but don’t think I have any stockings anymore – would a sock work? The raspberry cream is so pretty and would be just perfect for these hot summer days. Love you!

    1. Lauren Hairston

      As I have neither a pincushion or stockings I wasn’t going to attempt it. I do have some wellie socks, though. Besides, I think when that tradition started stockings were just like woolen knee socks, anyway. Totally need a flower crown. Check out Michelle’s at My Creative Photography.

      1. Lori

        Oh, my gosh! That is amazing and way more elaborate than I was envisioning!

  2. Monet

    My little one was born on June 25th, so sometime in the next few years, I’d love to throw her a midsummer’s birthday party. This raspberry cream looks lovely…and your blog is beautiful. Thank you for sharing Lauren!

    1. Lauren Hairston

      The floral crowns would make such a good craft activity or party favor! Such fun. I think I need to do a flower crown tutorial for next year.

  3. Melissa@Julia's Bookbag

    How delightful is this??? Happy Midsummer’s Eve!!

    1. Lauren Hairston

      Happy Midsummer to you, too!

  4. Sally - My Custard Pie

    LOVE cranachan and never knew there was a Cornish version 🙂

    1. Lauren Hairston

      Me, too! What makes raspberries and cream better? Liquor.

  5. Toni

    Hi Lauren, popped over from your Mum’s blog. Thank you for reminding me of this quick dessert (I haven’t made this for sooooooo long). Love the info about Mid-summer – I think we need to see a picture of your Mum in a floral crown.
    Toni xx

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