No three-course meal is complete without dessert — and the UK has plenty of sweet treats to choose from. Each nation has its own signature favourite, and surprisingly, I’ve never actually tried any of these yet! But that just makes it more exciting for when we visit each place.
Here are four desserts I’ll definitely be tasting when we travel.
🍓 England — Eton Mess
There are a few stories about how Eton Mess came to be, but they all lead back to Eton College. The most popular tale is that someone dropped a perfectly good strawberry pavlova, scooped it back together and served it anyway — and the students loved it. Another version claims a dog knocked it over!
Either way, the dessert is simple and classic:
Strawberries, whipped cream and crushed meringue.
Other colleges have made their own variations, including using yogurt or changing the fruit — though I’m not sure I’ll be trying the banana version…
Eton Mess feels easy, comforting and perfect for summer. I can definitely see us making this on the road, or ordering it during a sunny café stop.
🥃 Scotland — Cranachan
Cranachan began as a celebration dish during the summer raspberry harvest. Traditionally, it’s made with:
- fresh raspberries
- toasted oats
- honey
- cream
- and whisky (which I may or may not try!)
It almost resembles a fancy overnight oat parfait, which makes sense since it evolved from a breakfast dish.
When we visit Scotland, I’ll be hunting down a version of this — whisky or no whisky — and I think it will be fun to compare berries vs berries: England’s Eton Mess or Scotland’s Cranachan. Which one will win?
🍪 Wales — Welsh Cakes
Welsh Cakes have been around since the days when mining was common in Wales. Wives and mothers would make them to send with miners underground, while families at home would enjoy them warm with tea.
They’re a mix between a scone, a biscuit and a pancake, cooked on a griddle and usually dotted with raisins.
I’ve been to Wales many times, but somehow have never tried one. My parents have a bakery nearby that still makes traditional Welsh Cakes, so that’s officially on the list for my next visit.
🍒 Northern Ireland — Fifteens
A simple, no-bake treat that’s perfect for a coffee break.
The recipe is named after its ingredient ratio:
- 15 digestive biscuits
- 15 marshmallows
- 15 glacé cherries
- condensed milk + coconut
Mix, roll, chill, slice (or don’t) — and enjoy.
You can find Fifteens in cafés, supermarkets and community bake sales across Northern Ireland. I can already picture Erika and I picking one up during a slow afternoon wander.
✨ Final Thoughts
Yes — that was a lot of sugar!
But at least they all contain fruit, so that counts as balance… right?
I can’t wait to travel to each corner of the UK and try all of these properly — in their home places, made by people who love them.
Food is one of the easiest and most joyful ways to learn about a culture, and these four desserts each carry a piece of history with them.
Here’s to sweet adventures ahead. 💛
Couch Potato to World Getter 
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