Before it was a viral TikTok trend, the late Queen Elizabeth II was a big fan of stuffing Ginger Nut biscuits into Greek yoghurt and calling it cheesecake, according to her former personal chef of 15 years. 

Uploading a cooking tutorial video to his YouTube channel, ex-Buckingham Palace chef Darren McGrady revealed details about his previous boss’s snacking habits and said she was enjoying the dessert before it was popular online. While the late Queen preferred it as a dessert, some people online are choosing it as a breakfast treat instead. 

The Japanese cheesecake recipe went viral on social media as a healthy alternative to the traditionally calorific dessert and involves stuffing Lotus Biscoff cookies into a pot of Greek yoghurt and letting it chill in the fridge. 

Users filled For You Pages with their takes on the unique dessert, and Darren followed suit, swapping Biscoff for Ginger Nut biscuits as he claimed they were the Queen’s preference. 

Alongside a full tutorial on how he used to whip up the sweet treat while working inside the palace’s kitchens from 1982 until 1993, the chef added a caption explaining why he was showing his followers this particular recipe. 

He said: “When I saw the latest viral dessert on social media, I thought, ‘That’s not new! The Queen was eating that over 30 years ago’. I’m sure you have seen all over TikTok, Instagram and Facebook the viral Japanese cheesecake with Greek yoghurt and Biscoff cookies. Well, when I was at Buckingham Palace, I used to prepare a very similar dish that used ginger biscuits (cookies).  

Darren McGrady was the late Queen Elizabeth's chef for 15 years © Angela WeissDarren McGrady was the late Queen Elizabeth’s chef for 15 years

“This is probably one of my easiest recipes to prepare but was always served at the Royal table.”

He revealed the one minor difference between the Queen’s dessert and the viral trend and explained: “At Buckingham Palace, we’d often serve this dish called gingernut cream and the chefs loved to serve it, the Queen loved ordering it and loved eating it!” 

Darren highlighted that the royal version of the Japanese cheesecake included squirts of whipped cream on top of the yoghurt once the biscuits had been inserted. He piped the whipped cream, yoghurt and sugar topping and dunked the biscuits in a whiskey and water mix to soften them, while he joked about the Queen’s taste for alcohol. 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, walking on train platform© Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II enjoyed the viral dessert before it took off online
A royal trendsetter 

Underneath Darren’s video clip, royal fans and social media users flooded the comment section with their thoughts on the late Queen’s snacking habits and praised her for being ahead of the curve. 

One said: “I definitely think the Queen was ahead of the trend. I mean, Princess Diana was eating overnight oats before it was popular.”

queen taking tea break in canteen © Getty ImagesShe swapped out Biscoff for Ginger Nut

Another added: “I can just see the Queen standing there nearby (in spirit, of course), smiling and saying, ‘Oh, I do miss that!’.” 

“This looks so appetising, Darren. The Queen certainly had excellent taste in food. Rest in Peace, your majesty,” a third user added underneath the clip that garnered almost ten thousand views. 

Health benefits of Greek yoghurt 

While consumed in this combination, it may not be the most healthy option, Greek yoghurt in general is considered to be good for you. Dietitian Sergio Guerrero explains that the yoghurt, which has its roots in the Balkans and the Middle East, has been the subject of countless scientific studies proving the benefits of the common supermarket buy.

He outlined the perks to be: 

Bone health: Yoghurt is an excellent source of calcium, which is vital for keeping your bones strong and healthy. When fortified with vitamin D, it significantly boosts calcium absorption, helping to ward off conditions like osteoporosis – particularly important during the menopause or as we get older.
Metabolism and weight management: Numerous studies have shown that enjoying yoghurt regularly can help maintain a healthy weight. Its high protein content, combined with probiotics, helps fire up the metabolism and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. It may even reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome when paired with a balanced lifestyle.
Lowering the risk of chronic disease: Regular yoghurt consumption has been linked to a lower incidence of long-term health issues. Due to its mix of probiotics, calcium and protein, it is associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Muscle building: Developing muscle isn’t just about hitting the gym; it’s about getting enough of the right protein. Yoghurt—particularly varieties like Greek yoghurt or Skyr – is an outstanding source of “highly bioavailable” protein. The “power couple” of protein and calcium found in yoghurt speeds up muscle recovery after exercise, helping to reduce fatigue and lower the risk of injury.Â