Scottish Tablet Recipe
By jacqui2011
Sweet tooth?
Many fine things have come from Scotland - black pudding, haggis, shortbread, lorne square sausage, Irn Bru and last but not least - Me! No, seriously I am referring to Scottish Tablet. "What is tablet?" I hear you cry. Well, its a very sweet, sugary, crumbly, calorie-packed taste of candy heaven.
My English fiance and his family had never heard of it before I whipped up a batch for them to sample. Being Scottish and living in England has one major drawback - you can't pop to the shops and buy a bar, instead I have to make my own!
Please note that this recipe was written without the permission of my dentist, who is probably rubbing his hands together at the thought of what my next bill will be.
Tablet Recipe
Ingredients :
1 teacup of whole fat milk
1 tin of condensed milk (400g)
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
100g of unsalted butter
900g of granulated sugar!! - no this isn't a mistake!
What you will need:
Large non-stick saucepan.
Wooden spoon (for stirring and licking afterwards!)
Shallow rectangular baking tin with approx 1 inch sides.
Cup of cold water (for testing mixture).
Method:
- Grease the baking tin.
- In the saucepan, add the sugar and pour on the milk until covered.
- Add the butter, condensed milk and vanilla essence.
- Bring to the boil on a medium - high heat.
- Stir continuously until the mixture boils. (this takes approximately 15-20 mins.)
- Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for a further 20 minutes.
- Stir regularly.
- Once the mixture starts to darken to a butterscotch colour, it is ready to test.
- To test, use a teaspoon and put a little of the mix into a cup of cold water. It should form a ball and fall slowly from the spoon when it is ready.
- Remove from the heat and stir continuously until you feel the mixture start to stiffen slightly, making it more difficult to stir.
- Pour into the baking tin to cool. (You may need to spoon some of the mixture in as it will start to stiffen quickly now.
- Allow to cool for approx 1 hour and lightly mark the tablet into bite sized squares.
- The tablet will take a further 4 or 5 hours to cool and set completely, so leave it alone and go and do something else for a while!
- Cut into squares and place on a plate ready to share (or not!)
Please note that if you were on a diet - forget it!
A sweet little gift
Homemade tablet is often given as a gift in Scotland. You could surprise your friends and family by giving them a few squares in a little gift box tied with ribbon. Alternatively, place several pieces in cellophane and decorate with ribbon or a bow.
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Comments
Oh my gosh! I have this one bookmarked to make sometime in the near future. I can see my blood sugar levels soaring just at the thought of this. I can't wait to taste them. Yum!
Holy sweet! That looks as if it could be addictive! As a rule I don't do desserts, but I'm going to have to try that the next time the children are here.
Attikos - Hi my name is Jacqui and I am a tablet holic!
This is seriously addictive, I think the children will love it too. They will probably be hyper for the whole of the visit, but hey they will love you for it.
homesteadbound - Thanks for the comment. It is my absolute favourite although I do usually end up with painful arms with all the stirring, but its worth it.
Just Ask Susan - Glad I could help with the recipe. I, too will be making this at Christmas. The kids like to make little gift boxes and give to their grandparents. Of course, I make enough to share with the family on Christmas Night.
This sounds delicious! Bookmarking so I can try this!
OMG jacqui! I know what this is ... we refer to this as Tablet fudge down 'ere in the West Country and my old man is seriously addicted to it. I will just have to make some for him.
Thanks for the recipe ...
I have a sweet tooth and will be trying this. I think it would make a wonderful present as well.
Thanks for the recipe.
Jacqui, you're absolutely right the Scottish Tablet is delicious! I used to eat this when I lived in England but haven't had any for a few years since moving to Canada. You're recipe looks very easy so I think I should indulge!
Thanks for sharing, and voted up
Cloverleaf.
Thank you, I remember this form being a child in the UK, I will definitely be trying it myself.
@ Sheila Kennedy - I don't think you will be disappointed and I'm sure it will bring back many memories.
@ cloverleaf - Thanks for the vote up. The recipe is really easy, the only problem I have with it is trying not to eat the condensed milk before I put it in the saucepan!
@ Blond Logic - I am famed in my family for having a really sweet tooth. You're right, it makes a great present. My daughter always gives them out at Christmas in a little box to her friends and teachers.
@ Angie Jardine - Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm sure it will bring a smile to your hubby's face when you present it to him.
@ sagebrush_mama - It is 100% guaranteed delish. I am looking forward to making some at the weekend.
I had to laugh at your warning about the dentist. My brother's girlfriend got her master's in Scotland and will really appreciate this.
@ randomcreative - Hope your brothers girlfriend likes it. I can almost hear my teeth scream just before I take a bite of tablet. Thank you for your comment.
Hi jacqui, a sweet gift indeed! I shall have to try making it, lovely many thanks for sharing.
@ Movie Master - It's sugary heaven! It's a lot of arm aching stirring, but well worth it. Enjoy.
Hi, Jacqui. Love your recipe and it reminds me of just the way my Gran used to make it when I was a child.
Maybe I should whisper this: unfortunately, I don't like tablet...
That is nothing against tablet, simply due to the fact that I don't like anything sweet. Hope your recipe proves to be of great use to people - as I can see already it is going to be! :)
@ Gordon Hamilton - My partner finds tablet too sweet. Thanks for whispering it though. Lol.
Yum. Those look delicious.
@ felicitylovesparis - Thank you. They certainly satisfy my very sweet tooth!
Just Ask Susan 8 months ago
My grandmother used to make this and I've been searching for the recipe for years. Thanks so much. Even though I am on a diet I will be making this for Christmas this year.