Scottish Tablet

Now, I think its time for something sweet

How about

Scottish Tablet

Scottish Tablet

One of my fondest Scottish treats

I have very early memories of Scottish Tablet

I remember my mum giving it to me in my "piece" (school snack) in Primary One, when we lived in Dundee

and throughout the years, Tablet was made in our home a lot

I tried making Tablet as a teenager and would give up, asking my mum to take over

Tablet is one of those things that can be really tricky to get right, it can turn to toffee or just never set, and it can burn so easily, so patience is a must.

Like many sweet treats in Scotland, it is the stuff that makes dentists smile, keeping them in business, due to all the sugar,

but

Oh. My. God. Its. Good.



Here is my mums recipe


You will need


2lb Sugar
Cup of Full Cream Milk
14oz (396g) Tin Condensed milk
Knob of butter
(what is a knob of butter anyway? I used that smaller cut off chunk of butter in pic below)

........... Oh, and you will need a really strong arm (for beating the mixture)




Put Sugar, Butter and Milk in a heavy set pot and bring to boil. 

Sugar, Milk, Butter

Melt together until Sugar is completely dissolved.

Milk, Butter and Sugar dissolved

Add Condensed Milk and simmer, while stirring, on medium for 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture darkens and stiffens slightly. 

adding Condensed Milk

Getting the mixture darker and thicker is more important than the time stated, it took me 30 minutes this time


Never walk away from this stuff as it can burn easy, you need to keep movement in the pot

Darker mixture, now thickening

Once thickened... Take off heat and beat until stiff, usually 5-10 minutes


(this is where that strong arm comes in, I used Mr Tartan Tastes arm for this one)

Tablet and a Strong Arm

Once Tablet mixture stiffens, pour out into a baking tray to further set.

Tablet being poured into tray

Score into squares with a knife while still warm

Tablet scored into square slabs

Leave on counter to set, or put in fridge to set


Hints and tips


You need patience, patience, patience 


While beating, I have heard many people have tips for finding out if Tablet is setting and stiffening, my mum says, you just know when its getting tougher to stir, and she is right, big muscles are made from making Tablet


If mixture is not stiffening, for extra help, fill bottom of kitchen sink with cold water and place pot in there and beat mixture until stiff


If you don't leave it on the heat long enough it will never set and will be soft instead


My mum says, if you have already poured it into the tray and its not setting, scrape the whole lot back into the pot and start heating again, it will turn liquid again and then stir until it is ready, no need to throw the mixture out


A large sturdy pot is best

Me and My Mum

So this is my mums recipe, I have grown up on this amazing sweet yummy treat.

Every time my mum said she was away to make Tablet, my Sister and I would cheer.

My mum is The Tablet Making Expert, hers always sets and is always the perfect colour

Mine on the other hand, lets just say I have had my bad Tablet moments

Thank you mum, for your sweet, delicious Tablet recipe

Enjoy pals



Angela




p.s. shhhh! Don't tell your Dentist


I also have a great microwave recipe for Tablet, I will share that soon