Scottish Tablet, Candy Alchemy!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 11:38AM ;)
This is Scottish Tablet. It's a strange and delicious confection. It's like toffee, but not chewy, it's like fudge, but more grainy. It's a very Scottish candy: homey, friendly, unpretentious. It's a little rough around the edges and absolutely perfect that way.
According to the internet, Tablet has been around Scotland since the early 18th century. In the month that we've been here, Bob has consumed nearly his weight in the stuff. He's tried a different brand from every market, souvenir shop, and petrol station we've been in. It was only a matter of time before he tried his hand at making it himself.
Yesterday the following things were added to my grocery list: butter, a kg of sugar, and a can of sweetened condensed milk. When I came home Bob and Eleanor happily got to work. An hour later they had a sheet of molten tablet on the counter cooling, which they successfully left for nearly six minutes before they cut into it!
How is it, you ask? Oh Good Lord!!! It is of the heavens, and my husband a minor god.
Bob & Brenna Redpath
The recipe we used was from this website.
Ingredients
- 1 teacup of milk
- Large tin of condensed milk
- 900g of sugar
- 100g of butter
Directions
- Melt the butter and sugar. Add the condensed milk and the teacup of milk.
- Stir and turn up the heat and keep stirring until it reaches boiling point.
- Turn the heat down low and stir for 45 minutes (chair and book optional!)
- Remove from the heat and beat 60 times with a wooden spoon. Put a wee bit on a plate and if it sets then it's ready to be put onto the shallow trays.
- Score the tablet surface marking into squares and allow to set and get cold.
- Best washed down with Irn Bru!
(We added some vanilla extract at the end).
Reader Comments (8)
Is there a recipe for this...?
Recipe please. Wondering, no vanilla?
Spill.
Love, wh
With Christmas cookie and candy making around the corner, you MUST post a recipe!!!!
Brenna – this is such a classic Bob story. Thanks for sharing. Do you remember the ginger ice cream he concocted during one of your trips to Florida?
I wonder how big a teacup is in Scotland? Here in Canada would that be a standard cup? A cup and a half?
We homeschooled our 3 boys for quite a few years so I am reading some of your entries and enjoying your pictures. Perhaps we'll enjoy your candy too!
Sharon
Bob Grandma Antry used to make Tablet every Christmas,,,And yes they are heavenly!!!
YUMMMMMMMM................sounds and looks great. Brenna, you must have taken the picture very fast before the tribe started eating. Cynthia and I are going to make some for Thanksgiving at Grandmama's. We will miss all of you.
Mom
I'm waiting for the recipe for ginger ice cream!