Sweet, creamy and moreish are just some of the best words to describe Scotland’s take on classic fudge. Surviving since the 18th century, Scottish tablet fudge has been around for generations and comprises of three main ingredients: sugar, butter and condensed milk. A delight for enjoying at any time of year, the unique and crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth fudge is a special Scottish treat. So to discover why the sweet is so irresistible, here’s what it takes to make Scottish tablet fudge.
The History Of Scottish Tablet
Scottish tablet fudge actually has a long and interesting history and was originally discovered in The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie. The traditional recipe consisted of only sugar and cream, however it is now more frequently made with milk and butter instead of the cream to avoid the tendency of burning. The fudge can be flavoured with vanilla, whisky or nuts and is often considered a firm favourite sweet for Scots, particularly when it is made at home. Also known as Scots tablet or Swiss Milk tablet, it is best enjoyed after dinner and is often seen at Scottish weddings or other celebratory dinners.
Want to know how good the age old Scottish recipe is? Here at Fine Scottish Hampers we have some delicious sweet treats to tempt your taste buds. Our Ochil Fudge Pantry Scottish Tablet is a classic example of traditional Scottish tablet fudge and is handmade using a 100 year old Scottish recipe. It will only take one bite of this sweet Scottish treat to taste all the buttery and sugary goodness from each crumbly piece.
Image: Ochil Fudge Pantry Scottish Tablet 90g
What Is Scottish Tablet Fudge Made Of?
Butter - The best fudge is made using a high quality, unsalted butter to give it the full sweet flavour. It is best not to substitute the butter for margarine as the recipe is calorific anyway and it will spoil the taste.
Sugar - This is the most important ingredient of good Scottish tablet fudge. Cane sugar makes more sense to use as it dissolves well and if possible, a touch of vanilla makes all the difference to the final taste.
Condensed Milk - This is essentially whole milk that has been boiled with sugar to create a caramelised liquid. Condensed milk is commonly used as it is, however some prefer more fresh than condensed and may even add hot water.
How Is Scottish Tablet Fudge Made?When it comes to making the fudge, a lot of patience is required as the butter and sugar have to be stirred occasionally so that it doesn’t burn, rather than constant tampering. Additionally, any extra flavours such as whisky or ginger are beaten into the mixture at the end. Those who bake at home may prefer to use an electric beater, but it can also be mixed by hand. The delicious bars of Scottish tablet fudge are usually sold in smaller portions due to the rich and buttery flavour they offer. They are perfect for enjoying as a little afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee!
Image: Deanston 12 Year Old Malt Whisky Fudge
So there you have it, a mouth-watering insight into what Scottish tablet fudge is and how it is made. For more tasty treats to devour, browse all of our Scottish tablet and fudge here.
