When I first moved into my own place my parents made me promise two things: Firstly, that I wouldn’t get a deep fat fryer and secondly that I would never try to make tablet on my own. I was so terrified of exploding vats of milky sugar that I have heeded their request until now. By the way, I moved out twelve years ago so they really put the fear of God into me. For those of you who have never had the Scottish tablet experience, you’ve missed out! It is probably the sweetest thing you will ever eat but it is incredibly addictive. The closest thing I can compare it to is fudge but tablet has a much grainier texture.
Anyway, I signed up to the UK Craft swap on Craftster a few weeks ago and then was struck with complete panic over what to make. The premis of this swap was that we’d make something that reflected where we live and I was completely stuck for inspiration until I remembered how much I lurrrve tablet and so I gave it a go. My swap partner hasn’t received her parcel yet but I shall feed back what she thinks once she’s opened it.
I have to say that I’m raging I waited this long to try and make it because it was dead easy. So! Here I shall walk you through it. PLEASE don’t make this if there are kids around you, leave it until they’ve gone to bed. Also – in case I don’t remind you enough during the instructions do NOT stop stirring.
Ingredients
1kg white sugar (caster or granulated is fine)
120ml (1/2 cup) milk
100g unsalted butter
1 can (approx 400g) condensed milk (I found a non-Nestle version by a company called Farmlea in Sainsburys)
You will also need:
The largest pan you own (stock-pot kind of size)
a cup of cold water
a teaspoon
one square baking tray, lined with greaseproof paper
Wooden spoon
- Make sure you have everything in the above list because if you have to stop stirring your tablet, you’ll ruin the whole lot and you’ll be furious at yourself. Trust me on this.
- Put the sugar into the pan and pour the milk evenly over the top. Cut your butter into slices and put it in the pan with the condensed milk. Lick the condensed milk spoon (this stuff has 1300 calories per can. Relish it.) Turn the heat on the lowest setting and start stirring.
- Once the sugar melts and the mixture becomes more liquid, turn the heat up to a medium level. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to the boil, making sure you regularly run the spoon around the bottom of the pan. You’ll notice that the mixture changes colour suddenly – keep stirring until you feel the mixture become more viscous. It took me about 45 minutes to get to this stage.
- Turn the heat off, quickly take your teaspoon and scoop a little of the mixture out and dunk it into the cold water. You are looking for your mixture to ooze off the spoon slowly. If you feel it – carefully! it’s still hot! – it should be quite hard. Pour your tablet mixture into your pre-prepared lined tin.
- Leave for 10-15 minutes then take a sharp knife and quickly mark your tablet into small bite-sized pieces. Leave your tablet to cool completely – or better still, overnight – before turning out of the pan and breaking up.
- Give to anyone you wish to be your bestestest friend. Hide from the children.
Let me know how you get on if you make this!
This post was written by Vonnie on July 8, 2010
I’ve made tablet more times than I care to count, its dead dead easy but can result in uber sticky mess if it’s not stirred, like you said.
I love the stuff but the sugar content is mental
My mums secret tablet recipe is pretty close to yours, but with an added ingredient! I know a woman who makes tablet professionally, and she makes hers in a pressure cooker so that you don’t need to stir it – I don’t really know how it works, and it’s not as smooth as the stuff my mum makes, but its not bad and saves armache from stirring…
Oh dear me – I miss tablet suddenly! I went to uni in Stirling and it was something that kept me going through all nighters. Nothing like a sugar injection at 3am. I’m going to have to try this recipe
I’ve been meaning to make some of this for a while now, printed off a recipe and everything. Guess what I’ll be doing at the weekend!
Yummy! Still not got round to trying it.
Soon, very soon!
Susi
x
Sounds lovely, my hubby would love it! Might have to make him some for a treat soon
I tried to make tablet once and failed miserably to make tablet that same once.
I’m too scared to try again, although since my mum started making a montly batch of tablet a few years ago I’ve been completely sickened off the stuff! Never even thought that was possible, but there ya go
I lurve tablet! I’m frightened making anything where I have to melt sugar though…
My husband thinks Tablet is one of the best thing about Scotland (and he loves Scotland). I’m passing this on to him because I bet he’ll want to make it.
Hmmmm…never heard of it but I am a loooooong way from Scotland. Sounds yummy. I shall have to have a go
Gemxxx
I love making Tablet, but your missing an ingredient. I am thinking that this might be a family secret though so not outing it here!!!
Mmmmm, sounds lovely. I bought it before when I’ve been in Scotland. My mouth is watering now. :0)
Ive never heard of this but it sounds yummy. May have to give it a try!
I saw your recipe for tablet. I live in the U.S. and have never heard of this candy.
We do have something almost exactly like this called Penuche. I am going to try your recipe. Love your blog.
Awesome, now I finally have an idea what to make for my mum’s birthday. I’m just a little worried because I have a tiny, tiny kitchen… :/
We first tried tablet when on a Scottish vacation last year- browsing the little souvenir shop in Luss and here’s this sample dish out- sure, I’ll try some! LOL i think I ate the whole packet that day!
Back in Texas, made some for last Christmas, and Ive been made to promise to make it every Christmas for now on! (and I think i may have to make a summer batch now, just for fun!)
You have to stir for 45 minutes..?
I’ve never heard of this before, but really want to try it. However, with 2 autistic kids, I’ll have to heed your warning about after bedtime!!!
You should post this on epicurious.com. They don’t have any versions of this on there and I know it would be a big hit.
Morning! Just made another batch of this yummy treat. Poured it (badly!) into mini cake cases in the hope that it will be looking pretty for tomorrow.
Yummm! In Mexico this treat is known as “leche cremada” (Cremed Milk)…it was my favorite candy as a child and I would always buy it when we went to the theater.