Scottish Butter Tablet Recipes

SCOTTISH TABLET

Steps:

• Line a 22 x 18cm tray with baking parchment. Put the butter and 150ml water in a pan over a low heat, and melt the butter (don't let the water boil). Tip in the sugar and dissolve, stirring often.
• Bring the water to the boil, turn down to a simmer, then add the condensed milk. The mixture will be a light creamy colour.
• Cook for 20-30 mins, stirring often, until the mixture is thick and a deep caramel colour.
• To test, drop a little mixture onto a cold side plate, it should not run and should be thick and sticky after 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and beat for 10-15 mins until it has slightly thickened. Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool for 30 mins before cutting into squares.

SCOTTISH TABLET

Steps:

• Butter a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan, and set aside.
• Pour milk, water, cream, and sugar into a large, heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the butter, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. After 20 minutes, remove from heat, and beat in vanilla extract. Continue to stir until the mixture is no longer glossy. Pour into prepared pan, and let cool until hard, about 6 hours.

PERFECT SCOTTISH TABLET

Steps:

• 1. Grease a shallow tin approx. 25cm X 35cm.
• 2. Melt the butter in a large, heavy-based pan (as tall as you have) over a low heat. Add the sugar, salt and milk and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and simmer over a fairly high heat for eight minutes.
• 3. Add the condensed milk, stir well, then turn the heat down and let it simmer for about another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Start testing at this point: once it reaches 115C, it's done. (Alternatively, dribble some of the mixture on to a cold saucer. Leave for a couple of minutes, then push it with your finger; if it sets, it's done.)
• 4. Take off the heat, add any flavourings, if using, and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon or electric beaters until thickened but still pourable (about 10 minutes if done manually, less with beaters). Pour into the prepared tin and leave to set, scoring squares after about 20 minutes. It is best left out to dry slightly overnight.

SWEET SCOTTISH TABLET

Steps:

• Grease and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine sugar and milk in a large stainless steel pan; stir well. Add sweetened condensed milk and butter; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until mixture turns a deep tan color and is thickened, about 10 minutes. Heat to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) or until a small amount of mixture dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.
• Vigorously stir mixture, scraping sides down and mixing well. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Allow to cool at room temperature until set, 1 to 3 hours. Cut into small squares or "tablets".