Homemade Scottish Tablet

Homemade Scottish Tablet is a traditional Scottish sweet with a buttery, crumbly texture and a rich caramel flavor. This easy Scottish tablet recipe is perfect for gifting, holidays, or whenever you want a classic treat made from simple ingredients. 

The Best Scottish Tablet Recipe at Home 

Sweet, buttery, and perfectly crumbly, Scottish Tablet is a traditional treat I love making at home. It uses just a few simple ingredients and has that firm, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. Unlike fudge, homemade Scottish tablet is richer and sweeter, almost like a butter tablet, and every bite reminds me of those homemade sweets shared at Scottish celebrations.  

This Scottish tablet recipe is simple and always worth the time. Butter, sugar, condensed milk, and patience come together to create that classic crumbly finish everyone loves. When it cools, and I cut the squares, the buttery aroma fills the kitchen, and the pieces disappear fast. 

Why You'll Love My Recipe

• Only 5 Pantry Ingredients: Everything you need is simple, familiar, and probably already in your kitchen. 
• No Thermometer Needed: You don't need anything fancy, just a spoon and your eyes. 
• Perfect Texture Every Time: Crumbly, rich, and never too hard, it melts in your mouth. 

Scottish Tablet Ingredients

You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.

• Butter & Milk: I always use real butter for the richest flavor, and a touch of milk helps everything melt together smoothly from the start.  
• Sugar: It may look like a lot, but it's what gives Scottish tablet its sweet, crumbly signature. I've learned not to mess with tradition here.  
• Water: Just a small splash keeps the sugar from clumping early on and makes the mixture easier to work with. It's a simple but important step.  
• Condensed Milk: This is what brings the magic. It adds that creamy richness and caramel flavor that makes homemade Scottish tablet unforgettable. 

How to Make Scottish Tablet

You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:

1. Heat the Base Ingredients: In a heavy-based pan, heat butter, milk, water, and sugar on low until the butter melts. Increase to medium and stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Boil and Thicken the Mixture: Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the condensed milk and continue stirring over low to medium heat for about 20 minutes until it thickens and turns caramel-colored.

3. Beat to Create the Signature Texture: Remove from heat, transfer to a large bowl, and beat vigorously until the mixture loses its gloss and becomes thick and grainy.

4. Set and Cut into Squares: Pour into a lined tin, smooth the top, and let it set for 15 minutes. Cut into squares and allow the Scottish tablet to cool completely.

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Recipe

Homemade Scottish Tablet

This homemade Scottish tablet has a classic buttery sweetness and that signature crumbly texture. It's a traditional Scottish treat that's perfect for holidays and gifting. 

5 from 3 votes

Print Rate

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: British, Scottish

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 40 Tablets

Calories: 132

Author: Estefania

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 125 g Unsalted Butter
• ▢ 150 ml Whole Milk
• ▢ 150 ml Water
• ▢ 900 g Granulated Sugar
• ▢ 200 ml Sweetened Condensed Milk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Grease a baking tin and set aside.
• In a large pan, combine the butter, milk, water, and sugar. Warm over low heat until the butter melts completely. Increase the heat to medium and stir constantly until the sugar has fully dissolved. Once it reaches a gentle boil, continue cooking over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly to keep the mixture from sticking or scorching. 
• Add the condensed milk and stir well to combine. Briskly simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes over low-medium heat until it darkens to a caramel color, stirring continuously.
• Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Let it cool for a couple of minutes. Beat the mixture vigorously with a whisk until it thickens and loses its glossy appearance.
• Pour into the prepared baking tin and smooth the top with a spatula. Let the tablet cool and set for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
• Remove the squares from the tin and allow them to cool completely.

Notes

Simmer Slowly and Watch Closely: I keep the heat at a steady low-medium and never stop stirring to avoid any burning at the bottom.

Use a Big Bowl to Whisk: I pour it into a large bowl before beating so I have plenty of space to really get into it without making a mess. 

Let It Cool Briefly Before Beating: I always let it sit for a couple of minutes off the heat so it’s easier to handle and doesn’t splash while whisking.

Beat It Until Just Right: I like to whisk the mixture until it thickens and starts to lose its shine; it’s what gives the tablet that perfect crumbly texture.

Cut While It’s Still Soft: I like to slice it while it’s just set, about 15 minutes in, so the edges come out clean and smooth. 

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.02mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.