Tablet (confectionery)

Tablet (taiblet in Scots[1][2][3]) is a medium-hard, sugary confection from Scotland. Tablet is usually made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It is often flavoured with vanilla or whisky, and sometimes has nut pieces in it.[2][4]

Tablet
Typeconfectionery
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Region or stateScotland
Main ingredientsbutter, sugar, condensed milk

Tablet differs from fudge in that it has a brittle, grainy texture, where fudge is much softer. Well-made tablet is a medium-hard confection, not as soft as fudge, but not as hard as hard candy.

Commercially available tablet often uses fondant instead of the milk products. This produces a slightly less granular texture compared to the traditional home-made tablet, and is supposedly easier to prepare on a commercial scale.

History

According to The Scots Kitchen p.304 by F. Marian McNeill, tablet is first noted in The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie in the early 18th century.[5] The traditional recipe uses just sugar and cream. More modern recipes substitute condensed milk and butter for the cream, as it has a tendency to burn when boiled.

Names

Tablet is sometimes referred to as Swiss Milk tablet (Swiss Milk being a term used by some for condensed milk)[6][7][8] or butter tablet.

Similar confections
Sucre à la crème

Tablet is almost identical to Québécois sucre à la crème. It is also reportedly similar to South American tableta de leche. Another close relative can be found in the Netherlands called borstplaat, eaten during the time that Sinterklaas is celebrated.

See also

References
  1. Rennie, Susan (ed.). "Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL)". Retrieved 2009-05-27.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. Bell, John Joy (1903). Wee Macgreegor. pp. 8–9. ISBN 9780559576188.
  3. "Full text of "The household book of Lady Grisell Baillie, 1692-1733"". Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  4. "Scottish Tablet Company". Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  5. The Scots Kitchen. Paperback: 259 pages Mercat Press; New Ed edition (25 Oct 2004) ISBN 1-84183-070-4
  6. S.W.R.I. (1977). S.W.R.I. Jubilee Cookery Book. Edinburgh: Scottish Women's Rural Institutes; Reprint of 8th Edition (1968), p180
  7. David Thomson, IT Department and Community Information, Central Library, The Wellgate, Dundee, DD1 1DB, 01382 431525 (2011-02-01). "Swiss Milk Tablet 1935 | Bygone News". Bygone.dundeecity.gov.uk. Retrieved 2013-06-05.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Tablet | VisitScotland Food and Drink". Eatscotland.visitscotland.com. Retrieved 2013-06-05.


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