This is a question we get asked often when trading at markets and events, Tablet may be one of the most popular sweets in Scotland but once you cross the border in to England very few people have ever heard of it! At first glance, Scottish tablet and fudge look remarkably similar. Both are made using many of the same core ingredients, including vanilla, sugar, milk and butter, so it's easy to see why they're often mistaken for one another.
The biggest difference isn't what goes into the pan, it's what happens after it comes off the heat.
Scottish tablet is cooked to a higher temperature before being beaten as it begins to cool. This encourages thousands of tiny sugar crystals to form, giving tablet its unmistakable crumbly texture and satisfying snap. It breaks apart beautifully in your mouth before slowly melting away, creating the sweet, traditional taste that generations of Scots have grown up with.
Fudge, on the other hand, is treated much more gently. The aim is to keep the sugar crystals much smaller, producing a smoother, silkier texture that's soft, creamy and slightly chewy. Fudge is also generally richer, with a buttery flavour that lingers a little longer on the palate.
So, although the ingredients are remarkably similar, the different cooking methods create two completely different sweets.
As for which one we prefer? We might be a little biased, but Scottish Tablet just takes the edge for us. That said, we'd never say no to a good piece of handmade fudge either!
Tablet - A Sweet with Over 300 Years of Scottish History
Scottish tablet has been enjoyed for well over 300 years, with the earliest known written reference appearing in a Scottish household book dating back to the early 1700s. By then, tablet was already a familiar treat, suggesting it had been made in Scottish kitchens for many years before anyone thought to write it down.
The earliest versions were much simpler than the tablet we enjoy today, often made with little more than sugar and cream. As more ingredients became widely available over the centuries, recipes evolved into the rich, crumbly confection that has become one of Scotland's most recognisable sweet treats.
Unlike many foods, tablet doesn't have a single inventor. Instead, it became part of Scotland's culinary heritage through generations of home cooks, with every family adding their own little twist to the recipe. The question every Scot has before they try tablet is, “aye, but will it be as good as ma grannies” I always have the same answer, “No, but it will be the next best thing” We might be able to compete on flavour and quality, but nostalgia almost always wins.
Fudge - A Sweet with Surprisingly Modern Origins
Contrary to what many people believe, fudge isn't older than Scottish tablet—and it didn't originate in England.
Most food historians believe the fudge we know today first appeared in the United States during the late 1800s, making it more than 150 years younger than Scotland's much-loved tablet. While nobody knows exactly who created the first batch, one popular story suggests it was born from a happy accident when a batch of caramel didn't quite go to plan.
Although fudge may have begun across the Atlantic, Britain quickly made it its own. English confectioners embraced the recipe, refining it over the years and helping to make it famous in seaside towns and coastal villages, where watching fresh fudge being made has become almost as much a tradition as eating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tablet just Scottish fudge?
No. Although they're made using many of the same ingredients, they're two completely different sweets. The biggest difference is the cooking method, which creates tablet's crumbly texture and fudge's smooth, creamy consistency.
Is tablet sweeter?
Most people would say yes. Tablet tends to have a more intense sweetness, while fudge is usually richer and creamier thanks to its buttery flavour. Which you prefer is entirely down to personal taste.
Is tablet only made in Scotland?
Not anymore. Tablet is now enjoyed around the world, particularly wherever Scottish communities have settled. However, it remains one of Scotland's most iconic traditional sweets and is still most closely associated with its homeland.
Which is harder to make?
Ask ten confectioners and you'll probably get ten different answers! Both require care, timing and experience, but tablet is often considered less forgiving. A small change in temperature or timing can make the difference between a beautifully crumbly tablet and one that's either too soft or too hard.
Where did Tablet get its name from?
Nobody knows for certain, but it's widely believed the name comes from the way the sweet was traditionally poured into flat slabs before being broken into small tablet-like pieces.
Where did Fudge get its name from?
The most popular theory is that the first batch of fudge was created by accident when a confectioner "fudged" a caramel recipe. Nobody knows if it's true, but it's certainly a fitting story.
How We Make Ours
At Threepwood Fayre, we still make our Scottish tablet and fudge using the traditional family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. While we've embraced modern equipment where it genuinely helps with consistency, we still believe the finishing touches are best done by hand.
Our tablet is still hand beaten, hand poured into trays, hand cut and hand broken before being carefully packed into bags. In fact, we're probably a little old-fashioned—we still hand tie every bag ourselves before it leaves the factory.
You'll find our sweets at markets and events across the west coast of Scotland, available to order here on our website, and supplied to hotels, restaurants and gift shops throughout the country. We also produce larger catering boxes of our traditional Scottish tablet, which are often enjoyed as wedding favours, corporate gifts and special event treats.
However you discover us, our aim has always been the same: to make traditional Scottish confectionery the way it should be made—with quality ingredients, small batches and plenty of care.
Ready to Taste the Difference?
Reading about the difference between Scottish Tablet and Vanilla Fudge is one thing, but tasting them side by side is another altogether.
At Threepwood Fayre, we still make our Scottish Tablet and Vanilla Fudge in small batches using traditional family recipes, giving each sweet its own unique character. Whether you're a lifelong tablet lover or trying it for the very first time, there's only one real way to decide which you prefer.
We regularly run special offers across our handmade sweet range, making it the perfect opportunity to compare them for yourself. Be sure to check our latest offers when you visit our online shop.
Browse our handmade Scottish sweets below 👇
