Scrumptious Scottish Puddings
Medieval castles, lush green highlands, and musical melodies abound in Scotland. It can be tempting to overlook the scrumptious traditional Scottish puddings that have been passed down through the generations. Here at Clootie McToot Dumplings, we know that Nessie has nothing on our nation’s puds.
From cranachan to tablet and drop scones, there is a traditional Scottish pudding to suit every tastebud. Whether you call Auld Reekie or The Dear Green Place home, you will be sure to recognise some of these delightful desserts.
Sit back, relax, and join us on a journey into the history of the nation’s favourite puds.
Drop Scone Traditional Scottish Pudding
If you are searching for a sweet treat so delicious that it travels overseas, look no further. This delightful dessert has ties to none other than Queen Elizabeth II. When US president Dwight D Eisenhower visited Balmoral Castle in 1959, he brought one of his favourite recipes with him.
This pud earns its name from the final step in the recipe. Once you have combined the self-raising flour, salt, caster sugar, free-range eggs, milk, and a wee bit of oil, simply drop the batter into a hot frying pan.
You would be forgiven for mistaking these small round treats for pancakes. Drop scones are fluffy and fun for the whole family. You can enjoy them hot or cold. This traditional Scottish pudding can satisfy either a sweet or savoury tooth. We love heating them up and eating them chopped strawberries and whipped cream.
Cranachan Traditional Scottish Pudding
This is a true classic. The name of this pudding is Gaelic and translates to ‘churn’. Cranachan has roots in the harvest period. Our ancestors made cranachan to celebrate the end of their raspberry harvest in June.
Made with more mature tastebuds in mind, cranachan incorporates one of the nation’s favourite tipples into its time tested recipe.
Simple oats form the basis for this easy-to-make dessert. Heady malt whiskey, soothing honey overtones, and rich cream settle into the oats and create a sweet, strong, and sumptuous dessert. Raspberries add a much-needed tangy tart note to this traditional cranachan concoction.
What once began as a celebration of a bountiful harvest has turned into a Scottish staple. Families all over the nation indulge in our version of Eton Mess on festive holidays such as Christmas and Hogmanay. So many people love this sweet Scottish treat that it has even been known to grace the table of an ordinary Friday night family dinner.
Dundee Cake Traditional Scottish Pudding
Like drop scones, Dundee cake has links to the monarchy. Mary Queen of Scots did not like the Scottish fruit puddings on offer at the time and turned her nose up at popular cherry and raspberry adorned desserts. This classic pud was born when local bakers took the recipe for Dundee cake and swapped cherries for almonds.
The recipe has stood the test of time. Straight out of cookbooks from the 1600s, this cake only requires a few key ingredients. Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and baking powder are complemented by Seville marmalade, almonds, raisins, and of course, a generous amount of orange zest.
Seville marmalade and orange zest make this cake stand out from the crowd. We recommend tucking into this traditional treat after tea. Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots ate it regularly after supper!
Tablet Traditional Scottish Pudding
Tablet has taken pride of place at many a Scottish suppertime. The recipe for this iconic Scottish pudding can be traced back to The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie from the early 1700s. As in modern times, this delicious dessert was a staple amongst the middle and upper classes alike.
In true Scottish fashion, tablet takes culinary creations one step further. It is characterised by being like fudge, but not quite. Fudge has a soft centre, but tablet is harder and more brittle. Whereas fudge lovers will use double or clotted cream to achieve the soft, smooth texture they want, tablet calls for condensed milk.
One bite of tablet will transport you back to sweeter times. Melt in the mouth goodness is never far away when you stock tablet in your kitchen pantry. Tablet crumbles into bite-sized sugary chunks that are sure to put a pep in your step after supper.
Clootie McToot Dumplings Traditional Scottish Dumpling Pudding
Nothing says Scotland quite like clootie dumplings. This dessert has earned a reputation for being the best Scottish fruit pudding, and no wonder! At Clootie McToot Dumplings, we have discovered just how versatile these puddings can be.
The recipe for clootie dumplings was first published in 1747, which makes this Scottish dumpling pudding one of the oldest on our list. To cook a clootie dumpling you will need a simple cloth, which is known more traditionally as a cloot. This pud will gain its characteristic skin when you simmer the package in water for a few hours.
The nation loves this Scottish dumpling pudding because it can be made with a few simple ingredients. Flour, spices, and fruit combine to create a staple that is perfect for Christmas, Hogmanay, and everything in between.
Complete with a brown, round exterior, clootie dumplings look rather unassuming. It is only when you cut into one of our warm Scottish fruit puddings that you experience a taste of traditional Scottish culture.
There are so many ways that you can enjoy clootie dumplings. You can serve a slice of dumpling alongside your black pudding at breakfast, or even crumble the pudding on top of cheese, crackers, and your favourite chutney. In our family, nothing compares to a warm slice of clootie dumpling alongside vanilla ice cream. Whether you prefer a sweet or savoury slant, you can delight in this delicious pudding.
Discover Our Scottish Dumpling Puddings
With our wide range of clootie dumplings, it has never been easier to find a pudding that suits the whole family. You can stay close to the classics with a traditional clootie dumpling or venture out into the unknown with our Evermore range. Taste sensations abound when you delve into one of the best-loved Scottish fruit puddings.
