So today is International Joke Day
And not wanting to be left behind, we have a fudge joke for you….
My mom doesn’t like it when I eat a lot of sweets.
So whenever she asks me how much I’ve had I just fudge the numbers.
There you go – happy joke day everyone.
So Tuesday the 13th of February 2024 is Shrove Tuesday. And while many of you may be rushing out to buy chocolate spread, syrup etc, may we suggest an alternative…Vanilla Fudge Pancakes!!!
Vanilla Fudge Pancakes
This soft, sweet and meltingly delicious fudge pancake recipe will go down a storm with kids and grownups alike.
Ingredients
180g plain flour
180ml milk
1 tbs white sugar
8g baking powder
a pinch of salt
2 large eggs
1 tbs unsalted butter
Vanilla Extract
A tin of meltingly delicious Gardiners Vanilla Fudge.
The Method
Step 1. Mix the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
Step 2. Melt the butter.
Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk the two eggs, the melted butter and milk.
Step 4. Create a small crater in the bowl of mixed flour and pour in the bowl of mixed milk/butter/eggs.
Step 5. Mix the contents until they become a smooth mixture with no lumps.
Step 6. Add a non-stick frying pan to a medium heat. When suitably hot, take a large spoon of pancake mix and add a ‘blob’. You are aiming for an end result pancake of 1cm. Turn over to cook on both sides.
Step 7. Set the cooked pancakes to the side and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Step 8. Take the meltingly delicious fudge, add to a heatproof bowl and place over a pot of low simmering water. Slowly stir until the fudge melts into a smooth delicious sauce. Try to melt the fudge slowly for a smooth consistency. If you need to, you can add a little water, natural yoghurt or even honey to help create a fluid consistent sauce.
Step 9. Pour over the fudge sauce.
Step 10. Yum yum yummmmmmm…..
Okay so let us paint the picture…..you have a tin of our meltingly delicous vanilla fudge but you have decided NOT to just eat it all on its own (I know – crazy right!!). Anyway, in this ludicrous scenario, what would you do with some of the fudge. Well, why not make a Banana Bread with Fudge!!!!
And to help you with that, here is a recipe for one.
Banana Fudge Loaf
Ingredients
150g (5oz) salted butter (keep a bit to the side for greasing)
300g (10oz) plain white flour
175g (6oz) muscovado sugar
2 medium or large free-range eggs
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
150ml milk
3 bananas
75g (3oz) of our Meltingly Delicious vanilla fudge
Whipped Cream
The Method
Step 1. Turn on the oven to 180ºC (160ºC Fan). Use a piece of butter to lightly grease the baking tin.
Step 2. Beat the butter and muscovado sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat the mixture between adding each egg.
Step 3. Add the flour and bicarbonate of soda, stir in to the mixture and then add the milk gradually until you are left with a smooth mixture.
Step 4. Mash the bananas and then add into the mixture.
Step 5. Cut up the vanilla fudge and add into the mixture (be sure to gobble a cheeky extra bit for yourself to celebrate completing stage 5.)
Step 6. Spoon the mixture into the baking tin and smooth the top of the mixture once it has settled.
Step 7. Bake for about 30 hour on the middle rack of your oven. After 30 minutes, remove the loaf from the oven. Cover with foil and then return to the oven for another 30 mins.
Step 8. After the loaf has been in the oven for an hour, take it out and let it sit to cool for about 10 mins before you try and take it out of the baking tin.
Step 9. Once the loaf has cooled you can decorate it with some whipped cream, extra slices of banana and some more small cut pieces of fudge.
Step 10. Yum yum yum yummmmmmmm!!!!
Discover the History of Rum and Raisin:
Yesterday, in the Gardiners office, we were feeling that Friday buzz, so much so that a couple of us forgot it was only Thursday! To shake off that little disappointment, we decided to treat ourselves with something sweet. And when you’ve got access to the entire stock of Gardiners’ meltingly delicious Scottish fudge, the big question is: which flavour do you choose?
Through a casual conversation about ice cream the other day, we remembered the perfect flavour, Rum & Raisin Scottish Fudge. Meltingly Delicious – Yes. A classic flavour – Yes
As we opened the carton and indulged, someone asked, “Where did rum and raisin come from?”
After a quick search, we found that this classic flavour has deep roots. It all started in Sicily, where raisins were paired with local wine in a flavour called Malaga. But when the recipe crossed the Atlantic, Americans replaced the wine with rum, creating the iconic combination we love today.
From Sicily to Your Taste Buds:
The story of rum and raisin doesn’t stop in Sicily. Once the Americans swapped wine for rum, this flavour took on a whole new life. It moved from being a regional specialty to a beloved global treat. And it’s no wonder, it’s a flavour that captures the exotic warmth of rum and the natural sweetness of raisins.
Rum and raisin became a staple not just in ice creams and fudge but in a variety of desserts worldwide. From pirate tales to dessert aisles, its evolution is a testament to the way flavours travel and change over time, reflecting culinary creativity and cultural influence.
Why Rum and Raisin Became a Global Classic:
Rum and raisin’s appeal goes far beyond its ingredients. It has endured for generations because it represents more than just a tasty combination, it’s a flavour steeped in history and cultural significance. The rich, smooth taste of rum blends perfectly with the sweetness of raisins, creating a dessert flavour that transcends time.
But why has rum and raisin remained so popular? It’s a combination that reminds us of the past while feeling perfectly suited to today’s dessert trends. Whether it’s enjoyed in ice cream, fudge, or other treats, the timeless appeal of rum and raisin keeps it a global favourite.
Bring the Tradition Home:
If you’re inspired by the history of rum and raisin, why not bring a little of that tradition into your own home? With Gardiners’ Rum & Raisin Scottish Fudge, you can savour the taste of history in every bite. Whether you’re looking for a classic recipe or a modern twist, this flavour is versatile and timeless.
Explore traditional recipes that feature rum and raisin in all its glory, from fudge to cakes and pies. Or, try out unique pairings that highlight its rich, sweet, and slightly boozy flavour. With so many options, rum and raisin opens the door to endless dessert possibilities.
Join the Rum and Raisin Tradition Today:
So, what started as an attempt to speed up a slow Thursday turned into a delicious lesson in culinary history. We not only satisfied our craving with Gardiners’ Rum & Raisin Scottish Fudge, but we also connected with a flavour that has travelled through time and cultures.
And who knows, this fun fact might come in handy in a pub quiz, or simply impress someone with our knowledge of this historically significant, meltingly delicious flavour!
If this has made you yearn for the smooth flavour of Gardiners’ handmade Scottish fudge, you can check out our Rum & Raisin fudge right here.
Gardiner’s of Scotland Ltd are delighted to begin a working partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University.
Today we had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Janice Taylor for an introductory site visit. We discussed the winning combination of supporting education and the next generation of food and drinks manufacturers.
As we will always need food and drinks, this was a very easy and enormously valuable discussion to have. Of course, it was made sweeter as we were surrounded by a variety of handmade confectionery.
Scottish grown talent and Scottish brands are highly regarded in the global market. That’s because we do a lot of things very well.
Here’s to continuing the Scottish food and drinks success with the next generation.

It is the start of another working week (sigh). But if you are looking at the week as another 5 days before freedom and the weekend then what you really need to do is treat yourself.
At Gardiners, we make delicious handmade fudge to our own traditional Scottish fudge recipe. With each piece of fudge individually wrapped, Gardiners fudge makes for the perfect little treat. What better way to get through the week than with an occasional piece of Clotted Cream Fudge? Or if you are only just breaking free of the grip of chocolate addiction, then maybe some Chocolate Fudge can help you move onto better tasty treats.
At Gardiners, we produce a huge variety of flavours of fudge that come in beautifully designs cartons and tins that make them the perfect gift or special treat to help you get through the week.
Enjoy. And remember, by the time you have finished reading this – you are already a little bit closer to the weekend.
A meltingly delicious pancake recipe, that we guarantee won’t disappoint…
It is Shrove Tuesday which to those with a sweet tooth is actually PANCAKE DAY!!!
Across the country, so many people will be mixing ingredients to create what they think is the perfect pancake recipe.
We don’t want to burst your bubble or anything but we have the perfect pancake recipe and unsurprisingly, it involves fudge.
Ingredients
180 Grams of plain flour
2-3 Teaspoons baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
30 Grams of caster sugar
2 x Large eggs
250ml Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
100-120 grams of Gardiners of Scotland Vanilla Fudge (whatever fudge you have left can be enjoyed on its own (added bonus)).
Instructions
To recreate this meltingly delicious Fudge Pancake recipe, simply…
- Simply sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a bowl.
- Combine in steps the milk followed by the vanilla extract and egg yolks into the bowl with the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- Stir until completely combined.
- Break the Gardiners Vanilla Fudge into small pieces then add to the mixture.
- Pre-heat a suitable frying pan and then once its hot enough spoon the mixture onto the pan in even amounts.
- Allow to cook for 1-3 minutes (depending on how you like your pancakes) then flip over and repeat for a further 1-3 minutes.
- Repeat this process until all the mixture has been used.
- Add your favourite toppings to your pancakes (we love adding sliced banana and some golden syrup)
- And the final step….munch, munch munch.
Meltingly Delicious Fudge and Banana Pancakes for Pancake Tuesday using Meltingly Delicious Gardiners Handmade Vanilla Fudge.
While you can buy all our delicious fudge confectionery on our website, if you happen to be in the area you can pop into our factory shop and pick up all the presents and stocking fillers you could need for Christmas.
Opening hours 9am – 4.30 pm Mon to Thursday. 8.30 am to 12 noon Fridays.
All our amazingly delicious fudge is handmade in our factory in the heart of Scotland.
BERetail at #TFWA in Cannes, visit us at booth M27, Red Village
We are proud to announce that we have recently launched our brand new website. From here Gardiners will be able to offer even more of our delicious confectionery range across the world. Discover the many product ranges we have to offer.