Comments on: Scottish Oat Cakes

By: Catt of the Garage

Catt of the Garage — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:23:49 +0000

I’ll second that. Oatcakes are not cookies, they are more like savoury crackers,and you eat them with butter and other toppings. Usually they contain just oats, water, salt and butter or lard. The sugar surprises me.

Also they are thin, and not doughy at all – the photo makes these look like they might be slightly soft? Scottish oatcakes are crisp and crunchy all the way through, and should taste of toasted oat, which is a subtle flavour but not bland. Also they are usually made with oatmeal or pinhead (steel-cut) oats, not rolled oats, as the rolled oats can make them doughy, chewy (in a bad way) and bland.

I realise people like to make variations on recipes and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you like this version, you keep making it! I just felt that some harsh things were being said about Scottish food, and I don’t want people to judge it based on something that isn’t really Scottish at all.

By: Rebecca in Scotland

Rebecca in Scotland — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:09:21 +0000

Just in response to a couple of the comments above, here in Scotland, Oatcakes aren’t meant to be eaten as cookies, per se. They are more of a “biscuit” in the British sense, best eaten with a bit of cheese, chutney, or tuna mayonnaise. They are generally served with a cheese course at the end of meal, and are savoury, not sweet.

It’s true the Scots are a thrifty bunch, and food is very different here. But having just completed an extravagent Christmas lunch, it is anything BUT bland!

These biscuits are a dream when you serve them correctly. Thanks for posting the recipe. I’ll be returning to the USA soon and can’t wait to surprise my Scottish husband with them on our return!

By: triciaw

triciaw — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:37:30 +0000

These look great. My Mom used to make something similar to this when I was little. I never was able to get her recipe. What a wonderful new holiday recipe to pass on to the family.

By: laura h

laura h — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:58:23 +0000

These are truly a ‘cookie’ that would be served in Scotland-at least the part of the highlands my daughter lived. She told us over the years that the food was so bland at times she wanted to scream. The area she was in was extremely poor, some of the poorest people she has ever known.
They would only use the extreme basics to make these favorite scones to have with their tea (she still uses the bag 4 times before throwing away). Everything they made was with the very extreme basics and no more.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:35:36 +0000

I made these yesterday. Maybe it’s because we’re not Scottish, but no one in my family cared for them — and we love oats. They are very dry and bland. Sorry — not my cup of tea.

By: Zee @ The Recipe Code

Zee @ The Recipe Code — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:25:17 +0000

Those look awesome but I have one question.. Aren’t they difficult to pick up after cutting? I mean it looks like they’ll breakup easily on the way from work surface to baking tray.. Any suggestions to avoid that?

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:38:12 +0000

My mom always makes a batch of these for my dad for his birthday. They have always had a special place in the heart of my family. AND – they go great with a slice of cheddar cheese on top (and a cup of coffee).

By: Brook V

Brook V — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:56:08 +0000

I for got to mention on my earlier post that my grandmother is also Scottish. I showed this post to my husband, we can’t stop talking about it!

By: Heather :) :) :)

Heather :) :) :) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:17:28 +0000

Oh, I really like these kind of goodies that have taste and texture Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather

By: Shelia in TX

Shelia in TX — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:06:47 +0000

I don’t get it. Can someone Please tell me why every post uses someone else’s recipe? Really, I don’t get it. I’m not a member of Tasty Kitchen or anyother cooking forum but this seems strange to me. Does no one just make up their own recipes from complete scratch? ( I come by way of The Pioneer Woman.)