THE Scots Conservatives have come under attack for a bizarre criticism of children's minister Maree Todd after she posted a recipe for tablet on social media.

Todd's sweet treat ingredients included 2lbs of sugar, 4oz of butter and a can of condensed milk - apparently prompting Tory outrage.

Referring to the Edinburgh government's healthy eating plan unveiled this week, a party spokesman said: "It's clear that when the SNP try to encourage healthy eating it's do as I say and not as I do."

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But an irate Todd took to Twitter to explain her actions: "This is pretty lousy from both the @heraldscotland and the @ScotTories. I shared the recipe because I had spent a lot of time hand making a treat for care experienced young folk for their summer camp."

Fellow SNP ministers then piled in to defend their colleague.

The new social security security Shirley Anne Somerville tweeted: "What a miserable bunch @ScotTories are. Someone makes traditional Scottish treat for care experienced young people and this is a bad thing!! Says more about their pathetic outlook on life than it does about @MareeToddMSP. PS Please make batch for when we get back from recess."

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse also came to Todd's defence suggesting it was a low blow.

The First Minister's office manager, the Glasgow Councillor Mhairi Hunter was among the others to wade into what was becoming an absurd spat on social media.

"Scottish Tories slagging of Maree Todd for making tablet. Big mistake. I think you will find my Tory chums that tablet is the hill Scotland will die on," she tweeted.

Support for Todd even came from figures in rival parties.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon tweeted:“Only the @ScotTories could have an adverse reaction to kindness, love and compassion; not ingredients that feature in their policy recipes. This sweet gift from @MareeToddMSP will be cherished by the care experienced young people long after they’ve burned off the calories.

Journalist Sean Bell of the Common Space pointed out: "You show me a recipe for tablet without several pounds of sugar... and I will not make it. Because it will taste bad!"

Scottish Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson posted a message of support to Todd: “My role @CYPCS is to hold @scotgov to account, but it is also to promote good practice. Young people's minister @MareeToddMSP home baked treats, packed them with love, & sent to care experienced young people at @whocaresscot summer camp. Brilliant #happiness #love #understanding

Responding to the row, a Scottish Government spokesman put the official position: "The minister would of course advocate eating tablet only as an occasional treat, as part of a healthy and balanced diet."