Growing up in North Dakota, one could always bet that a family gathering of some sort would have three food staples:
- Beans.
- Potato Salad.
- Bars (like the really, really yummy kind)
Although the Fairy Godmother makes one heck an abso-amazing seven-layer bar (and Mom, I love all your cooking), my Great Grandma Peter made the best Special K bars. When we were little she would bring them to family events in the old school silver pans that the top slid on with (don't worry, I have two of these bad boys in my kitchen)....and in permanent marker was the name of the woman who owned the pan (and the bars in it). No matter how small or large she cut the bars (with a butter knife mind you) there always was the perfect amount of peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch goodness inside each bar.
Grandma Peter's recipes were either in her brain (my Grandma Shirley points to her head each time she tells this story) or written down. For the life of me I still cannot figure out what she mean by "just a touch" but Grandma Shirley says that means you put a little in, stir, taste and repeat until you get it right and when asked Grandma would always say "oh no I never use measuring cups or spoons", to the question of how do you know how much to put in. She would just say "you just know".
There is one recipe I have mastered that my Great Grandma Peter created. I changed a few things (because at least 10% change makes it not copying) for this post but you can bet your bottom that this is one heck of a dang good recipe. So this is what I call love:
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Corn Flakes
- 1 cup corn syrup (yup, the high fructose good-for-you kind)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 bag (small bag) butterscotch chips
- 1/2 bag (small bag) chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Pour the 6 cups of Corn Flakes into a big mixing bowl.
2. Place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup corn syrup (the good-for-you kind) into a small saucepan on low to medium-low heat. Stir consistently until it reaches a low boil.
3. Place 1 cup peanut butter (you can use the generic kind) into the low boil sugar/corn syrup mixture, remove from heat and stir.
4. Pour the melted peanut butter, sugary concoction into the measured bowl of Corn Flakes and stir until all is coated.
5. Spray a 8.5 x 10" pan with non-stick cooking spray and pour the coated cereal from the bowl into the pan. Use a spatula to flatten and mold the coated cereal to cover all areas of the pan.
6. In a small, microwaveable bowl, place both the 1/2 bags of butterscotch + chocolate chips. Microwave on high for about 50-60 seconds. Remove, stir and if not melted, place back into microwave for increments of 15 seconds. The first 60 should get you there!
7. Pour the melted chocolate + butterscotch delicious-ness over your pan of coated cereal. Let cool for about 30 minutes. Cut and love :)
Lessons of love were learned each time I have made this recipe. I knew I had it right when the Fairy Godmother quietly whispered "oh these are really, really good". So although this recipe does not involve a Prince Charming (although someday perhaps)....this modern day Cinderella still sings to the tune of "so this is love".
XOXO,
Danika
