I feel as if I may have misled you.
When I started this blog, i am baker, it was an extension of my initial blog, i am mommy. I thought it was kitchy and fun to continue the "i am" theme, but now I fear I was entirely too presumptuous in declaring, "I am baker!"
You see, there are many who have baked better and longer and more successfully then I.
Many, many, many folks I tell you!
For instance, this weekend I made Special K Bars. Or, as the rest of the world refers to them, scotcheroos.
My very first batch. Ever.
You would think that someone who proclaims, "I am baker!" would at least have conquered the elementary basics of baking. Seriously, dont they teach more complicated recipes then this in home ec?
Do they still teach home ec?
I seem to be going about this whole baking blog thing all wrong. So bear with me, cause I really dont foresee me getting it right any time soon.
Anywho, I made these.
They rock.
Then, because I seem to only be able to think of months on terms of what Holiday they represent, I decided I better make some St. Patrick's Day bars.
So I changed up the recipe a bit! Used Special K Oats and Honey cereal, added green marshmallows, and green chocolate melts.
I really wanted to add the tiniest bit of peppermint to the chocolate but chickened out at the last minute. Anyone ever had peppermint peanut butter? I am pregnant and that still didnt sound right to me.
Green, green, green. Its basically the only contribution I make to this Holiday... add more green food into the world... since 90% of the time when St. Patricks Day rolls around I am pregnant or nursing. No green beer for me!
I dont know if it was the marshmallows, but this second batch came out much creamier and soft. It literally melts in your mouth!
I think I actually will try adding peppermint to the white (green) chocolate next time. Just a tiny bit though! So its more of a suggestion then an actual flavor. :) If you try it, be sure to let me know how it tastes!
Here is the recipe I used!
adapted from busycook.about.com
Special K Bars
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 cups corn syrup
- 1-1/2 cups peanut butter
- 6 cups Special K Oat & Honey cereal
In a large microwave safe bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar corn syrup and mix well. Microwave on high for two minutes.
Remove from microwave and add 1-1/2 cups peanut butter. Stir until mixture is fully combined. Add cereal and marshmallows and mix until well combined.
- Half package semisweet chocolate chips (6oz)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup green chocolate melts
Put chocolate melts into microwave for one minute, then remove and stir. Continue microwaving for 30 second intervals until chocolate is completely melted. Watch closely! When melted, spread evenly over cereal mixture.
Combine semi sweet chocolate chips and 1/3 cup peanut butter in small microwave safe bowl. Heat on medium power for two minutes then remove and stir. If necessary, put chips back in microwave for 30 second increments to fully melt chips. Stir until smooth, then spread over cereal mixture.
Let cool completely (if you can!), then cut into bars.
Enjoy!
***
Wanna know who won the FLIP CAMERA?
I chose a winner using random.org, and picked one comment between 1-1203.
The winner is #122 Diana! Congrats!
You have been sent an email Diana!
These look SO good! And I still think you can call yourself "i am baker"! ;) Do you know I've never even heard of these? But, I'm glad to know about them now!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Mar 07, 2011 at 07:49 AM
Yum! Special K bars are totally my favorite!!! At least in Iowa, they aren't the same as Scotcheroos. Scotheroos are made exclusively with rice krispie cereal. In our family we have a genuine divide of loyalists to one or the other--and you must pick sides! Way too intense for sugar, I know!
I would love to switch it up with green, but the sugar mob disagrees. ;). Still, you've created a craving!
Posted by: Londa | Mar 07, 2011 at 07:50 AM
I can't wait to try these! This is something my kids can help with. Have an awesome day!
Posted by: Joy | Mar 07, 2011 at 07:51 AM
I've never made scotcheroos. They do still teach home ec though :) These look super yum!
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Mar 07, 2011 at 08:12 AM
This may be a totally random question, but when I make something like this, I can never get pretty, neat, cut squares like you have in your pictures. Any tips? And BTW, I am a new follower--the Oreo Cherry Cordial thingy totally sucked me in--and i think one of the best things about blogging, is that your blog belongs to you, you can call it and do with it what you want!
Posted by: Stacie | Mar 07, 2011 at 08:20 AM
oooh, I can't wait to try these Amanda!!
Posted by: TidyMom | Mar 07, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Love the green addition!
Posted by: Maria | Mar 07, 2011 at 08:54 AM
You ARE baker. I love reading your blog. (Even though I've only recently come out of lurking, I've been here..) These look delicious. I've never heard of "Scotcheroos" but being Canadian might have something to do with that. Either way, they look delicious and I'm on the food color kick for holidays too. There's either been a baby in mah belly or I've been nursing since April of 2008. :)
Posted by: Jennifer Nixon | Mar 07, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Only you could make something so simple look so crazy delicious!!
I have never made scotcharoos either. Isn't that weird?
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:01 AM
Hello
I once tried adding peppermint flavour to melted chocolate, and it seemed to somehow curdle the chocolate :( I was sad, and I havent attempted it again. But maybe someone else has been sucessful!
Those look delicious by the way!
Posted by: Melisa | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:07 AM
Amanda, these bars would be awesome with or without the pinch of mint. Funny how we sometimes forget about the basics ;) xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:10 AM
OK, these look amazing!! My problem is I'm on Weight Watchers and my question is how many points are these? LOL
leslie
Posted by: leslie rottner | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I have never heard of these. But they look yummy! I'm not so sure about the mint though...but to each is to their own. :)
I would not question saying "i am baker". It's not the the level of difficulty of the recipe itself, but it's the creativity and passion you put into the art of baking. I can see that you have a great deal of creativity and passion in your baking.
As far as home ec goes, I had it nearly 20 years ago (shhh) and the only thing I learned how to make were no-bake cookies lol!!
Posted by: Amber | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Oh my goodness they look divine! Yummmm how are you my friend? Haven't been really good about reading/posting lately.
Posted by: Libby | Mar 07, 2011 at 09:47 AM
your ganache looks so professional...just like a pro! don't sell yourself short. you are my
muse - you make me say "ooooooo" out loud each and everytime I read what you have to say. And I love your perspective - your photography. One day, I am going to say, "I knew here when..."
Posted by: susan | Mar 07, 2011 at 10:32 AM
OMG!!!! that looks delicious!!!
i have to make it this weekend... if i can wait till then!!
thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: fargopatt | Mar 07, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I've never used brown sugar in my Special K bars...that sounds even more delicious! Those bars are a big favorite at our house. I love your green March version!! (however, I have reservations on the mint and PB thing...maybe you can convince me otherwise?!)
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Mar 07, 2011 at 10:46 AM
These are my favorite! We call them Peanut Butter Crunch Bars.
My topping is a bit different. It's chocolate chips and butterscotch chips melted together.
Posted by: Heather | Mar 07, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I think your I Am Baker is perfect! No baker is perfect is life is a learning process. But aside from that, you kick out some freak'n fab baked goods!
And of course, these look absolutely yum!
Posted by: naomi | Mar 07, 2011 at 11:23 AM
These look great! I am currently trying to think of things for St. Patrick's Day for my blog too. I also seem to only think "green." Haha, but there is nothing wrong with a little more green in baking for a day :)
Posted by: Leanna | Mar 07, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Also, I definitely think of time with relation to holidays too. You're not alone :)
Posted by: Leanna | Mar 07, 2011 at 11:47 AM
These bars look yummy! Anything with chocolate in it is definitely a winner for me :)
Great job, Amanda!
Posted by: Aikko | Mar 07, 2011 at 12:28 PM
They look great! I sure hope they still teach home ec, or else at least 1/2 the kids will only know how to order take out when they hit 20 by the amount of people who eat fast food for dinner :)
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Mar 07, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Is your original scotcheroo recipe on your website somewhere? I'm not a mint fan and I think the original looks fantastic! I googled scotcheroo since I've never heard of them, and yours looked by far the best.
Posted by: drewsmom | Mar 07, 2011 at 01:35 PM
happy st paddy's day to you -
Posted by: Lucy Lean | Mar 07, 2011 at 02:11 PM
I'm with Stacie - how do you cut them so perfectly?
Posted by: Georgia | Mar 07, 2011 at 02:11 PM
I let these bars sit overnight so the set up very well, then I used a really sharp knife! Blessings all!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Mar 07, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Oh my I can't have these around my house. I will keep nibbling at them. This was a staple for me an an old roommate. We would make a batch and snack on them for a week or so. Scotcheroos and Ramen Noodles is pretty much what I lived on for a while. Those were in my skinny days!
Posted by: Sheila | Mar 07, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Oooo....I'm in the library, drooling all over the keyboard! I want to make these with Nutella so badly, I can hardly stand it! Nutella and mint just doesn't seem like it would work, but if peanut butter, chocolate, and mint work, I think Nutella would be an awesome choice as a substitute! :-) I'm all about trying new things...so thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Becca | Mar 07, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Looks soo delicious,
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | Mar 07, 2011 at 03:14 PM
They look so yummy!
Posted by: Renee | Mar 07, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Look at those - how fun! I love special K bars (aka scotcheroos in my family). This will be the perfect treat for St. P's day! And by the way - holy pictures. Compliments to you and your camera!
Posted by: Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum | Mar 07, 2011 at 06:25 PM
You can do no wrong in my eyes. These sound amazing!
Posted by: Celeste | Mar 07, 2011 at 07:50 PM
You want to know something, I don't think I've ever made these either! I've made rice crispy bars but that used only marshmallows and butter. I'll have to try these.
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Mar 07, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Scotcheroos to me are made with rice krispies & have butterscotch in the chocolate topping...hence "scotch" eroo, no? So yours are something totally different, I think. The St. Paddy's day version is so cute!
Posted by: Tara | Mar 08, 2011 at 07:49 AM
When I google the recipe that is what came up.. over and over again! I think there must be many variations! :)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Mar 08, 2011 at 07:56 AM
I'm a new follower AND a baker and I think your "I Am Baker" is a great idea. I'm not a professional baker - 95% of my skill is self-taught :) You might be able to grow the "I Am Baker" by having other mom/home/bakers as guest bakers. I also post my baking creatings (and sometimes baking FAILS) on my site...stop by and visit sometime :)
Posted by: Liz | Mar 08, 2011 at 09:54 AM
These sound lovely! I love the green for St. Patrick's Day, too!
Posted by: Tracy | Mar 08, 2011 at 01:09 PM
yum. also, when I read your title : iam baker it is then followed with a : hear me roar .. i cant help it :) I say if you bake, your a baker :)
Posted by: Bridgette | Mar 08, 2011 at 01:46 PM
My boyfriend gets Butterfinger mixed in to Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream every time we go to Marble Slab. I am with you and think it's disgusting. But he insists that it's a delicious combination.
Ew.
Posted by: Carolyn L. | Mar 08, 2011 at 02:25 PM
These look beautiful, and I've never made them before, either! Great treat for St. Patrick's Day!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Mar 08, 2011 at 03:52 PM
how festive! this may have been your first time making scotcheroos, but there's no way it'll be your last!
Posted by: grace | Mar 08, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Gorgeous bars, and I agree... peppermint and PB just don't sound quite right!
Posted by: Kristen | Mar 08, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Yum! How cute are these?!?!
Posted by: Robyn | Add a Pinch | Mar 08, 2011 at 07:34 PM
I was eating a Thin Mint and thought of you and this post, and put some peanut butter on it.
Conclusion? It works! Go for the mint next time!
Posted by: Kari (Culinarication) | Mar 08, 2011 at 09:51 PM
You make everything look so irresistible. I've seen these done with Rice Krispies (as others have already mentioned) but never Special K nor with that gorgeous frosting on top. Either way, both are cereals so I guess these can pass as a breakfast food too. LOL
Posted by: Paula | Mar 08, 2011 at 10:29 PM
I thought you misled us because the title of your post was "St. Patrick's Day Bars" hee hee.
Posted by: Kelly | Mar 09, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Those look irresistible my dear!
Simply irresistible.
Posted by: Wenderly | Mar 10, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Are your kidding me?! You are totally a baker! And you're fun and entertaining. Keep it coming.
Posted by: Kelley Hart | Mar 11, 2011 at 01:43 PM
I am new to your blog & am loving it.
Just wanted to let you know that while I was pregnant with my 1st child 12 years ago I discovered that mint & peanut butter go great together, at least they do when you order a mint peanut butter cup blizzard from Dairy Queen - you should seriously try it - I am not pregnant & it is one of my favorite blizzards to order - they look at you strangely the first few times you order it but who cares.
Thanks again for the great blog.
Posted by: Kelli | Mar 25, 2011 at 08:43 AM