We just got back from our first hunting trip of the season – early goose in North Dakota. This is also our hottest hunting trip of the year, and as I’m getting all the food and goodies ready, I like to have a couple options that I don’t need to bake in the oven. So I turn to one of my favorites – Special K Bars.
Special K bars are an unbeatable combination of a crunchy peanut buttery cereal bar topped with a chocolate and butterscotch frosting.
It seems like every family has their own recipe for Special K bars although I’ve also heard them called O’ Henry bars or Scotcheroos. This is my Aunt ‘Thann’s recipes and in my humble opinion, it’s the best one out there. I can’t think of a single family gathering where Aunt ‘Thann didn’t bring Special K bars. She even brought them to my graduation party, and I put them with the other desserts thinking it was her normal contribution. When I jokingly complained that they were flying off the pan and I’d hardly get any, she informed me that they were a present for me and I didn’t need to share if I don’t want to. I honestly don’t remember if I left them there or hid them, but I was touched that she made me my own pan of my favorite treat.
Like every good family recipe, it’s never the same when you make it as when mom, grandma or in this case Aunt ‘Thann does. I always wondered what it was, so the last time we were all together, I sampled plenty of the bars to try to put my finger on it and decided that it was simple – I was using the wrong size pan. I always made mine in a 9×13 inch pan but Aunt Thann’s were thinner than mine. This gave hers a more equal ratio of frosting to bars. So I decided that I’d make my next batch in a jelly roll pan and double the frosting. Turns out these were a LOT closer to Aunt Thann’s recipe. I might always think that Aunt Thann’s are better than mine, but my co-workers didn’t seem to notice when they cleaned out the pan I brought to a recent pot luck.
Here’s what you need:
Start by mixing the sugar and corn syrup together in a medium bowl.
Microwave until it comes to a bowl – I do this in 60 second intervals and it usually takes about 3 and a half minutes. You can tell it boils because it will turn clear. This will allow the corn syrup and sugar mixture to combine without any graininess.
Now stir in the peanut butter.
Pour this over some corn flakes. I know these are called Special K bars, but I always make them with corn flakes (or generic corn flakes).
Spread the cornflake mixture onto a jelly roll pan and press down into an even layer.
To make the frosting, combine one bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and a bag of butterscotch chips. Microwave the chips for 30 second intervals and stir in between until it’s smooth. This first picture is after it’s been in the microwave but not stirred – it’s important you don’t go just by appearance, because the chips will hold their shape until you stir them. If you look closely you can see a few around the edges starting to lose their shape a little.
It’s also very important to make sure there is no water on either the bowl or the spatula you use to stir, because even a drop will make the chocolate seize.
When it’s done the mixture will be nice and smooth.
Pour the frosting over the bars.
Spread it out evenly.
Allow it to set until the chocolate hardens but do not refrigerate. This usually takes about 1-2 hours. Cut them into bars.
And enjoy!
- 1 c light corn syrup
- 1 c sugar
- 1 c peanut butter
- 6 c cornflakes/special K
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 bag butterscotch chips
- Combine the corn syrup and the sugar in a medium sized bowl. Microwave for 3-1/2 minutes stirring about once a minute. Once the mixture comes to a boil (it will turn clear), stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over cornflakes in a large bowl and stir together. Spread into an even layer in a jelly roll pan and press down.
- Combine the chips in a bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until the chips are smooth. Spread over the base.
- Allow the bars to set for about 1-2 hours before cutting into bars.
- Store in an airtight container.
Funny I was at early goose camp…granted I was painting, not hunting, but I don’t remember any Special K bars. You guys must have eaten them on the way…or hid them in your bunk house! I’m hoping they show up with the ducks next week! Mom
That’s what I get for preparing posts early and then changing my mind about what to make! It certainly was hot enough this trip for no bake items!