Oh, imagine the scene: while everyone else is acting social, you are busy with the dessert table. The sweet and heavenly perfume wafting from the dessert table is more than enough to set your receptors tingling. And just then, you spot it: a pan with thick, oozy brownies almost daring you to indulge in a euphoric chocolate experience. And adjacent to it, a loving sight-mom’s Scotcheroos, that wonderful mix of peanut butter, rice krispies, and sweet butterscotch topping.
The question remains: which do you prefer, truly a very hard choice? You take a moment to think and then (forgive yourself) you end up taking a piece from both. After all, how could one choose between the classic chewy brownie and the nostalgic crunchy Scotcheroo? So one bite, then another, and that’s how you ended up consuming more sinfully delicious calories than was good for you.
And there it is: The birth of the Scotchabrownie.
Well, maybe not a very good-sounding name, but it certainly ribs the two combined desserts. Scotchabrownies retain everything that you love about brownies: the rich, fudgy goodness-with a sprinkle of Scotcheroo’s sweet, crispy, and peanut-buttery crunch. The dessert crossover that will turn your ideas of what a brownie can be on its head, and let us be honest, get real close to putting some pressure on your favorite jeans too!
Let us now proceed to the Scotchabrownies. With utmost respect to all traditional brownies and versed in the ways of the old Scottish cuisine, this dessert amalgamation captures the finest aspects of both and evolves into a new sphere. The foundation of it is a brownie made in an incredibly rich and fudgey texture that is very soft and moist and will probably make it very hard to resist. And it doesn’t stop there. Following that, you get the sweet, peanut butter-infused layer of crispy rice cereal and butterscotch chips that you might find in a Scotcheroo. Finally, the entire thing is topped with a thick, smooth, glossy layer of chocolate, which is just destined to satisfy the worldís most hardened chocoholic.
The first time I made these Scotchabrownies and I was so not entirely sure what to expect but believe me, the results turned out to be dream beyond dreams. Each morsel is all about the perfect balance of soft and chewy and crunchy, enough sweetness along with rich flavor. The brownie part is some very heavy, chocolatey stuff, melts practically in the mouth, and that Scotcheroo topping provides just that crunch that people enjoy. The two together? Made in heaven, this is dessert.
Gotta say: this isn’t all mine; there’s quite a bit of familial history here. You probably know what I mean if you are in the same camp as I, because these desserts have shown up at nearly every family gathering. I remember watching the yearly cycle of birthdays, holidays, and potlucks from my childhood days, looking forward to my mom’s Scotcheroos. Every single time, out came that pan: huge, rectangular, and filled to the brim with chewy peanut buttery goodness. I would dive right in, not caring how many squares I ate.
And then brownie comes. How could anyone resist a rich brownie dense with chocolate, mostly if it’s just out of the oven? The scent draws one in, inhaling before knowing it, half the pan emptied. I did this for years, jumping from one dessert or the other at every gathering, the Scotcheroos pulling me one way and Brownies pulling me the other; two years now, and it still confounds me.
That’s how the Scotchabrownie idea came to mind. Why not throw the two together? To make the best mashup of chewy brownie and crunchy Scotcheroo? Well, the two had been with me intertwined so vastly in mind and also in my family’s traditions, that merging them just made sense for one epic fusion.
The name was just attacked, though. The original version got a somewhat joking name from my daddy, dubbed “Better-than-Crack Brownies,” because, um, they kind of are that addictive. Just thought I’d opt for something a little more family-friendly for blog readers. Thus the Scottish-Australian “Scotchabrownie.” Admittedly the name is a bit cheesy, but it’s an homage to the perfect union of flavors, textures, and memories with these two treats.
If you never make Scotcheroos, you have to try it at least once on its own. It’s very appealing, that combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch. And of course, if one were making brownies, you probably could not go wrong with a thick and fudgy recipe that satisfies a chocolate craving. But if one was looking for something truly to have it all, one goes for the Scotchabrownie.
Let’s face it: It’s not exactly the healthiest choice, but sometimes you have to live life to the full, especially when it comes to desserts. Be it baking for a family gathering or a potluck event, or even just on a self-indulgent day (because we all need some pampering from time to time), these Scotchabrownies would ensure that your sweet tooth has been well catered for.
And if you’re really feeling bold, you can have a little contest with your buddy to see how many Scotchabrownies they can eat in a minute (just kidding, please don’t). But you know what? I’d probably not blame you if you sneaked back to the dessert table for a second helping because, yes, they are that good.
So what’s your favorite party food? Is it old-style desserts you like, or do you go all out for the adventurous stuff? In any event, I feel pretty confident these Scotchabrownies are going to get quite a few fans as well. Just don’t come complaining to me when you find out they’re irresistibly addictive. Enjoy!
