My apologies to Melissa of Lulu the Baker who chose the Whole Orange Poppy Seed Cake for this week's installment of Sweet Melissa Sundays (SMS). It looked fabulous, but I didn't end up having time to make this cake. I definitely plan on trying it later. Make sure you visit Lulu the Baker to check out the cake.
Instead, I am doing a rewind recipe from June, chosen by Pamela of Cookies with Boys: Butterscotch Cashew Bars. Start with a shortbread cookie base, then top with gooey butterscotch caramel and cashews and you've got one sweet treat!
I'm really weird when it comes to nuts. In general, I do not like them. In certain things, however, I will eat them (and actually enjoy them!). Take brownies for instance - I do not like nuts in my brownies. Or pecan pie - I do not like the pecans in pecan pie. Nor do I like the almonds in a mud pie or Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream. Give me something like a snickers bar, though, packed with peanuts, and I will eat it. And although Almond Roca is toffee dipped in chocolate and rolled in almond bits, I still love it. I guess I'm a little weird like that :) Oddly enough, when I read this recipe, I somehow knew that despite my dislike of nuts, that I would like these bars.
These were a breeze to make, and while the butterscotch flavor was there, it wasn't quite as prominent as I had expected it to be. I think that was a good thing, though, because any stronger and the butterscotch flavor would have been too overpowering.
I refrigerated these to help them set, and had no problems cutting them into squares. The butterscotch caramel held together with nice, clean cut edges when it was right out of the fridge, but after coming to room temperature, it started to drip down the sides of each square. Not a problem at all, though a bit messy.
If you want a real treat, I think you could refrigerate these until firm, cut them into really small pieces, and then dip them in some chocolate for some pretty tasty chocolates. Overall, I really enjoyed these and would definitely make them again. If you like nuts and caramel, then you'll like these. If you would like the recipe, you can find it here.
These look so good! Thanks for the pictures and the recipe link!
ReplyDeleteDo NOT apologize!! I'd rather see (and eat, haha) those Butterscotch Cashew Bars anyways!! :-D
ReplyDeleteYour bars look perfect! I love the bars, your pictures are making me miss them. Do try the cake though, it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThese look scrumptious, Jaime. I love the shortbread base. I have that cookbook but I haven't used it once! Why not? Good question. I have to break it out soon.
ReplyDeleteJaime!! You have made me want these all over again! I love your drool-worthy pictures. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the dripping caramel looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteMelt in your mouth. Good eat and sweet treat indeed!
ReplyDeleteThese were indeed delicious. I didn't think I was going to like them but was pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I left you an award on my blog!
Oh these bars are drool worthy. These look so so good. I think I would prefer these to the poppy seed cake :)
ReplyDeletethose look amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteYour butterscotch bars look amazing! You should definitely try the poppy seed cake when you have time; it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh,your pics are always so RIDICULOUSLY delicious looking. I want one of these now!
ReplyDeleteJust when I got over seeing everyone else's butterscotch bars, you come along with a late entry to make me start craving them again AND you suggest the outrageous (and brilliant) idea of dipping them in chocolate. That is so over the top. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, you're killin' me here!!! Wow..they are stunning!
ReplyDeleteMy son will thing he had died and gone to heaven..... wow, these bars look utterly delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteButterscotch is my all time fav flavor..looks scrumptous!
ReplyDeletein my most humble opinions, these are far better than any orange-flavored cake could ever be. and good lord, jaime—your photos are astounding!
ReplyDeleteThese looks so good. I just received a jar of the best Virginia peanuts from a neighbor and have wondered what to do with them and thought of these bars, remembering seeing them in June. Thanks for the photographic reminder. I've got to try these.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful looking dessert! Very stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'm weird about nuts in that I like them ON desserts but not so much IN the dessert. See your not tthe only one. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the your photos with the butterscotch dripping down the sides....serious YUM!
~ingrid
WOW!!! Those look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYour bars are gorgeous - and so are your pictures! I'm weird with nuts too - very picky about what I'll eat them in.
ReplyDeleteThese look incredible!!!
ReplyDeletePS Would you be interested in guest-blogging at CKC? I'd love to have you!