I was out for a run on the trail the other day when I came up behind an older gentleman wearing a shiny blue baseball jacket and ball cap, strolling, as many men his age do, with both hands clasped together behind his back.
He heard me coming (my gasping for air was hard to miss…) and turned to acknowledge me with a kind smile and tip of his cap. I returned the gesture then melted a little inside thinking about what a precious Grandpa he probably is to some cute family.
As I continued on I couldn’t help but think about my own Grandpa, on my Mom’s side. (My Dad’s Dad died before I was born.) He passed away almost 10 years ago, and while I pray for him every night, it had been a long time since I really thought about him.
About how he never left the house without a sharp-looking newsboy cap fitted tightly to his head.
The sound of his laugh when he really got going – ah-TEE-HEE-HEE-HEE! – accompanied by a hearty knee slap. (Holy. Chubby. Child.)
How he called me Kristianna.
How encouraging he was with his grandchildren as we hammered and played in the woodworking shop in his basement when we came to visit.
The sliced banana floating in skim milk that he had every single morning for breakfast.
The way he knew how to fix anything, and everything.
How he waited in line at the Hallmark store every December to get me, his only granddaughter, the collector Barbie ornament he knew I loved to open on Christmas morning.
And “his chair” in the corner of the living room, with a bowl full of butterscotch candies sitting on the end table next to it.
Never in my 19 years of knowing my Grandpa did he ever fill that bowl with anything but rich, sweet, butterscotch candies.
Not peppermint, cherry, cinnamon, or orange. All butterscotch, all the time.
It was this trip down memory lane that had me itching to make a connection with him.
A culinary connection with, what else…
Butterscotch!
Lighter Butterscotch Bars, to be exact! Lighter Butterscotch Bars feature a crumbly oatmeal crust made with less sugar and fat than traditional butterscotch bars, topped with a creamy layer made from fat-free sweetened condensed milk, and a modest amount of sweet butterscotch chips.
Crunchy, chopped pecans dot the top.
Then reserved oatmeal crust goes on streusel-style, before the bars are baked, cooled, sliced, and served.
I know my Grandpa would have adored these. :)
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Lighter Butterscotch Bars
Description
Lighter Butterscotch Bars are made with less sugar and fat than your traditional bars, but are still a gooey, nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 5 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 9oz flour (about 2 cups)
- 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (can use old-fashioned oats)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/4 cups butterscotch chips
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (can use walnuts)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together butter and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk in vanilla and egg, then set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, salt, and baking soda. Add to butter and sugar mixture, then combine with a fork until crumbly.
- Place 3 cups of the oat mixture into the bottom of a non-stick sprayed 9x13" baking dish. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan, then set it, and remaining oat mixture aside.
- Combine sweetened condensed milk, butterscotch chips, and salt together in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour over the crust, then spread to cover evenly. Sprinkle pecans on top, then add remaining oat mixture on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown. Place on a cooling rack and run a knife around the outside edges. Cool completely, then slice and serve.
Notes
From Cooking Light
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
How do I even begin to describe the dense lusciousness of a Lighter Butterscotch Bar?!
Ultra decadent tasting, with a creamy, chewy inside, and a crispy, crunchy outside – all for just 148 calories a bar. Totally unreal.
That signature, caramely, butterscotch flavor takes me right back to sitting on my Grandpa’s lap, unwrapping a candy or two with him. Sigh!
Thanks for letting me reminisce – he really was special!
Allison 05.09.2012
This is SUCH a sweet post! Loved it. Thank you for sharing.
Isn’t it amazing how food can remind us of people and places? My maternal grandma – apple pie and stuffing. My paternal grandma – lemon drops and sugar cookies. Unfortunately, one of my grandpas died before I was born, and the other died when I was very young. My earliest memory, though, is of my grandpa pushing me in a wheelbarrow through a field on a beautiful, sunny day. :)
C. 05.09.2012
I love this story, so sweet!
Jen C 05.09.2012
I don’t normally comment on blogs but this one really hit me. I never knew either of my real grandfathers (I had a step-grandfather) because they both died before I was born but reading this has really made me miss my grandmother. I’m feeling the need to go through her recipes and make one her classics now!
Paula Caitlin 05.09.2012
Wow…just like countless others, your post brought tears to my eyes also!! It was liking reading a page about my own grandpa!! My grandpa was a candymaker (at heart more then anything, really he was a Fire Chief). He loved his butterscotch too, always had a tin of hard candies of it beside his recliner!! To this day we all still miss his candy soooo much…of course him too!! He was known for his Peanut Brittle, Homemade Ice Cream, and my favourite…his Maple Cream, much like a fudge but definitely isn’t if you’ve ever had it!! A few years ago my dad has taken to making the Maple Cream now, and it’s what each of us look forward to the most at Christmas time as we each get our very own tin!!
I’m going to have to try your wonderful looking Butterscotch Bars, and I will do so in honour of both your grandpa and mine!! I’ll have to share the recipe for Maple Cream one day soon too!! 8) Between you and Michelle@Brown Eyed Baker I’m going to end up gaining 20 pounds this year I think!! 8-P
Erika 05.09.2012
This is such a sweet post and it reminds me of my grandpa. He loves caramel candies and is incredibly loyal to those alone :-)
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy 05.09.2012
I love this post. Both of my grandpas passed away this year, so this was a little hard to get through. One of my grandpas had his La-Z-Boy chair and went for walks in the mall, and my other grandpa went to Big Boy or McDonald’s every morning for breakfast. I loved their familiar routines :).
Sharlee@believinginsomething 05.09.2012
I so enjoyed this post. It brought tears to my eyes. I recently lost my grandpa (not even two months ago). I miss his smell, the sound of his voice, and the way he used to say my name. I miss his jokes and the fact that he always thought he was right :) I’d give anything to kiss his forehead one more time. Thanks for sharing such sweet memories!
Kel 05.09.2012
Should there be two listings of salt? I am trying these now – I could not wait!
Michelle (Better with Berries) 05.09.2012
Loved reading through your memories of your grandpa. So sweet :-) Especially playing in the woodshop!
Kristi 05.09.2012
these look delicious!
My grandpa had a farm in Nebraska, we spent every summer there. He used to come in from working in the fields all day sit down & have a few Oreos and a Pepsi, which is my excuse for eating boxes and boxes of Oreos (reminiscing)
thanks for the grandpa post!
Anna 05.09.2012
Your brothers look so much like your grandpa!
Whit 05.09.2012
This was a very sweet post and it definitely made me cry.
During the summer, my grandpa always eats fresh green onions from his garden with his dinners. He keeps them in a cup right next to his plate. Whenever I am slicing green onions for a recipe, that smell reminds me of sitting at their dinner table.
Lauren 05.09.2012
I love when certain foods stir up personal memories or have such deeper meaning. I will forever think of my grammy when I eat strawberry pie. :) This is such a sweet post and those bars look outstanding! Cheers to your grandpa!
Emily 05.09.2012
thanks for such a sweet post! I had to deal with the loss of 2 of my grandparents within the last year, so that was pretty hard. It’s important to remember all the happy memories!!
MH 05.09.2012
My “Papa” had a chair (a recliner) in the corner and a tin of after dinner mints next to it. What is it with grandpas and their chairs and their candies?
Abby 05.09.2012
Aww this post made me tear up a bit, as my Grandpa passed away last Christmas. (I also never met my dad’s dad as he died before I was born.) One of my favorite memories was when he wore a big hoop clip on earring to a family gathering, pretending he got it pierced and was trying to be more hip.
Blog is the New Black 05.09.2012
What a sweet post! And a great recipe to boot!
Trisha 05.09.2012
What a lovely post. I definitely had a few tears. Grandparents are a treasure. I lost my last remaining grandparent in November, my grandma with whom I was closest. I have so many fond memories with both her and my grandpa, who too, ALWAYS wore a hat (or a cap, as he called it). He had a sweet, quiet laugh, spoke few words, but always had the kindest (slightly mischevious) smile. Thanks for sharing, I might sob for a bit now too. ;)
Kel 05.09.2012
Yum! And a sweet note tribute to your grandpa. I am making these soon!
Lori 05.09.2012
Well that post made me cry, thanks for THAT. Beautiful words and memories of your grandpa. I had two very special grandpas, both now gone. How lucky we are to have such great memories of them, and to know that they are always with us.