I’ve Been To Iowa Plenty Of Times, But I’ve Never Had Scotcheroos

As I travel around the country, I find that Iowa is a place I'm coming back to more and more. Des Moines is an amazing cultural capital, the small towns are filled with international charm, and the Mississippi River cities are among the most beautiful I've ever seen. And naturally, when I'm in the Hawkeye State, I love to dig into some iconic Iowa foods! I've enjoyed loose-meat sandwiches (mmm... Maid-Rite) and massive pork tenderloins. But surprisingly, there's one classic Iowa treat I've never tried - and it's one that Hawkeye State residents have likely been familiar with since their first school bake sale. Why have I never tried Scotcheroos in Iowa? I decided to dig a little into this iconic dessert and figure out why it's managed to stay off my culinary radar for so long.

Just about every Iowa resident has dug into a tray of Scotcheroos at some point - so how have I never tried them?

These deceptively simple treats are usually a combination of rice krispies, peanut butter, butterscotch chips and a rich chocolate coating.

But as delicious as they are, the ease of making them might have kept them off my radar - they're usually a homemade treat served at cookouts and bake sales, rather than something bought at a store or served at a restaurant.

But for every homemade treat, there has to be an upscale version made by chefs! And my search led me to Kathy's Pies and Bakery in Cedar Rapids.

This charming old-school bakery is known for seasonal treats and some of the best homemade pies in Iowa.

It's also one of the only places that serves bakery-made Scotcheroos - but don't search for that name. Here they're called "PB Scotchies".

The name is different, but the delicious-sounding ingredients are the same. It might just be time to find out if these famous treats live up to the hype the next time I'm in town!

Now that I know the best place for scotcheroos in Iowa, I'm excited to hear from you guys - when did you first try this iconic Iowa dessert? What's your favorite bakery that serves them? Let us know in the comments section! You can see the full offerings at Kathy's Pies on the website, and follow the Facebook page of this Cedar Rapids bakery for details on its latest specials. I'll be sure to cross this Iowa classic off my culinary bucket list the next time I visit, and while I'm in the area, I'm going to visit The Map Room - a unique adventure-themed bistro. For accommodations, I'm excited to check into The Literary Hotel, a gorgeous boutique hotel in nearby Solon.