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?
Matt/Flickr
These deceptively simple treats are usually a combination of rice krispies, peanut butter, butterscotch chips and a rich chocolate coating.
Bethany Khan/Flickr
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.
Wendy DeCora/Flickr

Related Stories

Nothing Says Summer In Iowa Like A Trip To Frostee's

Nothing Says Summer In Iowa Like A Trip To Frostee's

 Word On The Street Is That Cafe D'Marie Serves The Best Lunch In Iowa

Word On The Street Is That Cafe D'Marie Serves The Best Lunch In Iowa

 You Can Get A Chicken-Fried Steak In The Drive-Thru At This Quaint Eatery In Iowa

You Can Get A Chicken-Fried Steak In The Drive-Thru At This Quaint Eatery In Iowa
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.
Brand Schu/Google Local
This charming old-school bakery is known for seasonal treats and some of the best homemade pies in Iowa.
American Marketing & Publishing/Google Local
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".
Kathy's Pies and Bakery
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!
Kathy's Pies and Bakery/Facebook

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.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Iowa

Featured Addresses
Kathy's Pies & Bakery, 616 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA