Isn’t it ironic….
I’m hoping a good many of your know where I am going with this post. 
So Canada played USA Sunday for the gold medal. It was a good game all around, with USA hockey goalie (and my fantasy hockey goalie), Ryan Miller, playing outstanding (he did the whole tournament…I wish I could use the Olympic games for my fantasy hockey stats). With just seconds remaining in the game, USA tie the game, forcing it to go to overtime.
Canada won in overtime. On a goal by none other than….Sidney Crosby. Why yes boys and girls, in the ultimate Karma revenge, the very favorite player of Mr. Parking Lot F-bomb Dropper scored in overtime. Against the very team Mr. Parking Lot F-bomb Dropper was rooting for. Thus, giving Canada the gold medal in Men’s Hockey. Even if you wanted USA to win, if you read this blog, you still probably thought it was kind of a little cool that it happened like that. 
Let us not forget the Canadian women. They brought home the gold as well. Though, not without controversy. Now while I must agree it was probably not the best choice in today’s world of political correctness to go drink beer, champagne, and smoke cigars on the ice, I can’t really say I blame them. Heck, my team celebrates with beer weekly for just surviving the game. I have an extra bonus beer if I stayed upright the whole game. 
So I could see where they could get caught up in the excitement.
I’m glad the Olympics are over now truthfully. NBC coverage was insanely craptastic. They kept featuring only the same people over and over again. I mean, I like Apollo, but my goodness people I don’t need to know every detail of his childhood and other mundane info like that. And don’t even get me started about what events they chose to show.
But mainly I am happy to have to stop the our country is better than yours bullshit that so many of my friends tried to start. When USA beat Canada in the preliminary game I got many a text and email saying ha, ha. And my response to them was simply that the US played a great game and deserved the win. Because they did. But when Canada won gold, we then had to move on to Canada may have won gold in hockey, but the US won the most medals overall. Well, Canada won the most gold overall….and I’ve always been a quality over quantity kind of gal myself. 
Needless to say, I am ready for the pissing matches to be over and done with. Congrats to all of the athletes from all of that participating countries for representing your countries well.
Butterscotch is about as close to gold color as you can get in the baking world (except gold leaf but that stuff freaks me out for some reason). So I broke down and made a recipe that I had been avoiding making for the last couple of years. I marked it right away when I got the Sweet Melissa cookbook but then never made it. Because I knew anything with salted cashews in it would trigger me and I would eat it all. Yep, I was right. These are very similar to a Payday candy bar, minus the chocolate. Though I think a few chocolate chips scattered on top of these would go nicely.
Butterscotch Cashew Bars
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 ¼ tsp salt
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
11 ounces butterscotch chips
¾ cup light corn syrup
1 TBSP plus 1 tsp water
2 cups roasted salted whole cashews
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″x 13″ pan with cooking spray.
Using two sheets of parchment paper, line the pan’s width and length, creating a parchment “sling.” Spray parchment paper with cooking spray.
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar, and salt for 1 to 1 & 1/2 minutes. Decrease mixer speed to low and add the flour. Mix just until combined. Lightly press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Poke holes in the dough with a fork. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the crust is a golden color. Remove to wire rack to cool.
In a heavy saucepan over low heat, stir together butterscotch chips, corn syrup, and water. Stir until mixture comes to a simmer and butterscotch chips are melted. Pour over crust.
Sprinkle cashews over the butterscotch caramel. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. After cooling, remove from pan and use a very sharp knife to cut into bars.
Makes 2 dozen 2-inch bars.
Source:The Sweet Melissa Baking Book by Melissa Murphy
63 Responses
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March 1st, 2010 at 7:32 am
When I heard Canada won the hockey game against the US, I immediately thought of you and Mr F-bomb and giggled a bit! I wonder if he even remembers what he said to you? Anyway, I’m glad the Olympics are over too. I get so tired of seeing the same stuff over and over too.
Yummy looking bars…can’t wait to give them a try.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:36 am
I was eagerly awaiting a post regarding the hockey game lol Karma rocks!!! I love that you kept your cool and that dude got burned and you didn’t even talk smack!!
YAY CANADA!!
Pam, a proud Canadian
March 1st, 2010 at 7:47 am
Like you, I cringe when I hear the “We’re better than you” in terms of country allegiance. C’mon it’s supposed to be goodwill to all countries in the Olympics. Props to you for those gold-medal bars.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:50 am
When I heard Canada won, I thought of you!!
Those bars look so good, I tried cashews for the FIRST time about a year ago….how on earth had I gone my whole life and not had a cashew? They are delicious!!
March 1st, 2010 at 7:52 am
I was actually thinking about your previous post when watching the game yesterday. I was rooting for USA but I was glad that if Canada was going to win it was Crosby to get the OT goal. I have such a crush on him. 22, 23 years old and a Stanley Cup champion AND Olympic gold medalist?! What’s not to crush?!
March 1st, 2010 at 8:02 am
These bars look so good, I love anything cashews.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:09 am
I usually root for the host country or the underdog, so it’s nice when the spoiled rich kid gets knocked down a peg or two.
These bars look deadly, I love cashews.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:33 am
These look great! And congrats on the win! It was a fun game to watch for sure.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:37 am
I was expecting this post this morning, and so happy you got your karma revenge
I’m with you on the coverage, especially Apollo. Anyway, congrats to Canada, your country did a fantastic job hosting, and I’m happy for you and everyone there that it ended with a gold in hockey. These cashew bars look outstanding, and very gold!
March 1st, 2010 at 8:44 am
I watched all the game keeping my fingers crossed. Had to stay awake till 1 in the morning knowing that I had to wake up 4 hours later to watch the game. Hockey hit even the small Island of Malta far far away:)My boyfriend is Canadian though and he was over enjoyed, Canada deserved to win. I thought of you and was waiting for this post
they look so good!!
These bars are surely a great way to celebrate
March 1st, 2010 at 8:49 am
YUM! Butterscotch is one of my all-time favorite flavors!
I must admit, not only did I not watch the hockey game, I didn’t watch a single Olympic event, other than when Curling was on TV in the breakroom at work.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:54 am
I thought of you when I was watching the last of the game yesterday. I was actually rooting for Canada, since to me it seems that hockey is Canada’s sport.
I gave up on NBC’s coverage and found online feeds of the sports that I wanted to watch. It worked best in the end and I didn’t have to listen to annoying commentators.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
I am a true USA’er, but you are right, I thought of you instantly when Canada won. I even told my husband about your “run in”. He is not easily amused, but he was quite tickled with that one.
I agree, I am glad they are over too. I am just ready for routine to return.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:28 am
I am a quality over quantity kind of gal myself. In true Canadian fashion I find many of my friends apologizing for winning but the game was a nail biter and all the athletes no matter what sport are worthy of our admiration. Welcome to Canada but we wanted to win!!!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 9:46 am
woo hoo!!!!!!!
:D:D:D:D:D:D
March 1st, 2010 at 9:55 am
I happy for you that your team won but I still think Sidney shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds him…hahaha.
Now as far as these bars go they look awesome. I have a huge 5lb. tub of cashews that need to be used up. I now have a recipe
Thanks!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:02 am
Peabody, a very apt recipe for the finale of the games, along with a hearty laugh for the outcome. I hope that guy was watching his boy Crosby score for Canada. Some friendly rivalry is fun, but all countries send their best to these events, and all the athletes are there to DO THEIR BEST FOR THEIR COUNTRY. There should not be a putdown of one nation over the other…that’s not what the spirit of the Olympics is about. I hope that all athletes went home richer for the experiences they had at the Games, and brought with them memories and life long friendships to keep with them. We should be proud of them all, and so should they for being great ambassadors for their countries. On that note….I am Canadian and I’m proud!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:10 am
I missed the game because I was at a very belated Christmas celebration, but we watched the closing ceremony when we got home. I had to tell my BF the story of what happened to you and we both giggled at the thought that out there somewhere there was one very angry guy! I have to say I was quite happy for Canada to win the gold in their sport. They deserved it for doing such a great job hosting! I had a feeling you’d be pretty pleased with the outcome of the game!!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:10 am
Well said, as usual.
And yum to the cashew butterscotch bars!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:27 am
Not being a hockey fan (sorry), I would have had no idea who Sidney Crosby was prior to reading your entry from the other week.
So, when Crosby scored the winning goal, your blog was the first thing that came to mind. My second thought was: I hope the F-bomb dropper remembers your conversation with him.
Probably not. Too bad, eh?
March 1st, 2010 at 11:01 am
I hate the “my country is better than yours” crap. Yes, sports is kind of a big deal, but no, winning a medal is not representative of how great or not great the country is. I mean, look at Russia, they do win gold and…. (I’m from there)… enough said.
Both Canada and USA played an amazing game. I was on the edge of my seat, yelling, the entire time.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:10 am
The other day while watching the Olympics I mentioned the Fbomb episode to my husband. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t “absorb” a lot of what I say after 38 years so it totally cracked me up yesterday when he called to me in the kitchen to say that Canada had taken the gold in hockey. What was really good was the twinkle in his eye when he walked into the kitchen and said “and guess who made the winning goal”. Alas, he does listen sometimes and what goes around, comes around, sometimes with vengence! thanks for the ongoing chuckles, you even have me reading curling rules! k
March 1st, 2010 at 11:26 am
I sorry to hear that…
Those bars look fantastic and ever so sinful!
Cheers,
Rosa
March 1st, 2010 at 11:31 am
How ironic is that?
These bars look delcious. I have the cookbook and belong to the baking group. Not sure if these have been made by the group or not!
March 1st, 2010 at 11:51 am
Watching that Sidney Crosby gold medal goal made me think of the F-bomber.
That game was fantastic!
Love the bars-they look scrumptious!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Yes, it was a very exciting game! I’m happy with the outcome, even if Team USA didn’t get the gold. Both teams played exceptionally well. I sure hope Mr. Parking Lot F-Bomb was watching! Think you’ll ever meet up with him on the street again??? That would be pretty hilarious.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
You are hilarious! I immediately thought of you when I heard the results
Woooo Pea!!! 
xo
March 1st, 2010 at 1:19 pm
What a great hockey game!! I went to MSU so we are state fans also – they pulled out a much needed win over Perdue. We went from aahs to atta boys within about two mins. What a great Sunday aft of sport.
I was so glad to see that Ryan got the MVP even if he was on the losing side.
Also hope your F-bomber is choaking on his words.
Those bars look evil – I might have to try them but I’m afraid they would meet the same fate yours did. You’d think that you would learn some self-control after 69 yrs. Guess not when it comes to butterscotch abd cashews-singally or especially in combination.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:20 pm
It’s folks like Mr. Parking Lot F-bomb Dropper that had me rooting for Canada. Congrats to Canada for owning the top of the podium. Quality over quantity indeed!
This, from a US hockey player.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
These look fantastic. And congrats on your win – well deserved
March 1st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Yeah, well Canada owns hockey as far as I’m concerned, but I’ve said that before. Nonetheless, USA fought a good fight. I’m proud of them all.
Now about this butterscotch bar. I am NOT going to make this. I am NOT even going to copy the recipe. Amen. (of course I’ll remember where I saw it.)
March 1st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Congratulations to Canada on the gold! I got chills while watching the medal ceremony and an arena full of people singing the anthem. While I am an American and was pulling for the U.S., I live in Pittsburgh and if we had to lose that game, I couldn’t imagine a better ending – in OT, with Sid scoring the game winner. So happy for him!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I don’t watch hockey and had no clue who sydney crosby was until you mentioned him on your blog. When I heard that Canada had won on espn, I thought about your Parking lot guy and laughed out loud. Too funny!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Yay for Canada!! When I heard the name of Crosby on the TV, I chuckled because I thought about your previous post. These bars look fabulous – I have had the SM baking book for ages and not used it yet.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
My husband thought I had lost my mind when I was laughing hysterically at the result of a hockey game. Thanks for a real mood booster.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:16 pm
So it went something like this: Mom why are you cheering Canada? Because of the parking lot, and Sydney Crosby!
It was a great game to watch whatever the outcome. I sure like this salt and sweet outcome!
March 1st, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I almost couldn’t watch “the game”. What a nail biter! Sometimes karma is kinda cool-thanks for the chuckle! All the athletes deserve congratulations for their very best efforts in every discipline. With the difference between gold and fourth in the 50k cross country being decided by 1.6 seconds and the hockey being decided by one overtime goal…it doesn’t get much closer than that. The medals only go to the best on “that day” but the we got to see the best in the world regardless of whether they got medal or not.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I am a big Crosby fan, and all of my family and friends were giving me %@^%^$ blaming me for the win, because they know he is my favorite player! I rooted for team USA (being a yank and since it was sort of the ‘underdog’ team, early win aside) but was pleased for ‘the kid.’
I hope the NHL commissioner still lets the players participate in the next winter Olympics.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I totally new where you were going with this and I think it is GREAT! Sometimes there is nothing better than a good “In Your Face”! You are such a good sport! These look amazing! YUM!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:18 pm
My first thought was was way to go Canada (I couldn’t watch the game because I thought I might jinx them). My second thought was I would love to see the look on Mr. Parking Lot F-bomb Dropper’s face right at the moment that Sydney Crosby scored the goal.
Got to love karma.
Also got to love this bar.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:31 pm
whoohoo! the tj’s effer got his!
those bars are WONDERFUL — I like your creativity with the connection between gold and butterscotch
I think it’s the salty/sweet thing that gets me too….
March 1st, 2010 at 7:03 pm
very ironic! all I have to say is YEA CANADA!!!!
very proud!
now these bars… drool! saving this one!
March 1st, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Wicked game. I was rooting for Canada through the whole thing. Had to, it was Sid. Hes OUR guy. lol Sid wins gold, he comes back on fire. Orpik wins gold, he comes back and hits some dudes, which he will do anyway. That was my logic. I was very happy to see Canada win while hosting, it makes it more special for them.
Pens play Buffalo tomorrow. Man, the turn around to yell at Miller is too quick for me.
He was the man. HE deserved gold.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Peabody,
I saw this comic and thought of you! Mmmmm…cashews!
http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=250
March 1st, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I can see why you would put this recipe away, because I am worried that bookmarking this will lead to me making them… which will lead to me eating ALL of them.
They look great! I love the thought of a Payday like treat in bar form.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I actually told your story to a few of my coworkers who all roared with laughter. I guess your Trader Joe friend’s wish came true.
As a Canadian watching the USA vs Canada match, I would have to admit that it was really anyone’s game. Ryan Miller is outstanding, an absolutely top-notch goalie. One of our Vancouver Canuck players, Ryan Kesler scored the initial goal. While it is a fluke shot, he played with more grit than we see in regular NHL games.
I’ve never seen a game played so well, so intensely and with so much passion. Just an irony that Crosby shot the overtime goal, assisted by your favorite player, Iginla who was on his knees (that was pretty awesome).
The butternut cashew bars look delicious! I will have to make them this week. YUMMMMMMMM
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:18 am
I was only ok w/ Canada winning b/c three of my fav Blackhawks players were on that team. I was very proud of the one Hawk player on USA too. Both teams had their ups and downs throughout the tournament, so good for both of them.
I’m very happy it’s all over now and I can go on to root for my Hawks once again. All of them. On the same team. Yay.
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 am
I will be trying out this recipe for sure! And I have to say I thought of you when Canada won also! I have never been too intersted in hockey(I’m from Alabama for crying out loud so it’s all about football!)but after watching the game on Sunday…I think I’m hooked! Thanks for the recipe!:)
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
You were the first person I thought of when Sidney Crosby scored that goal in OT on Sunday. Congrats to Canada on a great game. I agree about the NBC coverage. If I see one more segment on crappy Lindsey Vonn, I think I’ll vomit!
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
It was a great game that I still haven’t had time to sit down and watch! Sigh. Would have liked USA to win, but glad they played a great game and if they had to get a silver it was Canada that got gold.
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 am
These look delicious. I’ve never tried baking with cashews but I can imagine they taste wonderful with the butterscotch
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:38 am
While I’m a Team USA fan, I love your story. I love when mean people are also ignorant. It makes it so much easier to laugh the incident off. You can pity them and they don’t even realize they deserve pity. Thanks for sharing!
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 am
Sweet, delicious irony… Perfect with a butterscotch bar on the side (evil laugh
)
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I kind of forgot the Olympics were on. I’m sure I’m not the only one!
My dad would love these. He’s lactose-intolerant so he’s hard to bake for. These would work!
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:29 pm
When Sidney Crosby scored and Canada won I thought of you and your Parking Lot F-Bomb Dropper…
Score Peabody! Too bad NBC didn’t have a scoop on that!
March 4th, 2010 at 2:20 am
The bars look to die for…an the Parking Lot F Bomb Dropper – lol, last laugh is on him. AND he probably doesn’t even know it.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
That Hockey game was epic! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire game and when the US tied it up we were all very very afraid! Glad that F- bomb’s favorite “American Player” scored the winning goal. it was super awesome! (and when they interviewed Crosby after the winning goal he was really humble and admited that he didn’t even see it or really know what happened! True Canadian!)
Butterscotch Cashew bars…YUM I’d lvoe to give this recipe a go!
March 4th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
OMG. I’m just trying to process the beautiful words that create those bars. Butterscotch. Salted. Cashews. *faints*
I need to try one of those bars before I die, That sounds so good I think it could even become my new favorite cookie bar. THANK YOU SO MUCH (:
March 5th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Oh, yeah! I made these this past Memorial Day weekend and wanted to eat them all. Unfortunately, I had to take them to a party and there was none last for a secret home stash. They were so fantastic, though. Thanks for the reminder.
March 6th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
peabody,
not to be nit-picky but as a huge payday lover, I must point out that a payday does not have chocolate.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Loved your original story (even though it was a verbal assault for you -sorry) and love even more this karma end to the tale.
Go team Canada. It was an amazing moment when we scored that winning goal…
March 9th, 2010 at 1:44 am
got a bunch of cashews don’t know what to do with it. now i know.thanks for the inspiration ^_^
May 17th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Oh yum! Made these this morning and they are delightful! Way to go on dropping the pounds too. You look beautiful (but you were before, too!)