Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Ep 181: Iowan Scotcheroos Recipe! A Monster in Mt. Pleasant Part 1

 



IOWAN SCOTCHEROOS RECIPE!



Darvin Graham's Scotcheroos from the Des Moines Register 


Ingredients

Base: 
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup white granulated pure cane sugar
1⅓ cups light corn syrup
1⅓ cups creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping: 

1¾ cups Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
1¾ cups butterscotch chips (store brand)
1 cup Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao baking chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (from the same store brand as above)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (divided — ½ tbsp for each bowl of chips)
Instructions


Setting time: Overnight preferred, or at least 2 hours refrigerated

Step 1: Toast the Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread Rice Krispies evenly across a baking sheet and toast for 11 minutes, or until medium golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.


Step 2: Prepare the syrup base

Measure all base ingredients before turning on the stove. In a large saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over low to medium heat. Stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Do NOT let it boil. At the first sign of bubbling, remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Return briefly to low heat if needed.

Once fully smooth and combined, pour over toasted Rice Krispies and fold until fully coated. It may look dry at first — trust the process.

Step 3: Set the base

Press the mixture gently into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Avoid packing too tightly. Use the back of a spatula to create shallow divots across the top to allow room for the topping to settle in.

Step 4: Melt the toppings

In two separate microwave-safe bowls: 

Bowl 1 (light topping): 1¾ cups milk chocolate chips + 1¾ cups butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Bowl 2 (dark topping): 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips + 1 cup butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Microwave each in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Avoid overheating.


Step 5: Assemble and marble the topping

Spread the light topping evenly over the base. Tap the pan firmly on the counter to release air and help topping settle into the divots. Drop spoonfuls of the dark topping across the surface. Use the back of a spoon to gently swirl into a marbled effect. Do not over-mix.

For a final touch, drag a butter knife in diagonal lines, opposite your swirl direction, every 2 inches.

Step 6: Let the bars set

Let bars sit at room temperature overnight or refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Once firm, cut into squares and serve.



Recipe for award-winning Scotcheroos 

Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) pan, approx. 18 bars
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: About 20 minutes, plus cooling time


Equipment 

9x13-inch baking pan
Large saucepan
Large heatproof mixing bowl
Spatula
Baking sheet
2 microwave-safe bowls
Measuring cups & spoons, including 2 large metal spoons
Butter knife



  • CHATEAU ST. MICHLLE GERWURZTRAMINER, Columbia Valley, Washington State




  • Chateau St Michelle Wine 2024 from WineMadeEasy.com  for $12.99! 




  • Ep 181, 183, 185, & 187: A Monster in Mount Pleasant: A Story of Murders and Justice by CJ Williams

     



    A MONSTER IN MOUNT PLEASANT BY

     CJ WILLIAMS

    Episodes 181, 183, 185 and 187!


     ~Listen to Jill's trilogy! ~


    Buy A Monster in Mount Pleasant on AMAZON 

    and Genius Books 

    Map Iowa and Indiana

    Map 2: Location of Mount Pleasant, Iowa


    MUSIC OF THE TIMES!


    The Beatles Greatest Hits 2025 (1962-1970)

    Mama's and the Papa's (1965-1968)

     Hot Child in the City by Nick Gilders (1978 hit song!)

    Soundtrack from Grease (1978)! 

    Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic 
    (Monte Seager's the music cassette found in the Iris Motel room #26)



    Monte Seager Yearbook Photo 1978 

    The Beavers Home 

    Clementine and Max Beavers

    Karol Beavers 1975




    De Moines Register, Nov. 3, 1978



    Crime Scene: Beavers Kitchen - October 30, 1978


    Des Moines Tribune, Oct. 31, 1978






    Sue Wheelock and prom date, 1965

    Sue Wheelock 

    April 16, 1979


    Monte Seager Mug Shot







    Monte Seager Mug Shot 


    Monte's first prison: Iowa State Penitentiary 

    The new Iowa State Penitentiary 

    Find-a-Grave- Clemetine A Beavers and Karol E. Beavers

    Find-A-Grave Susan Jane Wheelock, 1979



    The Gazette Nov 7, 1978

    The Gazette April 12, 1983


    Weather in Mt Pleasant, Iowa October 28-31, 1978


    SOURCES

    Ben Kiefer and Samantha McIntosh, Judge pens book about the murderer in his hometown, 'A Monster in Mount Pleasant', Iowa Public Radio, Oct 28, 2025.

    CJ Williams, A Monster in Mount Pleasant: A Story of Murders and Justice, Feb 18, 2025.


    Courtney Crowder, This recipe makes the best Scotcheroos in Iowa, as awarded by State Fair Judges, Des Moines Register, Sept 24, 2025.

    Elle Wignall, Iowans are fierce about our favorite foods. Here are 8 famously Iowan dishes to try, The Des Moines Register.com, Dec. 23, 2021.

    Henry County, Iowa, Weather Data, October 20, 1978, Detroit Free Press, July 11, 2026.

    Kenny Hall, Watering Wee: How to Water Cannabis and When to Do It Right, Sensiweed.com, March 25, 2026.

    Max Beaver Obituary, Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory, 2016.

    Nick Gilder, HOT CHILD IN THE CITY, YouTube.com, June 2026. 

    Seager Guilty, Southeast Iowa Union, Sept. 20, 2018.

    October 28-31, 1978, Digital Archive of Southeast Iowa, Community/History Archive.com, July 7, 2026. 

    State vs Seager, Justia US Law.com, Nov. 23, 1983.

    State vs Seager, Case law, FindLaw.com, 1997.



    WINE, DINE & DEATH- A Little Theatre Fundraiser in Walla Walla Washington ~ Oct 10, 2026!

     

    OCTOBER 10, 2026 - FUNDRAISER FOR THE LITTLE THEATER OF WALLA WALLA






    Jill's Donation: A merch bag: MSBC tote, coasters, bookmarks, 6 books, wine cups and bookshelf lantern decor!  

    ~You like? BID! The auction is virtual too!~



    I am delighted to be participating in the 2026 Wine, Dine, and Death Fundraiser in Walla Walla, Washington, the evening of October 10th. Wine, Dine & Death is The Little Theatre of Walla Walla's signature annual fundraising event featuring a silent auction, a seated dinner, local wine, and an interactive murder-mystery performance starring our talented actors. This entertaining evening supports our year-round programming and community outreach efforts.
    My merch specialist, Jan, has created a merch bag that will be auctioned off during the live and virtual silent auction. Imagine all the true crime goodies that we've included! YES, signed books are included! 

    FEEL FREE TO PARTICIPATE FROM AFAR! 

    I AM! IT IS ALSO VIRTUAL!


    "Round Three awaits, and the plot has thickened nicely.

    On Saturday, October 10, 2026, The Little Theatre of Walla Walla once again transforms Whitman’s Reid Center into a stage where secrets breathe and suspects sip cabernet with suspicious enthusiasm.

    This year, the mystery turns a literary page. Think towering tales, notorious authors, and threads of Walla Walla history stitched into the storyline like a well-placed clue. The setting remains as charming as ever. The crime is entirely new.

    Your evening includes:

    • Exceptional local wines that swirl with character
    • A gourmet multi-course dinner worthy of a dramatic monologue
    • Two rounds of silent auction intrigue
    • A paddle raise where generosity takes center stage

    It is elegance with an alibi. Suspense with a sommelier. A night where every bid fuels the spotlight and every glass poured supports the stories still waiting to be told.

    Mark your calendar. Polish your detective skills. And prepare for an evening where the only thing richer than the wine is the plot."


    ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE LITTLE THEATER OF WALLA WALLA!

    The Little Theatre of Walla Walla has brought live theatre to our valley for over 80 years, enriching generations of audiences and volunteers. Each year, we produce four main stage shows, offer summer children’s programming, and host workshops that foster creativity and community for all ages and experience levels.

    In addition to our own productions, The Little Theatre proudly supports the larger arts ecosystem throughout the Walla Walla Valley. We regularly share equipment, props, costumes, and volunteer support with fellow schools and organizations—including Whitman College, Walla Walla University, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Wa-Hi, Sweet Adelines, Choral Society, College Place High School, Walla Walla Adventist School, and the Walla Walla Summer Theater. This spirit of collaboration ensures that creativity can flourish across our region and reinforces our commitment to being a true community resource.

    Thanks to the generous support of partners like you, our theatre continues to thrive as a cultural cornerstone in Walla Walla.


    https://www.ltww.org/wine-dine-death-fundraiser

    Tickets & Pricing


    How much do tickets cost?

    Individual tickets: $125.00 each


    Full tables (8 guests): $1,000.00 each

    Where can I purchase tickets? Tickets can be purchased at www.ltww.org .


    What's included with my ticket? Your ticket includes dinner, wine service, participation in the silent auction, and the interactive murder mystery performance.