Q: I’m having trouble getting butterscotch chips to melt. I tried it on the stove with a homemade double boiler and I tried the microwave. They just dried out.

A: With the butterscotch chips, the problem might be scorching. Anything made with sugar burns easily.

To melt either chocolate or butterscotch morsels in the microwave, use 50 percent power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring well each time. Repeat until the morsels are mostly melted but a few chips remain. Remove from the microwave, let stand about a minute and stir again to completely melt.

On the stove, I’d skip the double boiler and use a small, heavy saucepan. Be patient and use low heat, stirring frequently.