Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies

There are cookies that are good, and then there are cookies that make everyone in the kitchen fall silent mid-bite. These Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies are absolutely the second kind. Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies rolled in crispy Rice Krispies, then topped with a glossy swirl of melted dark chocolate, butterscotch, and a touch of peanut butter. They are indulgent, fun, nostalgic, and just so satisfying.

If you grew up loving Scotcheroos (those classic cereal bars made with peanut butter, cereal, chocolate, and butterscotch on top), this is like their bakery cookie cousin. Think chewy centers, lightly crisp edges, and that perfect mix of rich peanut butter and caramelized butterscotch sweetness. Every bite has that candy-meets-cookie kind of magic.

Trust me, these cookies are the recipe you keep taped to the inside of a cupboard. The one you pull out for bake sales, holidays, late night cravings, or those days when you want to treat the people you love to something special.

Why You’ll Love Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies

This recipe isn’t just adorable or nostalgic. It delivers on texture and flavor, and it works for so many occasions. Here’s what makes these cookies a keeper:

Versatile: Make them for parties, cookie trays, or just because your afternoon cup of coffee deserves a friend. They travel well and hold beautifully, so they are perfect for gifting or sharing.

Budget-Friendly: Nothing fancy needed here. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry. But once they come together, they feel bakery-level.

Quick and Easy: No chilling required, no complicated steps, no stress. The dough comes together in minutes. Bake, top, enjoy.

Customizable: Want them extra chewy? Bake a little less. Want more crunch? Add extra cereal. Prefer milk chocolate over dark? You get to choose.

Crowd-Pleasing: Kids love them. Adults love them. People who don’t even like dessert somehow end up eating two. They’re that kind of cookie.

Recipe Origin

These cookies were inspired by classic Scotcheroo bars, which have been a beloved Midwestern recipe for ages. Traditionally, Scotcheroos are made with Rice Krispies cereal bound together with warm peanut butter and sugar, then topped with chocolate and butterscotch. This cookie version takes everything amazing about the original and transforms it into a soft, chewy, bakery-style cookie you can pick up with your hands and sink your teeth into. The chocolate and butterscotch topping melts into the cookie slightly, giving you that same nostalgic flavor, but with a warm and freshly baked twist.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate
Cooling rack

Ingredients in Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies

Here’s the magic. These cookies are built around texture. Soft. Chewy. Crispy. Gooey. Every ingredient helps create that balance. (Note: the full ingredients list including measurements is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Butter

Softened so it blends smoothly and helps create tender, chewy cookie centers.

Peanut Butter

Creamy peanut butter brings rich flavor and moisture. It’s the heart and soul of these cookies.

Granulated Sugar

Adds sweetness and helps the cookies spread just enough in the oven.

Brown Sugar

Gives the cookies that addictive chew and warm caramel depth.

Egg + Egg Yolk

The extra yolk adds richness and keeps the cookies soft and tender.

Vanilla Extract

Adds a comforting bakery warmth in the background.

All-Purpose Flour

The structure that holds everything together while staying soft.

Baking Soda

Helps the cookies rise and stay airy.

Kosher Salt

Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.

Rice Krispies Cereal

Mixed into the dough and used for coating, giving the perfect crispy texture contrast.

Dark Chocolate Chips

Deep and rich to balance the sweetness.

Butterscotch Chips

Sweet and buttery. The flavor that makes these cookies Scotcheroos and not just peanut butter cookies.

Peanut Butter (for the topping)

Helps the topping melt smoothly and swirl beautifully.

Instructions

Let’s walk through the steps to create these chewy peanut butter dream cookies.

Mix the Cookie Dough

Cream the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy and smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined. Gently fold in the Rice Krispies, being careful not to crush them too much.

Roll and Coat

Scoop the dough into balls. Roll each ball in extra Rice Krispies and granulated sugar. This creates that signature crispy edge and sparkle.

Bake

Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until just set, with soft centers. You want to pull them out before they look completely done to keep that chewy texture. Let them cool slightly so they settle and hold shape.

Make the Topping

In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, combine the dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter. Heat slowly until melted, stirring until smooth and glossy.

Top the Cookies

Once the cookies are cooled slightly but still warm, spoon or drizzle the chocolate butterscotch mixture over each one. Let it set so it becomes silky and just firm enough to bite into cleanly.

Serve

Try not to eat three at once. Or do. No judgment.

Nutrition Facts

Servings:
Calories per serving:
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:

How to Serve Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies

These cookies are delightful at room temperature, but they are also amazing slightly warm. A few pairing ideas:

Cold Milk: Classic and perfect.
Coffee or Espresso: The bitterness balances the sweetness beautifully.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Turn one cookie into the most perfect little dessert moment.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container. They stay soft and chewy for several days.
The topping will stay set, but if it softens, just pop the cookies in the fridge for a few minutes.
These cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze baked cookies or freeze the dough balls and bake later.

Variations to Try

Swap dark chocolate for milk chocolate if you prefer sweeter cookies.
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for a salty-sweet edge.
Use crunchy peanut butter for more texture.
Drizzle white chocolate for a pretty finishing touch.
Replace some of the Rice Krispies with crushed pretzels for a salty crunch.

Additional Tips

Do not overbake. The cookies should look slightly underdone when you remove them.
Use room temperature butter for best mixing.
Fold the cereal in gently so it doesn’t become crushed.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use natural peanut butter?
A1: It can work, but the texture will be less stable. Creamy processed peanut butter gives the best result.

Q2: Can I skip the topping?
A2: Technically yes, but the topping is the Scotcheroo magic, so it is worth making.

Q3: Can I use another cereal?
A3: Crisp rice cereal works best, but Corn Flakes or Special K can work in a pinch.

Q4: Can I double the recipe?
A4: Absolutely, it doubles beautifully.

Q5: How do I keep them soft?
A5: Store with a small piece of bread in the container. The cookies will absorb the moisture and stay soft.

Q6: Do I need to chill the dough?
A6: No chilling necessary, which is part of why this recipe is so quick.

Q7: Can kids help make these?
A7: Yes, rolling dough in cereal is the perfect kid baking task.

Q8: Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
A8: Yes, but it will change the texture slightly. Still delicious though.

Q9: How long do they last?
A9: About 4 to 5 days in a sealed container.

Q10: Can I freeze the dough?
A10: Yes. Roll into balls and freeze. Bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes.

Conclusion

These Chewy Peanut Butter Scotcheroo Cookies are the perfect mix of nostalgic comfort and bakery-style indulgence. They are soft and chewy, a little crispy, and topped with that signature chocolate butterscotch swirl that feels familiar in all the best ways. Whether you are baking for loved ones, sharing with friends, or simply treating yourself, these cookies bring joy to the table every single time.

Make a batch. Share them. Then watch how fast they disappear.

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