If you love the perfect balance of sweet, chewy, crunchy, and chocolatey, then Scotcheroos are about to become your new favorite treat! These no-bake bars combine peanut butter, butterscotch, and chocolate with crispy rice cereal for a dangerously addictive dessert. They’re easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are guaranteed to disappear fast!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No-Bake & Easy: No oven required—just mix, melt, and set!
Perfectly Chewy & Crunchy: The combo of peanut butter, crispy cereal, and melted chocolate is a dream.
Great for Any Occasion: A hit at bake sales, parties, and potlucks.
Quick to Make: Ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute treats.
Customizable: Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or add a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch.
Ingredients in Scotcheroos
Crispy Rice Cereal: The base that gives these bars their signature crunch.
Peanut Butter: Adds rich, nutty flavor and keeps everything deliciously chewy.
Sugar: Sweetens the bars while helping bind the ingredients together.
Corn Syrup: Creates the perfect chewy texture and holds everything in place.
Butterscotch Chips: Brings in that classic caramel-like flavor Scotcheroos are known for.
Chocolate Chips: A smooth, creamy topping that makes these bars irresistible.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Prepare the Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Melt Sugar & Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar and corn syrup. Heat until the sugar dissolves, but don’t let it boil.
Add Peanut Butter: Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth and fully combined.
Mix with Cereal: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the crispy rice cereal and stir until evenly coated.
Press into Pan: Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly to create an even layer.
Melt the Toppings: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Spread & Set: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal layer, spreading it evenly. Let it cool until the topping is set.
Slice & Serve: Cut into squares and enjoy!
How to Serve Scotcheroos
With Coffee or Milk: The perfect afternoon snack with a warm drink.
As a Party Treat: Serve them on a dessert tray with other no-bake favorites.
With a Pinch of Sea Salt: Sprinkle a little flaky salt on top for a sweet-and-salty twist.
Additional Tips
Don’t Overheat the Syrup: Boiling it can make the bars too hard. Heat just until the sugar dissolves.
Use Fresh Cereal: Stale cereal can make the bars less crispy.
Let Them Fully Set: For clean cuts, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rice cereal to keep these safe for gluten-sensitive guests.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use honey instead of corn syrup?
A1: Yes, but the texture may be slightly softer.
Q2: How do I store Scotcheroos?
A2: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Q3: Can I freeze these bars?
A3: Absolutely! Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Q4: Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?
A4: Yes! Any nut butter will work, but peanut butter gives the classic taste.
Q5: My bars turned out too hard. What happened?
A5: Overheating the sugar and corn syrup can make them too firm—try heating just until the sugar dissolves.
Q6: Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
A6: Yes! Dark chocolate adds a richer, less sweet flavor.
Q7: How do I make them less sweet?
A7: Use unsweetened peanut butter and dark chocolate for a more balanced taste.
Q8: Can I add nuts or mix-ins?
A8: Definitely! Chopped peanuts, pretzels, or coconut flakes add great texture.
Q9: How do I get clean slices?
A9: Let the bars cool completely and use a sharp knife coated with a bit of cooking spray.
Q10: Do Scotcheroos need to be refrigerated?
A10: No, but if your kitchen is warm, chilling them can help set the chocolate topping faster.
Final Thoughts
Scotcheroos are the ultimate no-bake treat rich, chewy, crunchy, and chocolatey in every bite! Whether you’re making them for a gathering, a bake sale, or just for fun, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy!
Print
Scotcheroos
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These easy no-bake Scotcheroos are packed with the perfect combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch. With a chewy, crispy base and a rich chocolate topping, they’re the ultimate quick treat!
Ingredients
For the Rice Krispies Layer:
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (high quality like Ghirardelli or Guittard)
- 12 oz butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Make the Base: Add the rice cereal to a large mixing bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and corn syrup until it begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth.
- Combine: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated. Press firmly into the prepared pan.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips on low power for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
- Assemble & Cool: Spread the melted chocolate mixture evenly over the cereal layer. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Corn Syrup Alternative: Use honey instead of corn syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Chocolate Quality Matters: Use high-quality chocolate like Ghirardelli, Guittard, Callebaut, or Baker’s chocolate bars for the best melting consistency.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for the best taste.
- Freezing: Freeze Scotcheroos for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 2mg