Scotcheroo Bars

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This Rice Krispie Scotcheroo Bars recipe is a classic no bake dessert with a chocolate topped krispies. The best peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch combination.

The first time I had a scotcheroo bar was at a church potluck. I mean that is one of the best places to test and try new recipes and foods, right? Although you’ll often find me with a kitchen sink cookie or 7 layer bar in hand, it’s candy that is my true love.

And that’s why I love these Rice Krispie Scotcheroo Bars. They’re not a baked dessert. It is a sweet, lightly crisp candy style bar with amazing flavor. If you’ve never had one, make them, then thank me for introducing them to you. 😊

Why you’ll love this scotcheroo bars recipe:

Just 7 ingredients.
No need to turn on the oven.
Peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch flavors.
Sweet with a chewy, yet still crisp cereal crunch.
Easy chocolate topping.
Perfectly portable for school lunches, picnics and potlucks.

This is the best recipe for scotcheroos because it stays chewy and doesn’t dry out.

The History of the Scotcheroo

Internet credit for this best scotcheroos recipe goes to the Rice Krispies cereal company, the main ingredient in these cereal bars. The recipe, which is like a glorified Rice Krispie treat, was featured on the back of a cereal box in the 1960’s.

Are Scotcheroos a Midwest thing? Yes, this recipe is a popular Midwestern treat…almost as popular as muddy buddies. Most recipes are very similar, only varying in the amount of chocolate topping and/or butter.

How to Make Scotcheroos

Prepare. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper, then spray the paper lightly with cooking spray.
Heat. Place the corn syrup and the sugar in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. You don’t want to let the mixture boil. If you see a sign of the mixture boiling, remove it immediately from the heat.
Mix. Stir in the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add the crispy rice cereal and stir until well coated. Press the mixture lightly into the pan. Don’t press tightly or the bars might be too hard. Just make sure the mix is even.
Melt. In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in 30 second increments, stirring between each interval until the chocolate mixture is smooth.
Top. Add the butter to the chocolate and mix until smooth and even. Spread evenly over cereal mixture.

Look under the recipe card for frequently asked questions.

Scotcheroo Bars Recipe

4.53 from 21 votes

This Rice Krispie Scotcheroos recipe is a classic no bake dessert with a chocolate topped krispies. The best peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch combination.

Servings 20

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Setting Time 30

Total Time 50

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Ingredients

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips
1 tablespoon salted butter room temperature

Instructions

Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper or foil, then spray lightly with cooking spray.
Place the corn syrup and the sugar in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. You don't want to let the mixture boil. If you see a sign of the mixture boiling, remove it immediately from the heat. 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup sugar
Stir the peanut butter into the corn syrup mixture and mix until smooth. 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Add the cereal and stir until well coated. Press the mixture lightly into the pan. Don’t press tightly or the bars might be too hard. Just make sure the mix is even. 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the chocolate mixture is smooth. 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 ½ cups butterscotch chips
Add the butter to the chocolate and mix until smooth and even. 1 tablespoon salted butter
Spread evenly over cereal mixture.
Then lastly, sprinkle with sea salt if you'd like.
Let the chocolate set, then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
To freeze, wrap the scotcheroo bars individually in plastic wrap, then place in the freezer. Pull them out to thaw as you'd like.

Video

Notes

You can also use milk chocolate chips, but the bars will be very sweet.

Whip up a batch of scotcheroos for a birthday party. Sprinkle the top of the bars with colorful sprinkles for a fun treat.

The calories shown are based on the recipe being cut into 20 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 scotcheroo. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 328

Keyword cereal bars, chocolate recipe, kid friendly recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Are scotcheroos gluten free?

If you use gluten free rice krispies, they will be gluten free. Be sure to check the ingredient list on any packaged food, such as the chocolate chips as well as the peanut butter.

Can you freeze scotcheroos?

Yes you can freeze scotcheroos. I recommend freezing them in a single layer in an airtight container. I like to double wrap them so that they stay fresh. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. When you are ready to serve them, allow them to fully defrost before opening the package.

How do you keep scotcheroos soft?

It’s important not to cook the caramel mixture too long. This is the key issue if you end up with hard scotcheroos. Do not let the mixture boil. Remove it from the heat at the first sign of boiling.

I don’t use corn syrup. Can I make these bars without it?

Yes! You can use honey in place of the corn syrup.

Can you make scotcheroos with corn flakes or another cereal?

Yes. You can use corn flakes, rice chex or any other cereal you’d like that you think would match the flavor profile. Use Special K cereal for Special K Bars!