Scotcheroos

These easy Scotcheroos are packed with gooey peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, and a rich chocolate-butterscotch topping that’ll have you hooked after one bite. With an irresistible blend of chewy and crunchy textures, they take ordinary Rice Krispie treats to the next level!

 

Classic Scotcheroo Recipe

These simple Scotcheroos are an easy no-bake treat that’ll bring you right back to your childhood. They come together with a delicious combination of sticky Karo syrup, sugar, crispy rice cereal, and creamy peanut butter to create one seriously addictive treat. You could stop there, and they would be awesome, but they’re taken to a whole new irresistible level with a rich chocolate butterscotch topping!

Whether you’re enjoying them as an afternoon snack, adding them to a lunch box, or serving them at a party, they’re sure to be a hit. They freeze beautifully too! Stash a batch of Scotcheroos in a freezer bag, and you’ll always have a decadent and chewy treat on hand for those last-minute cravings.

If you too are a fan of the chocolate peanut butter flavor combination, try my Peanut Butter Balls and Peanut Butter Lasagna.

What Makes Ours The Best

• Quick and easy dessert – You can make these treats with simple ingredients in under 30 minutes, perfect for when you need a sweet tooth fix fast.
• Customizable – This recipe is a great base, allowing you to mix in your favorite extras like nuts or chocolate chips.

Ingredients

• Light corn syrup – We used Karo syrup but you can use any brand you prefer to add the perfect stickiness to the bars.  
• Granulated sugar – Adds even more sweetness to the mixture. 
• Creamy peanut butter – We used creamy but if you prefer, you can use crunchy peanut butter. 
• Rice Krispies cereal – You can use a generic puffed rice cereal or switch it up and use corn flakes or Special K cereal.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Semi-sweet chips have just the right amount of sweetness, but milk chocolate chips would work as well.
• Butterscotch chips – Pairs with the chocolate chips to create a rich and decadent topping. 

How to Make Classic Scotcheroos

Step One: Cook the Corn Syrup Mixture

• Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the corn syrup and white sugar over medium-high heat, until the sugar dissolves and it’s simmering.

Step Two: Add the Peanut Butter

• Remove the hot corn syrup and sugar mixture heat and whisk in peanut butter until you get a smooth texture. 

Step Three: Fold in the Cereal

• Add the rice krispies to a large bowl, and pour the peanut butter mixture over top.
• Fold the mixture into the cereal, until everything is well coated.
• Press the krispies mixture into the prepared pan.

Step Four: Add the Chocolate Layer, Cool, and Serve

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips with the butterscotch chips and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well in between, until melted.
• Pour this mixture over the rice krispies in the pan, and smooth out to create an even layer of chocolate. 
• Let cool until the melted chocolate layer dries. Cut into small squares and enjoy. 

Suggestions and Alternatives

• Chocolate chips – We used semisweet chocolate chips, but you can use dark chocolate chips or white chocolate instead.
• Toppings – Add a special touch to your scotcheroos by topping them with colorful sprinkles, flaky sea salt, or chocolate shavings. Crushed nuts or toasted coconut can also add great texture and flavor.
• Extracts – For extra flavor, you can add a couple of drops of vanilla extract to the syrup mixture. You can use almond or coconut extract for a unique twist.
• Marshmallows – If you’d like a gooey texture, stir mini marshmallows into the mix before pressing the scotcheroos into the pan.  
• Peanut butter – If you’re looking for a peanut-free option, swap out the peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even cookie butter for a different flavor profile.
• Syrup – Corn syrup is typically used, but you can substitute it with honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup for a slightly different taste and texture.

Storing Scotcheroos

To store scotcheroos, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help them keep their chewy texture while preventing them from drying out. You can stack them with a sheet of wax paper between layers to avoid sticking. Stored this way, they should stay fresh for about a week.

Freezing Scotcheroos

If you’d like to freeze scotcheroos, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This keeps the bars from absorbing any freezer smells and maintains their flavor. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

FAQs

More Easy No Bake Desserts

• Peanut Butter Bars
• Cherry Cheesecake
• Peanut Butter Pie
• Banana Split Cake
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Dessert