If you love chewy, crispy, and chocolatey desserts with a hint of peanut butter, then you need to try this scotcharoos recipe today! A classic Midwestern treat, scotcharoos are no-bake bars made with Rice Krispies cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch chips. They’re easy to make, require just a handful of ingredients, and are perfect for bake sales, parties, or a quick family dessert.
Why You’ll Love Scotcharoos 🍫🥜
Quick & Easy – Ready in less than 30 minutes.
No-Bake Dessert – No oven needed, just a stovetop and microwave.
Perfect Balance – Chewy, crispy base topped with a smooth chocolate-butterscotch layer.
Crowd Favorite – Everyone loves these sweet, nostalgic bars.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make scotcharoos at home, gather these simple ingredients:
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Base
In a saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup.
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil.
Remove from heat immediately and stir in peanut butter until smooth.
Step 3: Mix in the Cereal
Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Rice Krispies cereal in a large bowl.
Stir quickly until the cereal is fully coated.
Press mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Melt the Topping
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Spread evenly over the cereal base.
Step 5: Chill & Serve
Let bars cool at room temperature or refrigerate until the topping sets.
Cut into squares and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Scotcharoos 💡
Don’t Overheat the Syrup – Boiling too long makes the bars hard instead of chewy.
Press Gently – Don’t pack the cereal base too tightly, or it will be dense.
Customize Flavors – Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or add a sprinkle of sea salt.
Storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Fun Variations 🎉
Peanut-Free Scotcharoos – Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter.
Holiday Scotcharoos – Add festive sprinkles on top before the chocolate sets.
Scotcharoo Bites – Roll into bite-sized balls instead of pressing into a pan.
Extra Gooey – Add an extra ¼ cup peanut butter for a richer base.
Serving Ideas 🍽️
Scotcharoos are versatile and can be enjoyed:
At bake sales or school events
As a potluck dessert
Alongside coffee or hot cocoa
As an after-school treat
Conclusion
Sweet, chewy, and full of nostalgic flavor, these bars are a treat everyone should try at least once. With just six ingredients and no oven required, you can whip up a batch in under half an hour.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your cereal, peanut butter, and chocolate, and try this scotcharoos recipe today! It’s sure to become one of your favorite go-to desserts. 🍫🥜✨