If you love no-bake desserts that are rich, chewy, and packed with peanut butter and chocolate flavor, you’ll absolutely want to try this Scotcharoos recipe today. This classic Midwestern treat comes together fast, uses simple pantry ingredients, and is always a crowd-pleaser—perfect for parties, potlucks, or an easy sweet fix at home.
This recipe is popular and easy to follow for home cooks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
⭐ Why You’ll Love Scotcharoos
No baking required
Ready in under 30 minutes
Sweet, chewy, and crunchy
Great for kids and adults
Easy to make ahead
Scotcharoos are the perfect mix of crispy, creamy, and chocolatey goodness.
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 16–20 Bars)
For the Base
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup or golden syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
For the Topping
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
🔥 How to Make Scotcharoos (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Prepare the Pan
Line a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) pan with parchment paper
Lightly grease for easy removal
2️⃣ Heat Sugar & Syrup
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and corn syrup
Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to bubble
Do not boil—this keeps the bars soft
3️⃣ Add Peanut Butter
Remove from heat
Stir in peanut butter until smooth and fully combined
4️⃣ Mix in Cereal
Pour mixture over crispy rice cereal in a large bowl
Stir gently until evenly coated
5️⃣ Press Into Pan
Transfer mixture to prepared pan
Press gently with a spatula (don’t pack it too tightly)
6️⃣ Melt the Topping
Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together (microwave in 30-second intervals or use a double boiler)
Stir until smooth
7️⃣ Spread & Set
Spread topping evenly over cereal layer
Let set at room temperature or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes
🍴 Cutting & Serving Tips
Use a sharp knife slightly warmed under hot water
Cut into squares once fully set
Serve at room temperature for best texture
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Scotcharoos
Don’t boil the sugar mixture—it makes bars hard
Use creamy peanut butter for smooth texture
Press gently to keep bars chewy, not dense
Add a pinch of salt on top for sweet-salty balance
🍫 Fun Variations
Dark chocolate Scotcharoos: Use dark chocolate chips
Nut-free: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter
Extra crunch: Add chopped peanuts or pretzels
Holiday style: Add festive sprinkles on top
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overheating the sugar mixture
Pressing the base too firmly
Cutting before fully set
Storing in warm conditions
🫙 Storage Tips
Store in an airtight container
Keep at room temperature for up to 3 days
Refrigerate for longer storage (up to 1 week)
🌟 Final Thoughts
You should definitely try this Scotcharoos recipe today if you want a fast, no-bake dessert that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Chewy, crunchy, and coated in chocolatey goodness, these bars are guaranteed to disappear fast.