Scotcheroos are a beloved no-bake dessert, iconic for their delightful combination of crispy Rice Krispies cereal, a rich and creamy peanut butter binding, and a smooth, irresistible topping of melted butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate. These bars are a staple at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday tables across the Midwest and beyond, offering a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy in every bite.
Irresistible Scotcheroos: The Ultimate No-Bake Peanut Butter & Butterscotch Bars
Prepare to fall in love with a truly classic, no-bake dessert that promises pure bliss with minimal effort: Scotcheroos. These delectable bars are renowned for their quick preparation time and their universal appeal. It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t adore the harmonious textures and flavors packed into each square. You get that satisfying crunch from the crispy rice cereal, perfectly complemented by a rich, gooey mixture of creamy peanut butter, all crowned with a luxurious layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate and sweet butterscotch chips. This recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s a comforting slice of nostalgia that brings joy to every palate.
A Midwestern No-Bake Dessert Tradition
Scotcheroos hold a special place in the hearts of many, particularly those with roots in the American Midwest. This region is famous for its simple, hearty, and incredibly satisfying recipes, and Scotcheroos fit right in. The beauty of this dessert lies not only in its taste but also in its incredible ease of preparation. There’s no oven required, making it an ideal choice for hot summer days, busy holidays, or when you just need a quick treat without heating up the kitchen. The magic happens right on your stovetop, melting together a few pantry staples into a gooey, flavorful base that transforms humble rice cereal into something extraordinary.
The combination of crispiness from the cereal, the smooth and salty notes of peanut butter, and the sweet, almost caramel-like depth of butterscotch chips, all balanced by chocolate, creates a sensory experience that’s truly unmatched. These bars are more than just a dessert; they are a celebration of straightforward, delicious cooking that brings people together and evokes fond memories. Whether you’re making them for a school bake sale, a holiday party, or simply to treat yourself, Scotcheroos are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Your recipe has become a family favorite! So good! Thank you!
– Jess
Frequently Asked Questions About Scotcheroos
The key to perfectly airy and easy-to-eat Scotcheroos lies in how gently you press the cereal mixture into the baking dish. If you press too hard, the cereal can become overly crushed and dense. While they will still taste delicious, a lighter hand ensures a more pleasant, less compact texture. Aim for a gentle, even spread rather than firm compression.
Using both light brown sugar and granulated white sugar in this recipe adds a wonderful depth of flavor and contributes to the bar’s unique texture. The brown sugar introduces a subtle caramel note and, thanks to its molasses content, helps create a gooier, more irresistible consistency. While you can certainly use all white sugar if that’s all you have on hand, the combination truly elevates the Scotcheroos, setting this recipe apart from others. For the best flavor and texture, we highly recommend sticking to the specified blend.
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips are our preferred choice for balancing the overall sweetness of Scotcheroos, feel free to adapt the recipe to your taste. Milk chocolate can make the topping a bit sweeter, which some people love, while dark chocolate would offer a richer, more intense contrast to the sweet peanut butter and butterscotch. Use what you prefer! If you’re looking to swap out the butterscotch chips, consider peanut butter chips for an enhanced peanut butter flavor, or even white chocolate chips for a different twist. Just ensure the chips are of good quality for the best melting and flavor.
Although often confused, Scotcheroos and Oh Henry Bars are distinctly different no-bake desserts. Traditional Scotcheroos are made with crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies), sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter, creating a lighter, crispy texture. They are characteristically topped with a melted mixture of chocolate and butterscotch chips—the butterscotch being the defining “Scotcheroo” element. Oh Henry Bars, on the other hand, typically feature an oat and sugar base, resulting in a chewier and denser bar. Their base often uses butter, white sugar, and corn syrup to achieve a caramel-like flavor, and they are usually topped with melted chocolate, sometimes with the addition of peanut butter, but rarely butterscotch. Both are delicious, but offer unique textural and flavor experiences.
To maintain their freshness and deliciousness, store any leftover Scotcheroos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature. This makes them an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or a convenient treat to have on hand.
Essential Ingredients for Your Best Scotcheroos
Crafting perfect Scotcheroos requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The quality and type of each ingredient play a role in the final flavor and texture, so here’s a detailed look:
- Rice Krispies cereal: The star of the show! While the original Rice Krispies brand is iconic, feel free to use a store-brand crispy rice cereal. They work just as well and can be a more budget-friendly option without compromising on that essential crunch.
- Light corn syrup: Crucial for binding the bars and providing that signature chewy-gooey texture. It’s important to note that light corn syrup is not the same as high fructose corn syrup. They are distinct products; light corn syrup is primarily glucose and cornstarch and is commonly used in candy making and baking to prevent crystallization and add moisture.
- Creamy peanut butter: The backbone of the Scotcheroos’ flavor and structure. We recommend using creamy, processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) that doesn’t require stirring. Natural peanut butters, especially those that separate, can sometimes alter the texture and consistency of the bars, making them less stable. For the classic Scotcheroos experience, creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter is key.
- Packed light brown sugar: This adds a wonderful, subtle caramel note and contributes to the bars’ moistness and chewiness thanks to its molasses content. As discussed in the FAQ, while you can substitute with all granulated sugar, the brown sugar truly enhances the overall flavor profile. Make sure it’s firmly packed when measuring.
- Granulated sugar: Provides fundamental sweetness and works in conjunction with the brown sugar and corn syrup to create the perfect sticky base.
- Salt: Don’t skip this seemingly small addition! A touch of salt is vital for balancing the intense sweetness of the sugars, peanut butter, and toppings. It enhances all the flavors without making the bars taste salty. It’s a secret weapon for depth.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the peanut butter and chocolate beautifully. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Butterscotch chips: These are what give Scotcheroos their distinctive “scotch” flavor! They melt into a smooth, buttery, and caramel-like topping. If butterscotch isn’t your favorite, you can easily substitute with peanut butter chips for an extra nutty boost, or even use more chocolate chips for a double chocolate effect.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Our preferred choice for the topping, as their balanced sweetness perfectly offsets the richness of the peanut butter and butterscotch. As mentioned in the FAQ, milk chocolate can be used for a sweeter bar, or dark chocolate for a more intense, less sweet finish. Choose a good quality brand for smooth melting and a rich flavor.
How to Make The Best Scotcheroos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making Scotcheroos is surprisingly simple and quick, perfect for even beginner bakers. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a pan of irresistible bars in no time!
First, prepare your baking dish. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set this aside. In a large mixing bowl, measure out 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and set it next to your stove.
Next, gather your wet ingredients for the base. In a medium-sized sauce pot, combine 1 cup of light corn syrup, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of packed light brown sugar, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
The base ingredients ready for melting on the stovetop. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture constantly to ensure all the ingredients melt together smoothly and evenly, preventing anything from sticking or burning to the bottom of the pot. Continue stirring until the mixture is fully melted and well combined, forming a cohesive, gooey sauce.
The peanut butter and sugar mixture melted to a smooth consistency. Immediately remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract quickly. The vanilla adds an essential aromatic depth to the peanut butter base.
Adding vanilla extract to the warm peanut butter mixture. Working quickly while the mixture is still warm and pliable, pour the entire peanut butter mixture into the large bowl containing the Rice Krispies cereal. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula to stir vigorously until every piece of cereal is thoroughly coated. Ensure there are no dry spots.
Mixing the peanut butter base with the crispy rice cereal. Transfer the coated cereal mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Gently press the mixture down to form an even layer. Remember the tip from the FAQ: do not press down too hard, as this will result in overly compact and hard bars. A gentle, even pressure is all that’s needed to set the base.
Gently pressing the cereal mixture into the baking dish. Now for the decadent topping! In a separate medium-sized sauce pot, combine the 11-ounce bag of butterscotch chips and 1½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Chocolate and butterscotch chips ready to be melted for the topping. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Stir continuously and gently as the chips melt. This constant stirring is crucial to prevent the chocolate or butterscotch from seizing or burning, ensuring a silky-smooth, pourable topping. Continue until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
The smooth, melted chocolate and butterscotch topping. Pour the melted chocolate and butterscotch mixture evenly over the cereal base in the baking dish. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently smooth the topping across the entire surface, ensuring it reaches all the edges.
Spreading the glossy topping over the Scotcheroo base. Allow the bars to sit undisturbed for at least 2 hours at room temperature, or until the topping is completely set. For a quicker set, you can refrigerate them for about an hour. Once firm, cut them into desired bar sizes using a sharp knife. For clean cuts, you can warm your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between slices. Serve and enjoy your homemade Scotcheroos!
Perfectly set and cut Scotcheroos, ready to serve.
Expert Tips for Scotcheroo Success
- Measure Accurately: Especially with sugars and corn syrup, precise measurements ensure the correct consistency for your base.
- Don’t Overcook the Base: Keep the heat on medium-low and stir constantly when melting the peanut butter and sugar mixture. You want it just melted and combined, not boiling vigorously, to prevent it from becoming too stiff.
- Work Quickly: Once the peanut butter mixture is off the heat and combined with vanilla, it begins to cool and firm up. Be swift when mixing it with the cereal and pressing it into the pan.
- Gentle Pressing is Key: As mentioned, avoid pressing the cereal mixture too firmly into the dish. A light, even hand will give you perfectly airy and chewy bars, not overly dense ones.
- Continuous Stirring for Topping: When melting the chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir constantly over medium-low heat. This prevents scorching and ensures a smooth, luscious topping.
- Clean Cuts: For beautifully neat squares, use a sharp knife. You can warm the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts to achieve extra clean lines, especially once the topping has fully set.
- Patience for Setting: Allow ample time for the bars to set completely before cutting. Rushing this step can result in a messy topping. Two hours at room temperature or one hour in the refrigerator is ideal.
- Storage: Store Scotcheroos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Variations and Customization Ideas
Scotcheroos are wonderfully adaptable! Here are some ideas to make them your own:
- Nut Butter Swaps: While peanut butter is traditional, you could experiment with almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor profile. Be aware that natural nut butters might alter the texture, so stick to creamy, no-stir varieties if possible.
- Chocolate Choices: As discussed, swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate to suit your preference.
- Topping Twists: Instead of butterscotch chips, try peanut butter chips for an extra peanut butter punch, or omit them entirely for a pure chocolate topping. You could also swirl in a different type of chip (like mint chocolate or white chocolate) for visual appeal and flavor.
- Add-ins: Fold in mini marshmallows with the cereal for an extra chewy element, or sprinkle chopped nuts (like peanuts or pecans) over the wet chocolate topping before it sets.
- Festive Flair: Add holiday-themed sprinkles to the wet chocolate topping for an instant festive touch. Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween!
Craving More No-Bake Delights?
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
- Classic Rice Krispies Treats
- Grandma’s Cornflake Cookies
- Grandma’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Easy Toffee Bars
- Butterfinger Brownies
- Rice Krispies Christmas Wreaths
- Haystack Cookies (No-Bake Butterscotch)
The Best Scotcheroos
Rice Krispies cereal bars with a creamy peanut butter flavor and topped with a smooth butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate topping.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 11 ounce bag butterscotch chips
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
- Add 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a medium-sized sauce pot.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat and stir constantly until fully melted.
- Take off the heat and immediately stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Moving quickly, pour the mixture into the bowl with the Rice Krispies cereal and stir well with a wooden spoon until the cereal is coated.
- Gently press the mixture into the prepared baking dish; do not press down too hard, or the end result will be too condensed. Set aside.
- Add 11 ounce bag butterscotch chips and 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips to a medium-sized sauce pot.
- Place over medium-low heat, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn until it is completely smooth.
- Pour the mixture over top of the cereal and smooth it out.
- Allow the bars to sit for at least 2 hours for the top to set. Cut into bars and serve.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” and “Essential Ingredients” sections above for other substitutions or answers to common questions.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 73g |
Protein: 6g |
Fat: 17g |
Sodium: 310mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 58g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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