Best Scotcheroos Recipe (Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies Bars)
If you’re looking for an easy, no-bake dessert that everyone absolutely devours, this Scotcheroos recipe is the one you are looking for. Made with crispy rice cereal, creamy peanut butter, and a rich chocolate-butterscotch topping, they’re the perfect combination of crunchy, chewy, and sweet.
Scotcheroos have been a family favorite for many years, for good reason. Not only are they incredibly simple to make, but they also taste like a homemade version of Baby Ruth bars, with that irresistible mix of peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and chocolate in every bite. The whole family will love this cookie bars-my mom, my kids and my grandkids ask for these delicious snack bars. We love that we can eat them with our hands, on the go-no need for a plate or fork.
Why I love this recipe and where I use it:
One of the best things about this recipe is that it comes together in minutes with just a handful of pantry ingredients. There’s no need to turn on the oven, making it perfect for busy days, warm weather, or last-minute desserts.
Whether you’re making these Rice Krispies bars for a potluck, holiday gathering, or just a fun treat for your family, game night, movie night or just dessert after dinner, these Scotcheroos are guaranteed to disappear fast. Once you try them, you’ll see why they’ve stood the test of time as one of the best no-bake dessert bars ever!
These bars have many names and slightly varying ingredients. This one is the version we love best. It has just the right chocolate and butterscotch ratio with the right amount of Rice Krispies and peanut butter. They are hard to resist. These were a favorite for my teens, when my kids were teens (where did the time go?!). They could whip these bars up in no time and have a delicious sweet dessert to eat with their friends.
FAQs For No-Bake Scotcheroos:
Why are my Scotcheroos hard?
They were cooked too long or the sugar mixture got too hot. Heat just until dissolved. I like to remove this from the stove when it first boils. The longer the sugar boils the harder the mixture will become. For example, in making Christmas candies, you boil the sugars for a long time-which turns it into a caramel consistency or a toffee consistency.
Do Scotcheroos need corn syrup?
Yes and No! Traditional recipes use it for texture. Substitutes may change the consistency but, I have used corn syrup and Agave syrup in this recipe, just subbing out the same amount of Karo Corn Syrup for Agave syrup, it still tastes great and had a softer texture.
Can I make Scotcheroos without butterscotch chips?
Yes! You can use all chocolate chips, but the classic flavor will be different. The butterscotch chips give it an irresistible flavor.
Do Scotcheroos need to be refrigerated?
No, they set at room temperature but can be chilled for faster setup. For me, some cookies and even some cake, tastes better to me when it is cold or some cookies I love frozen. You may like these on the colder side or not, give them both a try.
How long do Scotcheroos last?
Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. If they last that long. Mine disappear quickly.
Cook’s Notes:
- Measure out all of your ingredients before you begin.
- Do not boil the sugar mixture-remove from the pan as soon as it begins to boil.
- Stir in the peanut butter as soon as you remove it from the heat.
- Press the Rice Krispies mixture into the buttered 9×13 pan gently-do not pack tightly. Do the same when making Rice Krispies treats.
- Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips slowly to avoid ruining your mixture. If you heat it too fast and get it too hot, it will seize. You will have to throw it out and start over.
Variations for Scotcheroos:
Healthier version: Try honey instead of corn syrup (softer texture)
Chocolate-only topping: Skip butterscotch chips but, I recommend butterscotch chips.
Holiday version: Add sprinkles on top
Salted version: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top-this will cut the sweet-we love sweet and salty 💕!
Why You Will Love This No-Bake Recipe:
Scotcheroos require minimal ingredients.
This recipe is quick and easy to make-no baking.
These cookie bars turn out well with minimal effort.
Baby Ruth Copycat bars feed a crowd.
Tools/Items Needed for Best Scotcheroos Recipe:
Ingredients Needed for Best Scotcheroos Recipe:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup Karo light corn syrup or try Agave syrup, if you prefer
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 16 ounces creamy peanut butter
- 7 ounces chocolate chips
- 7 ounces butterscotch chips
- 1 tsp oil
Instructions Needed for the Best Scotcheroos Recipe:
- Butter or grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
- Measure out all of your ingredients.
- In a large pot, heat the sugar and the corn syrup over medium low heat to dissolve the sugar and just to a boil. Stir continually so it does not burn.
- As soon as the mixture barely boils, remove from the heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until mixture is well combined, smooth and creamy.
- Stir in Rice Krispies until well coated.
- Press mixture lightly into the greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Place chocolate and butterscotch chips in a microwave safe bowl. Pour the oil over the top of the chocolate and butterscotch chips.
- Microwave slowly and stir frequently. When the mixture is melted, smooth, and creamy, spread over the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats.
- Note: go slowly and not on full power-if the chips get too hot the mixture will become thick, grainy and lumpy. It will be ruined and you will have to start over with the chips.
- When the chocolate, butterscotch mixture is smooth and creamy, spread it over the peanut butter Rice Krispies treats.
- Allow time for the chocolate to set up and the cut into 24 bars (or your desired number of bars).
- If you want this to set up more quickly, you can place the baking dish in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Did You Try This Scotcheroos Recipe:
Thank You For Your Support!
Did you try this Scotcheroos Recipe (Copycat Baby Ruth Candy Bar)? We’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let us know if you made any tweaks or have any questions. And if you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it with friends and save it for later! If you try this with a little less granulated sugar, let me know how it worked. I will try that when we make them again-just for fun. Many people are trying to cut down on sugar intake but, still need a treat now and then.
Other No-Bake Dessert Recipes You Will Love: ❤️
Caramel Coated Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Valentine’s Day Cocoa Krispies Kisses
Almond Joy Rice Krispies Treats
Fruity Pebbles Easter Egg Treats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Treats
Best Scotcheroos Recipe (Soft & Chewy No-Bake Bars)
Thick, chewy Scotcheroos made with peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch chips layered over crispy rice cereal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup Karo light corn syrup or Agave syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 16 ounces creamy peanut butter
- 7 ounces chocolate chips
- 7 ounces butterscotch chips
- 1 tsp oil
Instructions
-
Butter or grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
-
Measure out all of your ingredients.
-
In a large pot, heat the sugar and the corn syrup over medium low heat to dissolve the sugar and just to a boil. Stir continually so it does not burn.
-
As soon as the mixture barely boils, remove from the heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until mixture is well combined, smooth and creamy.
-
Stir in Rice Krispies until well coated.
-
Press mixture lightly into the greased 9×13 baking dish.
-
Place chocolate and butterscotch chips in a microwave safe bowl. Pour the oil over the top of the chocolate and butterscotch chips.
-
Microwave slowly and stir frequently. When the mixture is melted, smooth, and creamy, spread over the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats.
-
Note: go slowly and not on full power-if the chips get too hot the mixture will become thick, grainy and lumpy. It will be ruined and you will have to start over with the chips.
-
When the chocolate, butterscotch mixture is smooth and creamy, spread it over the peanut butter Rice Krispies treats.
-
Allow time for the chocolate to set up and the cut into 24 bars (or your desired number of bars).
-
If you want this to set up more quickly, you can place the baking dish in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
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