Scotcheroos are a quick and easy no-bake dessert that needs just six ingredients!
A sweet treat made with Special K cereal, peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup, topped with melted butterscotch and chocolate chips.
This Classic Scotcheroo Recipe Is a Winner Because…
- It’s no bake and only requires 6 simple ingredients!
- Everyone, especially kids, loves these soft and chewy dessert bars.
- Easy to make ahead and perfectly portable for a crowd!
- Sweet and satisfying. Scotcheroos have a delicious combination of sweet and salty flavors in every bite.
Gather Your Ingredients
Cereal Layer: I like using Special K cereal with peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup. It creates a crunchy and flavorful base. No Special K? Any cereal mixture will work, use cornflakes or crispy rice cereal instead!
Chocolate Layer: Butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate chips are melted together for the top layer of Scotcheroos. They create a rich creamy texture that perfectly complements the crunchy bottom layer.
Switch It Up
- No matter the holiday these are the perfect treat. Use cookie cutters to turn them into fun shapes, use food coloring for festive colors, or sprinkle your favorite sprinkles on top while the chocolate layer is still wet.
- Swap the chocolate and butterscotch topping out for any flavor of baking chips. Try peanut butter, white chocolate, caramel, or milk chocolate chips.
How to Make Scotheroos
- In a saucepan, combine the cereal layer ingredients together (full recipe below) and press into the baking dish.
- Mix together the chocolate topping layer and pour overtop the cereal layer.
- Let cool completely, then slice and enjoy.
Save It for Later
You can easily freeze scotcheroos! Cool completely and cut into squares. Place the squares in a single layer or between parchment paper in a container or freezer bag and seal well. They’ll keep in the freezer for a few months (although they never last that long around here)!
Best No-Bake Treats
Did your family love these Scotcheroos? Leave us a rating and a comment below.
Scotcheroos
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 6 cups Special K cereal
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light Karo syrup or light corn syrup
- 1 ⅓ cups creamy peanut butter
For the Topping:
- 1 ½ cups butterscotch chips
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 pan with butter and set aside.
- In the bottom of a large pot, heat sugar and Karo syrup over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Cook just until sugar dissolves or until it starts to barely bubble. Remove from heat, stir in the peanut butter until it melts and the mixture is smooth. Add in the cereal and fold gently until all cereal is evenly coated. Spread into the pan and gently press flat.
- Place the butterscotch and chocolate chips together in a bowl and melt in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Pour over the cereal and spread to the edges. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
More easy desserts to make:
Spiced Pecan Triple Chocolate Bark
Raspberry Brownie Cheesecake Trifle
What can I use instead of Karo syrup as we can’t get it here in Ireland.
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Valerie.
I think it’s just corn syrup.
I made this today and WOW! These bars are delicious. I ate 3! I never eat like that. I will definitely make this again. I read some of the comments and all i can advise is that you CAN make these as you want. I lowered the sugar to 1 cup and added some brown sugar cinnamon, and honey
I’m with you MsMay! I can’t stop at just one.
Gotta add 1/2 stick butter so they don’t get hard!
Just made them for the 1st time!! They look delicious. How should I store them? In fridge?
Store at room temperature in an air tight container (or plastic wrap) for about 5 days. Enjoy Tennille!
i havnt made it but damn she look fine
Delish Poppi!
Easy recipe. I substituted Chex cereal for special K. Came out great!
Bern making Scotcheroos for over 50yrs. I never used Special K, I use Rice Krispies. Will have to try with special k. ! Yes
My Mother rests her soul made these when I was a kid.