Easy Chocolate Scotcharoos Recipe
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Chocolate Scotcharoos are an easy no-bake dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. A crispy and chewy treat made with chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter, these are sure to be a family favorite!
Easy Scotcharoo Bars
If you love peanut butter Rice Krispie treats, you have to try these Easy Chocolate Scotcharoos! With creamy peanut butter, a smooth chocolate butterscotch topping, and a crispy texture, these are irresistible treats.
Scotcharoo bars (also spelled Scotcheroo) are a no-bake recipe that was printed on the side of the Rice Krispies box in the 1960s. A unique twist on classic Rice Krispie treats, which are made with mini marshmallows, this easy treat is made with corn syrup.
The key to this no-bake cookie bar, other than the simple ingredients, is that in the end, they are a perfect combination of chewy and crispy with a sweet topping.
An easy dessert for weeknight dinners, afternoon snacks, or the holiday season, this easy Scotcheroo recipe is going to be a huge hit!
Recipe Notes:
- You can use either a potato masher or your fingers to press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- If you don’t want to use the microwave to melt the chocolate butterscotch mixture, you can use a double boiler on the stove instead.
- I use Karo syrup brand, but you can use any brand of light corn syrup.
- Choose from your favorite peanut butter brands, but make sure that you are using creamy peanut butter for this no-bake treat.
How To Make Easy Chocolate Scotcharoos Recipe
Chocolate Scotcharoos Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Supplies Needed:
8×8 baking dish
Nonstick spray
Large saucepan
Kitchen spoon or wooden spoon
Large mixing bowl
Large microwaveable bowl
Potato masher (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Lightly spray an 8×8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 2: In a large pot, combine your white sugar and light corn syrup and bring them to a boil on medium heat while stirring constantly so that the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: After your corn syrup mixture has reached a boil, remove your pot from the heat and mix in the peanut butter.
Step 4: Scoop 6 cups of crispy rice cereal into a large bowl and pour your peanut butter mixture over top. Mix everything well to combine.
Step 5: Scoop the cereal mixture into your prepared baking pan and press it firmly into the pan.
Step 6: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine your butterscotch chips and milk chocolate chips. Microwave it on 50% power for 4-5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it has melted.
Step 7: Pour your melted chocolate mixture onto the Rice Krispie base and spread it out in an even layer.
Step 8: Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden. Slice with a sharp knife and enjoy!
How To Store Leftover Chocolate Scotcharoos
Store any leftover cereal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze your scotcheroo bars by allowing them to cool fully, cutting them into pieces, and then placing them in a freezer bag in a single layer.
If you have more than one layer, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between them. Freeze for up to 2 months for the best results.
Can You Make Scotcharoos Without Peanut Butter?
Yes! If you have a peanut allergy in the house or you are making these for family gatherings, you may want to make this sweet treat with something other than peanut butter.
SoyNut butter (typically made from roasted soybeans, oil, and salt) is the best option in this case. SoyNut butter melts similarly to how peanut butter melts, so you should have a similar consistency and finished product.
Is This Scotcharoo Recipe Gluten-Free?
Unfortunately, Rice Krispie cereal is not gluten-free. It is made with malt syrup, which contains gluten. And while there used to be gluten-free Rice Krispies, those have been discontinued in the United States. It does appear that you may be able to get them shipped though.
More locally, Millville Crispy Rice is gluten-free and can be purchased at ALDI or One Degree Brown Rice Crisps is gluten-free and can be purchased at various Mariano’s, Whole Foods, and neighborhood grocery stores.
Can I Use A Cereal Other Than Rice Krispies?
There are lots of variations on classic Scotcharoos that you can create. A few simple swaps for the cereal base would be Corn Flakes, Special K cereal, Chex cereal, or Kix.
One of the main reasons that Chex Scotcheroos or Special K bars are among the best alternatives is they don’t have a lot of added sugar.
You want crispy treats that won’t change the flavor of the chocolate peanut butter bars you’re trying to create, so don’t worry about calling them by a different name. This will be a great recipe either way!
Why Are My Scotcheroos Hard?
These are meant to be chewy bars, but on occasion, they end up being a little bit harder than we meant for them to be.
The most common reason that this might happen is if you’ve cooked the corn syrup and sugar mixture too long.
While the hot mixture is on the stove, be sure to stir it constantly. As soon as it has reached a boil, remove it from the heat and add your peanut butter. Do your best not to overcook it.
Are You Looking For More Rice Krispie Treat Desserts? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:
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- Halloween Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats
- Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
- Rice Krispie Treats Ice Cream Bowls
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Easy Chocolate Scotcharoos Recipe
Chocolate Scotcharoos are an easy no-bake dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. A crispy and chewy treat made with chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter, these are sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Lightly spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- In a large pot, combine your granulated sugar and your light corn syrup and bring them to a boil on medium heat while stirring constantly.
- After your sugar and corn syrup reach a boil, remove your pot from the heat and mix in the peanut butter.
- Scoop 6 cups of crispy rice cereal into a large bowl and pour your peanut butter mixture over top. Mix everything well to combine.
- Scoop the cereal mixture into your prepared baking pan and press it firmly into the pan.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine your butterscotch chips and milk chocolate chips. Microwave it on 50% power for 4-5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it has melted.
- Pour your chocolate chip mixture onto the Rice Krispie base and spread it out in an even layer.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 404Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 44gProtein: 7g
This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.