This is the BEST Scotcheroos recipe! A long-time favorite for many.
No-bake peanut butter Rice Krispie bars with rich chocolate and butterscotch topping everyone will love.
what makes this Scotcheroos recipe different?
Scotcheroos are a classic recipe. You’ll find the same version on countless food blogs. But I make just a few small tweaks to make these the BEST Scotcheroos recipe ever:
- Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Provide detailed tips and tricks.
- Increase the amount of chocolate and butterscotch chips used.
- Ideas for twists on Scotcheroos
what are Scotcheroos?
Scotcheroos are similar to a peanut butter Rice Krispie treat, but instead of butter and marshmallows, you use light corn syrup and sugar. Then, top with a mixture of melted chocolate and butterscotch.
There are so many easy Rice Krispie treat variations!
Scotcheroo twist idea:
Prepare our honey peanut butter Rice Krispie Treats, very similar to the Scotcheroo recipe, and top with melted chocolate.
Why are they called Scotcheroos?
The original recipe was printed on Rice Krispies cereal boxes in post-World War II America. The name comes from one of the ingredients: Butterscotch. They are a potluck classic!
how to make scotcheroos
you will need:
RICE KRIPSIES CEREAL
You’ll need 6 cups of crispy rice cereal.
Scotcheroos twist idea
For another twist on Scotcheroos, try using Cocoa Rice Krispies.
LIGHT CORN SYRUP
You’ll need 1 cup of light corn syrup. My preference is the Karo brand.
TIP: Spray your measuring cup with cooking spray first so the light corn syrup is removed with ease.
SUGAR
You’ll also need 1 cup of granulated sugar.
SALT
Add a pinch of table salt to balance the sweetness of Scotcheroos bars.
PEANUT BUTTER
The recipe calls for 2/3 cups peanut butter.
My recommendation is for a no-need-to-stir peanut butter that has salt as one of its ingredients. If you do use a natural peanut butter with separated oil, stir very well first.
CHOCOLATE TOPPING
Scotcheroo topping is a combination of melted chocolate and butterscotch. I recommend Nestle-brand semi-sweet morsels and butterscotch morsels. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of each.
Scotcheroos twist:
Melt the morsels separately and swirl the chocolate and butterscotch topping.
tools you’ll need
- Deep saucepan (because your sugars will rise when boiling)
- 9 x 13 baking pan
- cooking spray
video:
let’s make Scotcheroos
step one: prepare
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray, and add the 6 cups Rice Krispies. Set aside.
Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside.
step two: boil
Place the 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of light corn syrup in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until you have a paste.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil (the mixture will bubble up, which is why a deep saucepan is useful). Boil for a MAX of ONE MINUTE.
Stir the mixture well.
Stir in a pinch of salt and 2/3 cup peanut butter.
step three: mix it up
Fold the mixture over the cereal and carefully stir until evenly mixed. Transfer to the baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
Let set about an hour before topping with chocolate.
step four: the topping
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place 1 1/2 cups each semi-sweet and butterscotch morsels.
Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Let sit in the microwave for 1 minute.
Stir very well, using the residual heat to help melt the morsels. If needed, add additional microwave time for 15 seconds at 70 percent power. Stir until very smooth.
Pour over the Scotcheroos and spread with a spatula.
Let set very well, 1 to 2 hours.
Cut into 20 or 24 bars.
Why are my Scotcheroos hard?
If your Scotcheroos are hard, you likely boiled the sugar and light corn syrup mixture too long. The mixture may boil, but no more than 1 minute.
How to store Scotheroos
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Want to freeze a batch? Store the entire batch or individual squares. I prefer to wrap in plastic wrap and then wrap in foil or place in a freezer-safe Ziplock bag. Store up to three months. Let thaw IN the wrapping.
Scotcheroos printable recipe
Scotcheroos
Equipment
- Deep saucepan
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan
- non-stick cooking spray (canola oil suggested)
- Medium-large microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup (karo brand recommended)
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (No-stir-needed WITH salt recommended. If separated, stir very well.)
- pinch salt
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet morsels (nestle recommended)
- 1 1/2 cups butterscotch morsels (nestle recommended)
Instructions
- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray, and add the Rice Krispies. Set aside.
- Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside.
- Place the sugar and light corn syrup in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until you have a paste. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil (the mixture will bubble up, which is why a deep saucepan is useful). Boil for a MAX of ONE MINUTE.
- Stir the mixture well. Stir in a pinch of salt and peanut butter.
- Fold the mixture over the cereal and carefully stir until evenly mixed. Transfer to the baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Let set about an hour before topping with chocolate.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place semi-sweet and butterscotch morsels.
- Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Let sit in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir very well, using the residual heat to help melt the morsels. If needed, add additional microwave time for 15 seconds at 70 percent power. Stir until very smooth.
- Pour over the Scotcheroos and spread with a spatula. Let set very well, 1 to 2 hours.
- Cut into 20 or 24 bars.
Notes
- Spray the measuring cup with non-stick spray before adding the light corn syrup.
- Also spray the bowl for the Rice Krispies and the baking pan
- Peanut butter (with salt) that does not need stirring is recommended.
- Use a deep saucepan to boil the sugars.
other bars you might like:
- chocolate chip granola bars
- banana split bars
- copycat Nestle Crunch bars
- rainbow swirl cheesecake bars
more Rice Krispie Treat recipes
butterscotch rice crispy treats
chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats
Did you make this recipe and think it was great or do have any questions? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe using stars (5 stars is the best!) 
We love creating easy Rice Krispie Treats recipes to share with you and hope you find our tips and instructions helpful. ___ - 
Charlene Lane
I’ve tried lots of Scotcheroos in my time. This is definitely one of the best recipes I’ve tried.