Scotcharoos – Chewy, Crunchy, Chocolatey Bliss

Scotcharoos are a no-bake dessert bar that combines peanut butter, chocolate, butterscotch, and crispy rice cereal into one irresistible treat. They’re chewy, crunchy, sweet, and perfectly gooey with a smooth chocolate-butterscotch topping. Simple to make and always a hit, these bars are great for potlucks, bake sales, or whenever you need a quick sweet fix that disappears fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No-Bake Dessert: Quick, easy, and oven-free.
Crowd Favorite: Peanut butter + chocolate + butterscotch = guaranteed hit.
Chewy & Crunchy: Perfect texture combo in every bite.
Portable Treat: Great for parties, road trips, or school lunches.

Ingredients

• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Make the Base
In a large saucepan, heat corn syrup and sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to bubble. Remove from heat immediately (do not let it boil too long, or the bars will be hard).

3. Add Peanut Butter
Stir in peanut butter until smooth and fully incorporated.

4. Mix with Cereal
Quickly fold in crispy rice cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish.

5. Make the Topping
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

6. Spread & Chill
Pour melted topping over the cereal base and spread evenly. Refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until set.

7. Slice & Serve
Cut into bars and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fat: 10g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 1g

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overheat the Syrup: Remove from heat as soon as it bubbles to keep bars chewy.
• Line the Pan: Makes cleanup and cutting much easier.
• Press Firmly: Pack the cereal mixture tightly so bars hold together well.
• Customize: Swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter, or try dark chocolate for a richer topping.

Why This Recipe Works

The balance of chewy cereal base with a rich chocolate-butterscotch topping makes Scotcharoos irresistible. They require no baking, use simple pantry staples, and can be whipped up in under 20 minutes of hands-on time. The combination of flavors and textures ensures they’re always a favorite.

Scotcharoos are the ultimate no-bake dessert bar—chewy, crunchy, sweet, and chocolatey with a hint of peanut butter goodness. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking as a midnight snack, these bars are a timeless classic that will keep everyone coming back for seconds.