Lunchroom-Style Scotcheroos Recipe
Peanut Butter and Rice Krispies Bars, often called Scotcheroos, are the ultimate no-bake treat! Made with crispy rice cereal, creamy peanut butter, and topped with a rich layer of melted chocolate with a touch of butterscotch, these classic dessert bars are as easy to make as they are irresistible. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or bringing a nostalgic lunchroom favorite to life!
The original recipe was printed on boxes of Rice Krispies, making its way into the homes of most Americans in the mid-1960s. For lucky American schoolchildren, it was served at lunch as dessert.
Ingredients
For this classic dessert throwback, you need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup, light or dark
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
How To Make Scotcheroos
Scotcheroos have two delicious layers: the bottom, peanutty, crispy rice layer and a sweet chocolate topping.
- Before mixing the bottom layer, ensure your pan is ready. Simply line an 8×8 baking dish or pan with parchment paper. This will make clean-up a breeze and also allow you to lift the batch out of the pan easily.
- Put the granulated sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Keep an eye on the sugar mixture because you don’t want it to burn. Stir the sugars together continuously until the mixture begins to simmer.
- Add the peanut butter to the sugar mixture, stir it well, and remove it from the heat.
- Pour six cups of Rice Krispies into a large bowl. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir until all of the crispy puffy rice is coated.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
- For the chocolate topping, place the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a glass bowl (or another microwave-safe bowl) and heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir well and ensure that all the chips have melted. If not, return it to the microwave and heat for an additional 30 seconds.
Spread the chocolate mixture on top and allow it to cool.
Scotcheroos
Ingredients
Method
- Line an 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat granulated sugar and corn syrup in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring continually, until mixture comes to a rolling boil.
- Stir in peanut butter and remove from heat. Set aside.
- Add Rice Krispies to a large bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over the cereal and mix to combine.
- Spread the Rice Krispies mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan. Set aside.
- In the microwave, melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large glass bowl (or two separate bowls, if preferred). Heat for 1 minute and then stir. Then, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chips are completely melted.
- Spread the chocolate mixture on top of the Rice Krispie layer and allow to cool.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Tips For Making Scotcheroos
- If you prefer not to use corn syrup, substitute agave nectar or honey on a one-to-one basis.
- To make the syrup ^ release easily from your measuring cup, spray the cup with non-stick spray.
- Store scotcheroos in an airtight container after they have cooled, if they won’t be eaten soon, to help keep them fresh.
- Scotcheroos can be frozen. It’s best to cut them into individual servings and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Then place them all in a freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months. Let them thaw completely before serving.
Final Bite
Scotcheroos are a classic no-bake treat that pairs perfectly with other simple, crowd-pleasing desserts featured on the blog. For more sweet inspiration, check out Peanut Butter Cupcakes, Walnut Brownies, or Easy No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Bars—each one delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.
Have you made these chewy, chocolate-topped bars yet, or added your own twist? Share your favorite Scotcheroo secrets in the comments and pass this recipe along to friends who love easy, irresistible desserts.
P.S. Remember the peanut butter cake that they used to serve – wasn’t it delish? I bet this Peanut Butter Sheet Cake recipe by Cooking with Carlee tastes like it.
Very yummy. I even felt a little nostalgic eating them, even though I have never had them before! My husband wondered if we could throw in a few marshmallows so the bars would be a little chewier. What do you think?
I think it could have very tasty results! Let me know if you do try it and how it turns out. Thanks for stopping by!