• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Stress Baking
  • Recipes
  • Baking Basics
  • Resources
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Baking Basics
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Desserts
  • About
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Baking Basics
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Desserts
    • About
    • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Brownies & Bars

    Easy Scotcheroos Recipe

    Published: Nov 21, 2022 · Last modified: Nov 28, 2022 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Be the first to rate this recipe!
    A bite taken out of a chewy scotcheroo bar

    These soft scotcheroos are chewy peanut butter rice krispie treats that are topped with chocolate and butterscotch. This sweet no-bake dessert is always the life of the party!

    A bite taken out of a chewy scotcheroo bar

    Okay, let’s get one thing out of the way: Scotcheroos have nothing to do with kangaroos.

    Yes, I actually heard someone ask that question once. Their hypothesis was that scotcheroos were a type of food fed to kangaroos. I mean… there are worst guesses, I suppose!

    What are Scotcheroos?

    Think of Scotcheroos as a different flavor of Rice Krispie Treats, but without the marshmallows. Sort of like chocolate peanut butter rice krispies treats.

    Scotcheroos are sweet bars with a layer of peanut butter mixed with Rice Krispies cereal, and topped with a layer of chocolate and butterscotch.

    If you attend a party in the Midwest United States, it’s basically a given that someone is going to bring a pan (or three) of scotcheroos.

    Who invented Scotcheroos?

    To be totally honest, I think the simple answer is Kellogg’s! They printed the recipe on their boxes of Rice Krispies back in the 1960s, and it’s been a hit ever since.

    A tall stack of scotcheroos squares on a white plate

    Ingredients for scotcheroos

    • Rice Krispies cereal – doesn’t have to be the name brand, it can be any crispy rice cereal.
    • Creamy peanut butter – I’ve tried using natural peanut butter (the kind you have to stir to mix in the oil), and it’s pretty hit or miss. I’m a big fan of Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter Spread, but Skippy Natural is a good less expensive option.
    • Light brown sugar – I personally prefer the flavor of light brown sugar as it complements the butterscotch flavor better than white sugar, but you can substitute granulated sugar if you need/want to.
    • Light corn syrup – If you don’t have light corn syrup, you can substitute honey if you need to. Just note that you might end up with a slightly different flavor depending on the strength of the flavor of the honey you choose.
    • Vanilla extract – This is optional, but encouraged. I think it just gives the finished product a more well-rounded flavor.
    • Dark chocolate chips – I prefer using a dark chocolate for mine to help balance out the sweetness from everything else, but if you really want to you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead. I don’t recommend using milk chocolate as the result will be far too sweet.
    • Butterscotch chips – The star of the show! Nestle Toll House Butterscotch Morsels seem to be the most accessible option, but I’ve seen Guittard Butterscotch Baking Chips sometimes as well.
    • Flaky sea salt – Totally optional garnish for the top, but I like including it to balance out the sweetness. I love me some sweet and salty treats!
    Light brown sugar, peanut butter and honey in a saucepan
    Caramel colored mixture bubbling at the edges in a saucepan

    How to make scotcheroos

    • Spray an 8″x8″ baking dish with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper, and spray again with nonstick spray. Set aside.
    • Pour Rice Krispies into a large bowl and set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine peanut butter, light brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble and come to a boil.
    Rice krispies being mixed with a caramel colored sauce in a clear mixing bowl
    Caramel colored rice krispie mixture pressed into a square baking dish
    • Immediately remove from heat, stir in vanilla if including it, and pour over rice krispies and use a spatula to coat and combine.
    • Turn the mixture out into the prepared baking dish and use your spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. You want to put firm pressure to ensure the bars won’t be crumbly, but not so firm that they’ll turn out tough.
    Chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a saucepan
    Layer of melted chocolate and sea salt flakes in a square baking dish
    • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine dark chocolate and butterscotch chips and stir constantly until melted and combined.
    • Pour chocolate mixture over the top of the rice krispies to evenly coat the top, add flaky sea salt if desired, then place in the fridge to set completely.
    • Lift bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board and slice into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy!
    A stack of three scotcheroos squares on a white plate

    Are caramel and butterscotch the same thing?

    Nope! The main difference between caramel and butterscotch is that caramel is made with granulated sugar, while butterscotch is made with brown sugar.

    That’s actually why I prefer using brown sugar in my scotcheroo bars – I feel it complements the flavor base of butterscotch better than granulated sugar.

    How many calories are in a Scotcheroo bar?

    With this recipe and the assumption that you’re cutting the pan into 16 individual bars, each bar is around 201 calories.

    Helpful tips

    • Spray, line, spray again. To be 100% sure they won’t stick to the baking dish, spray it with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper, and spray it again.
    • Remove the mixture from heat as soon as it starts to bubble. The usual culprit for hard scotcheroos is that the sure mixture came to a boil – so to avoid that, as soon as it comes to a simmer, you want to remove it from the heat and combine it with the rice krispies.
    • Don’t pack the mixture too tightly in the pan. You want to put firm pressure to ensure the bars won’t be crumbly, but not too firm because then they’ll come out tough.

    FAQs

    Why are my scotcheroos hard?

    The usual culprit for hard scotcheroos is that the sure mixture came to a boil. You want to avoid that, so as soon as the mixture is combined and comes to a simmer, you want to remove it from the heat and combine it with the rice krispies.

    Can I make scotcheroos without corn syrup?

    You can, but the result might be ever so slightly different in texture and flavor. Swap the corn syrup for some honey, 1:1!

    How long do scotcheroos stay fresh?

    Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, scotcheroos should stay fresh for up to 3 days.

    However, if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge, they can last up to 1 week. Just make sure you let them set out at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to make them softer and easier to eat.

    Can I freeze scotcheroos?

    You sure can! Keep scotcheroos in a freezer-safe airtight container (stacked in single layers separated by parchment paper, or – even better – individually wrapped) in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

    Sliced scotcheroo squares stacked on parchment paper in a clear storage container

    After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!

    A stack of scotcheroos squares on a white plate

    Easy Scotcheroos Recipe

    Be the first to rate this recipe!
    These soft scotcheroos are chewy peanut butter rice krispie treats that are topped with chocolate and butterscotch. This sweet no-bake dessert is always the life of the party!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Setting Time 1 hour
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings 16 bars
        ✓ Read the recipe from beginning to end
          ✓ Check oven calibration
            ✓ Check expiration dates
              ✓ Properly measure ingredients
                ✓ Check butter temperature

    Recommended Equipment

    • Square baking pan
    • Parchment paper
    • Medium saucepan
    • Small saucepan
    • Mixing bowls
    • Mixing spoon
    • Spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ½ cup light brown sugar, can substitute granulated sugar
    • ½ cup light corn syrup or honey
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional, but encouraged
    • ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
    • ¾ cup butterscotch chips
    • Flaky sea salt, optional garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Spray an 8″x8″ baking dish with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper, and spray again with nonstick spray. Set aside.
    • Pour Rice Krispies into a large bowl and set aside.
      3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine peanut butter, light brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble and come to a boil.
      ½ cup creamy peanut butter | ½ cup light brown sugar | ½ cup light corn syrup or honey
    • Immediately remove from heat, stir in vanilla if including it, and pour over rice krispies and use a spatula to coat and combine.
      ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Turn the mixture out into the prepared baking dish and use your spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. You want to put firm pressure to ensure the bars won't be crumbly, but not so firm that they'll turn out tough.
    • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine dark chocolate and butterscotch chips and stir constantly until melted and combined.
      ¾ cup dark chocolate chips | ¾ cup butterscotch chips
    • Pour chocolate mixture over the top of the rice krispies to evenly coat the top, add flaky sea salt if desired, then place in the fridge to set completely.
      Flaky sea salt
    • Lift bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board and slice into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Storage: Keep scotcheroos in an airtight container (stacked in single layers separated by parchment paper) in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let them set out at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to make them softer and easier to eat.
    Freeze: Keep scotcheroos in a freezer-safe airtight container (stacked in single layers separated by parchment paper, or – even better – individually wrapped) in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Author Leslie Kiszka
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating!

    Related Posts

    • Chocolate Chunk Butterscotch Blondies
    • Single Serving Rice Krispie Treat
    • Mint Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
    • Easy Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats
    • Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (Halloween Rice Krispie Treats)

    More Brownies & Bars

    • Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (Halloween Rice Krispie Treats)
    • The Best Fudgy Brownies
    • Sugar Cookie Bars
    • Salted Toffee Crunch Brownie Brittle
    Leslie Kiszka in a red dress

    About Leslie

    I'm the hot mess behind every recipe you see here! I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with approachable homemade recipes and a little humor, for good measure.

    learn more about Leslie →

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a rating and comment (and always be kind)! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there, I'm Leslie! I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with approachable homemade recipes and a little humor, for good measure. About Leslie ⟶

    FAN FAVORITES

    • Easy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
    • The Perfect Banana Bread
    • The Best Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting
    • Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad

    BAKING BASICS

    • How to Make a Lemon Twist Garnish
    • How to Store Leftover Champagne
    • How to Make Simple Syrup
    • How To Freeze Cookie Dough

    My Favorite Thermometer

    Thermapen ONE

    Footer

    List of different websites that Stress Baking has been featured on

    About

    • What is "stress baking"?
    • Meet Leslie
    • Work With Me

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers

    Resources

    • Recipes
    • Baking Basics
    • Tips & Recommendations
    • Shop my favorites

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for email updates
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    Blue Stress Baking logo

    Not responsible for computer or phone repairs caused by excessive amounts of drool ;)

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases - see disclaimers.

    COPYRIGHT © 2015-2023 Stress Baking