Scotcharoos Recipe

Believe me, this Scotcheroos Recipe is always a hit - who doesn't love the tasty mix of peanut butter and chocolate? It's a no-bake cookie dessert that kids can help make in 30 minutes or less.

Jump to:

• Try This Crispie Rice Scotcharoos Recipe Now!
• Yummy Recipe Alert: Kitchen Measuring Practice for Kids
• Supplies for the Scotcharoo Recipe
• Equipment for Scotcharoo Bars
• The Best Recipe for Rice Krispie Scotcheroos
• How to Store Scotcharoo Bars
• Scotcharoos Recipe Tips
• Recipe Variations
• FAQ about Scotcheroos
• More Great Recipes for Kids
• Come join the fun at WTN!
• Scotcharoo Bars

Try This Crispie Rice Scotcharoos Recipe Now!

When I brought a plate of Rice Krispie Scotcheroos to my Sunday School class last week there were cheers of excitement and shouts of “Scotcharoos!”

They are a kids favorite with chocolate, crispy rice and peanut butter flavor. Even the name "Scotcharroo” is fun! You’ve got to try it!

The Scotcharoos Recipe is a good way for kids to learn to cook (with your supervision). It’s a no-bake cookie dessert kids will want to help make and that everyone wants again and again.

Yummy Recipe Alert: Kitchen Measuring Practice for Kids

My mother made cookies regularly for her six kids but Scotcharoos were not in the rotation. So that tells you that after my 55 years of cookie making it’s not too late to teach an old dog new tricks!! They are so easy and yummy, I had to share the recipe with you.

It also tells you that learning how to make Scotcharoos is a must for kids. They can’t grow up deprived of this delicious cookie, almost candy bar like treat. Scotcharoos are a no-bake dessert with crispy rice cereal, peanut butter, and a chocolate topping layer. 

Your kids will love making them with you the same way I loved making cookies with my mom. They will measure ingredients, stir, and flatten the mixture into the 9x13 inch pan. Is it play or is it learning? Regardless, it is fun- especially together.

My Sunday School class knew the Scotcharoo cookies by name and gave them a huge thumbs up last week. I promise that you will too!

P.S.- I've seen the name of this cookie spelled Scotcharoos and Scotcheroos. So I sprinkled a couple "e" spellings in just to be fair. These are not errors, but for search engine stuff- sorry. Either way, spell check doesn't like the name spelling!

Supplies for the Scotcharoo Recipe

• Sugar- Sugar makes Scotcharoos a sweet chewy treat.
• Light corn syrup- Light corn syrup gives the cookie a chewy texture.
• Creamy peanut butter- Creamy peanut butter adds yummy PB flavor and a smooth consistency.
• Crispy rice cereal- Crispy rice cereal adds a crunch to the bar. You can use brand name Rice Krispies or other generic brands.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips- A melted semi-sweet chocolate chip topping “tops” it off with flavor!
• Butterscotch chips (optional)- The butterscotch chips were delicious in the chocolate topping (SCOTCH-a-roos) but could be left out if you don’t have them on hand. 
• Cooking spray or butter- I used cooking spray to keep the bars from sticking to the pan. Butter also works for this purpose.
• Wax paper or parchment paper- Use wax paper or parchment paper to press the mixture down into the pan.

Equipment for Scotcharoo Bars

• Large saucepan- The saucepan needs to be large enough to hold all the ingredients.
• Mixing spoon- A wooden spoon works best for stirring the hot mixture.
• Microwave-safe bowl- I like my glass mixing bowls for being microwave safe bowls.
• 9x13-inch baking pan- A 9x13 pan is a must in the kitchen for many recipes.
• Measuring cups- You’ll use both dry ingredient measuring cups and a liquid measuring cup.
• Rubber spatula- A rubber spatula is helpful in getting ingredients out of the measuring cups.
• Microwave- I like melting chocolate chips in a microwave.

The Best Recipe for Rice Krispie Scotcheroos

You’ll enjoy teaching your kids how to cook with this easy and fast no-bake Rice Krispie Scotcheroos cookie recipe. It takes adult supervision until the skills on the stove are well learned. But soon they can do it on their own!

Scotcharoo Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup butterscotch chips

How to Make Scotcharoos Directions

1. Use cooking spray or butter to coat a 9x13” pan so the Scotcharoos won’t stick to the pan. Place a pot holder on the counter for later.
2. Measure out the ingredients ahead of time because this recipe moves quickly after the sugar and corn syrup are heated. I measure out the first cup of cereal (or two cups if you have a larger measuring cup) and keep the box open and close at hand.
3. Put the sugar and corn syrup into a large sauce pan. Place the pan on a burner and turn it on to medium heat. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon just until it comes to a boil. 
4. Take the sugar mixture off the burner and place the pan on the potholder you set out on the counter earlier.
5. Use a plastic spatula to scoop the peanut butter out of the measuring cup and into the sugar mixture. Stir it in till the mixture is smooth.
6. Add the crispy rice cereal and stir it in. Work quickly because it will set up fast.
7. Transfer the mixture over into the 9x13-inch pan. You can place a piece of wax paper (or parchment paper) on top and press with that to get it spread evenly in the pan. You can also use greased hands to press it down but sometimes the mixture is still too warm for kids.
8. Place the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-30  second intervals until the chips begin to melt and you can stir them to get the mixture smooth. 
9. Spread this chocolate mixture evenly over the cereal layer.
10. Place the pan into the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes and then cut it into squares. The scotcharoos are harder after being cold so it would be wise for an adult to cut them up. It is kind of hard to do (suggestions below in tips section).
11. Scotcharoo bars store nicely in the refrigerator and freeze well in an airtight container. There are specifics below.

How to Store Scotcharoo Bars

Store your scotcharoo bars in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days (if they last that long). At room temperature the chocolate topping gets soft so you may prefer storing them in the fridge so it stays firm.

You can also freeze them! Be sure to put a layer of wax paper between the layers of scotcharoo bars in the airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Scotcharoos Recipe Tips

These tips can help make Scotcharoos even easier!

• Heat the sugar and corn syrup mixture just until boiling. When you see little bubbles coming to the top, take it off the stove. Boiling the mixture can cause the Scotcharoo bars to get hard and crispy instead of being chewy. And chewy is what is so good about these cookies!
• Use a heavy bottom saucepan and stir often to keep the sugar mixture from burning on the stove.
• When you stir the cereal into the cooked mixture, stir quickly and then pour it into the 9x13 pan before it starts setting up.
• The kids will enjoy helping press the cookie mixture into the pan using wax paper (or parchment paper). I actually used the waxed paper that held the cereal from the empty cereal box. It was the perfect size.
• Put the chips in a microwave proof bowl and microwave slowly so it doesn’t scorch. Try 15-30 second small bursts of time. After each burst, test the chips to see if they are melted enough to stir and spread.
• When cutting the Scotcharoo into bars, use a sharp knife that you sprayed lightly with cooking spray or dip in hot water with each cut so it slices more easily.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this recipe:

• More chocolate and butterscotch chips- Some people use up to 1 ¼ cups of both chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. That's too much for me personally but you can experiment for yourself.
• Mini marshmallows- Try stirring in a cup of mini marshmallows into the mixture along with the rice cereal.
• Holiday sprinkles- Add M&M Minis or colorful sprinkles that reflect the season on top of the chocolate spread before chilling.
• Crunchy peanut butter- I used some crunchy peanut butter in my recipe because I ran out of smooth. I worked fine and added extra crunchy texture.
• Milk chocolate chips- Some people like the sweeter taste of milk chocolate chips in the Scotcharoo topping. 
• Butterscotch chips awol- If you don’t have the butterscotch chips don’t worry, just add more chocolate chips. But then can you still call them SCOTCH-a-roos? 🙂 
• Drizzle topping- Want to get fancy? Try melting a bit of white chocolate and drizzling it over the chocolate topping.

FAQ about Scotcheroos

More Great Recipes for Kids

Looking for more easy recipes to try? Here are a few favorites:

• Papa's Fast Lemon Cake Mix Cookies with Lemon Glaze
• Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
• Fast Rice Krispie "Nests" or Cookies or Christmas Wreaths or Legos Cookies (all Rice Krispie Treat versions that you could make in a 9x13 pan)
• Simple Graham Cracker and Frosting Sandwich Cookies
• Yummy Homemade Granola Bars

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