Scotcheroos are a delightful treat that combines the crunch of crispy rice cereal with the rich flavors of peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch. Perfect for any occasion, these no-bake bars are quick and easy to make, making them a favorite for busy families and sweet tooths alike.
While most of the ingredients for Scotcheroos are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Light corn syrup and butterscotch chips are not always found in every household, so be sure to check the baking aisle for these. Crispy rice cereal is also essential for the texture of this recipe.
Ingredients for Scotcheroos Recipe
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together.
Light corn syrup: Adds sweetness and a chewy texture to the bars.
Peanut butter: Adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps to hold the mixture together.
Crispy rice cereal: Gives the bars their signature crunch.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts to form a delicious chocolate topping.
Butterscotch chips: Adds a sweet, caramel-like flavor to the chocolate topping.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve a perfectly smooth and glossy topping for your Scotcheroos, ensure that the chocolate and butterscotch chips are melted slowly and evenly. Use a microwave-safe bowl and stir the mixture every 30 seconds to prevent overheating and seizing. This method helps maintain the right consistency and prevents any graininess in the final layer.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and adds a slight floral note to the Scotcheroos.
light corn syrup - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a rich, complex flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter gives a different nutty flavor and is a good alternative for those with peanut allergies.
crispy rice cereal - Substitute with cornflakes: Cornflakes provide a similar crunch and texture, though the flavor will be slightly different.
semi-sweet chocolate chips - Substitute with dark chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips offer a richer, more intense chocolate flavor and are slightly less sweet.
butterscotch chips - Substitute with white chocolate chips: White chocolate chips provide a creamy sweetness and a different flavor profile.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store / Freeze Your Treats
Allow the scotcheroos to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This ensures the chocolate topping is fully set and won't smear.
Once cooled, cut the scotcheroos into bars. This makes it easier to grab a treat without having to cut through a hardened block later.
For short-term storage, place the bars in an airtight container. Layer them with parchment paper or wax paper in between to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to a week.
If you prefer a chilled treat, store the scotcheroos in the refrigerator. Again, use an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They will keep for up to two weeks this way.
To freeze, individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap. This prevents freezer burn and makes it easy to grab a single serving.
Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
Scotcheroos can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour.
For a quick treat, you can also enjoy them straight from the freezer. The chocolate and butterscotch topping will be firmer, offering a delightful crunch.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Microwave Method:
- Place a scotcheroo bar on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Heat on medium power for 15-20 seconds.
- Check the texture; if it needs more time, heat in 5-second intervals until desired warmth is achieved.
- Let it sit for a minute before enjoying to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the scotcheroos in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Heat for about 10 minutes.
- Check if they are warm enough; if not, continue heating in 2-minute increments.
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Stovetop Method:
- Place a non-stick skillet over low heat.
- Add the scotcheroos to the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat.
- Heat for about 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from heat and let them cool for a minute before serving.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the scotcheroos on a piece of parchment paper or a small baking tray.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Check if they are warm enough; if not, continue heating in 1-minute increments.
- Let them cool slightly before enjoying.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the scotcheroos in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
- Heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Check if they are warm enough; if not, continue heating in 1-minute increments.
- Allow them to cool for a minute before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: Used to cook the sugar and corn syrup mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the sugar and corn syrup mixture frequently to prevent burning.
Mixing bowl: Needed to combine the peanut butter with the hot sugar mixture until smooth.
9x13 inch pan: The container where the crispy rice cereal mixture is pressed into to form the base of the Scotcheroos.
Microwave-safe bowl: Used to melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips together in the microwave.
Spatula: Useful for spreading the melted chocolate and butterscotch mixture evenly over the cereal mixture.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring out the sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter, and crispy rice cereal.
Knife: Needed to cut the cooled and set Scotcheroos into bars for serving.
Microwave: Used to melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips together.
Grease spray or butter: Used to grease the 9x13 inch pan to prevent the mixture from sticking.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter, and crispy rice cereal before you start cooking to streamline the process.
Use parchment paper: Line the 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup.
Microwave efficiency: Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in the microwave in 30-second intervals to save time.
Quick cooling: Place the pan in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process and set the chocolate faster.
Batch preparation: Double the recipe and use two pans to make more Scotcheroos at once, saving time for future servings.
Scotcheroos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- 6 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Butterscotch Chips
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat.
- Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Add crispy rice cereal and mix until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch pan.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture in the pan.
- Let cool until the chocolate is set. Cut into bars and serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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