Make this chewy, no-bake Scotcharoo recipe — a beloved Midwest favorite made with peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch. Learn the secret to keeping your bars soft and perfectly chewy every time.
If you grew up in the Midwest, you already know about Scotcharoos.
These chewy, chocolate-topped peanut butter butterscotch bars are a staple at potlucks, bake sales, and every “bring a dessert” gathering from Illinois to Iowa. They’re sweet, sticky, and just the right amount of nostalgic — the kind of dessert that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with anything fancier.
This is my go-to Scotcharoo recipe — the one that never fails me, whether I’m feeding my family, making something for a church dinner, or just craving a treat with my afternoon coffee. Best of all? They come together in about 15 minutes and don’t even require turning on the oven. (That’s a win!)
I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to make sure the bars stay chewy (not rock-hard) and the topping sets up just right. Trust me—this version will be your go-to!
Why You’ll Love This Scotcharoo Recipe
- They're a Midwest favorite: If you’ve ever been to a small-town bake sale, these were probably front and center.
- No-bake, quick, and easy: Just melt, mix, press, and top.
- Perfectly chewy (not hard!): Follow my tips below to keep them soft and dreamy.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor combo: Chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch — it’s basically the Holy Trinity of Midwest desserts.
If you can’t get enough chocolate + peanut butter, these rich chocolate peanut brownies are another Midwest favorite!
Ingredients
- Crisp rice cereal - aka Rice Krispies cereal. The Kellogg's version or the generic version both work to serve as the crunchy, chewy base.
- Corn syrup – helps bind the cereal and keeps things chewy (no rock-hard bars here!).
- Granulated sugar – adds sweetness and structure.
- Creamy peanut butter – for that classic peanut butter richness. (You can use crunchy for added texture but creamy is my go-to.)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – perfectly balances the sweetness.
- Butterscotch chips – the magic ingredient that brings the butterscotch flavor to Scotcharoos.
How to Make Scotcharoo Bars
This no-bake recipe comes together fast. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Step 1: Heat the sugar and syrup: In a large saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture just begins to bubble. Don’t let it boil hard — this is key to soft, chewy bars!
- Step 2: Add peanut butter: Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Step 3: Mix in the cereal: Immediately add the rice cereal and stir until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Press into the pan: Spread the mixture evenly in your prepared pan. A silicone spatula or wax paper helps keep things neat.
Don't press hard, just get everything nicely settled.
- Step 5: Melt the chips: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- Step 6: Spread the topping: Pour the melted mixture over the bars and smooth it out evenly.
Let set: Allow the bars to cool until the topping is firm, then cut into squares and enjoy!
Farm Girl Tip: For neat cuts, chill the bars for 15–20 minutes and use a warm knife (dip it in hot water, wipe dry, and slice).
Save This Recipe For Later
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Tips for Soft, Chewy Scotcharoos (Not Hard!)
This is the number one question I get whenever I share this recipe!
Here’s how to make sure your bars stay chewy instead of rock solid:
- Watch your heat. Once the sugar and corn syrup mixture starts to bubble, take it off the heat right away. Over-boiling makes the syrup too hot, and that’s what causes hard bars.
- Use a candy thermometer if you tend to overdo it. Remove from heat just as it reaches 235°F (soft-ball stage).
- Work quickly. As soon as you stir in the peanut butter, mix in the cereal and press into the pan while it’s still warm.
- Don’t press too hard! A firm press is good, but smashing the mixture down will make it dense.
- Store properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen’s warm, refrigerate briefly — but let them come to room temp before serving.
Follow those steps and your Scotcharoos will be soft, chewy, and just the right amount of gooey every single time.
Storage and Freezing
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
To freeze: This are perfect for popping into cold lunches! Slice into bars and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once firm, stack between parchment layers in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Variations and Fun Twists
Add a pinch of salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a sweet-salty balance.
Make it extra peanut-buttery: Swap half the butterscotch chips for peanut butter chips.
Holiday version: Add sprinkles or colored candy melts for a festive touch depending on what season it is.
I’ve made these bars for field meals, school events, and plenty of random Tuesdays when we needed a pick-me-up. They always disappear quickly — which is the best kind of problem to have.
FAQs About Scotcharoo Bars
Yes! Just be sure to use a gluten-free crisp rice cereal.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen runs hot, you can refrigerate them, but let them come back to room temp before serving for best texture.
Absolutely. Freeze in a single layer, then stack with parchment paper between layers in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw on the counter before serving.
This usually means the sugar mixture boiled too long. Next time, pull it off the heat as soon as it starts to bubble.
If you love scotcharoos, you'll also love smore rice krispie treats!
More Midwest Treats to Love
If you grew up on Scotcharoos, you’ll love these other sweet, simple recipes that feel right at home in any Midwest kitchen. Try my Soft Pumpkin Cookies for another nostalgic bite, or whip up a batch of Homemade Chex Mix and Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes for your next potluck spread. No matter what you make, these easy recipes bring that same down-to-earth comfort to your table.
More No Bake Desserts
Recipe
Easy Scotcharoo Recipe
Send me this recipe!
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
To make the Scotcheroo Bars
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup I grew up calling it Karo syrup
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal like Rice Krispies
To make the Chocolate Chip and Butterscotch Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment or grease lightly.
- Combine sugar and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture just begins to bubble. Do not bring to a full boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth.
- Add cereal and stir until fully coated.
- Press into pan evenly without compacting too firmly.
- Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Spread over bars and let set. Cut into squares and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
These Scotcharoos make the perfect sweet treat to tuck into harvest coolers —
Jaclyn MacCaskill says
I've made these a couple times now Deanne, they are terrific. We all love them. I usually have all the ingredients on hand too, which is great. Thanks for the great recipe. xo
Catherine says
A perfect pantry treat to make for the family! These look so delightful...I know everyone here would love if I made a batch for them.
Chris Collins says
I can't say I've ever had a Scotcheroo Bar before but they look right up my street! YUM!!
Erika says
These look amazing! I love how simple the ingredients are too.
Angela Allison says
These bars are the BEST! Love the butterscotch flavor with Krispie cereal. Perfect treat for me and the kids!
Carrie Robinson says
Oh yum! What a perfect sweet treat! 🙂
Catherine says
A perfect pantry treat to make for the family! These look so delightful...I know everyone here would love if I made a batch for them.
Chris Collins says
I can't say I've ever had a Scotcheroo Bar before but they look right up my street! YUM!!
Erika says
These look amazing! I love how simple the ingredients are too.
Angela Allison says
These bars are the BEST! Love the butterscotch flavor with Krispie cereal. Perfect treat for me and the kids!
Carrie Robinson says
Oh yum! What a perfect sweet treat! 🙂
Erica Schwarz says
Oh my, these are amazing! I never knew what scotcheroos were, but there's peanut butter so I had to try and they are amazing.
Denay DeGuzman says
A friend and I got together for some holiday baking and made these scrumptious Scotcheroo Bars. We planned to plate them for neighbors as gifts, but after enjoying these special treats we just couldn't part with them! LOL
Beth says
I never had these growing up but really love them now! So do the kids!
Sara Welch says
Loving all the flavors in this sweet treat! These will make great gifts for Christmas this year, indeed!
Anita says
I've never had scotcheroo bars before, but the recipe is so simple and now this has become one of my favorite snack. 🙂
Erica Schwarz says
Oh my, these are amazing! I never knew what scotcheroos were, but there's peanut butter so I had to try and they are amazing.
Denay DeGuzman says
A friend and I got together for some holiday baking and made these scrumptious Scotcheroo Bars. We planned to plate them for neighbors as gifts, but after enjoying these special treats we just couldn't part with them! LOL
Beth says
I never had these growing up but really love them now! So do the kids!
Sara Welch says
Loving all the flavors in this sweet treat! These will make great gifts for Christmas this year, indeed!
Anita says
I've never had scotcheroo bars before, but the recipe is so simple and now this has become one of my favorite snack. 🙂
Joyce says
This is an excellent recipe; one of the family’s all time favorites.
Joyce says
This is an excellent recipe; one of the family’s all time favorites.
Jem says
These look really delicious. Perfect with a hot drink.
Pinelopi Kyriazi says
As a Vegan, I will put dark chocolate and I will make it ASAP. I am a big fan of peanutr butter!
Jacqueline Debono says
I have never had scotcheroo bars but I'm definitely missing out! I love peanut butter and chocolate together! Can't wait to try these!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Oh my gosh these look delicious, how have I never had scotcheroo bars before?! They look right up my street!
Marie says
These bars look delicious. I'm a huge fan of peanut butter and chocolate together! I need to make this recipe ASAP.
Pinelopi Kyriazi says
As a Vegan, I will put dark chocolate and I will make it ASAP. I am a big fan of peanutr butter!
Jacqueline Debono says
I have never had scotcheroo bars but I'm definitely missing out! I love peanut butter and chocolate together! Can't wait to try these!
Marie says
These bars look delicious. I'm a huge fan of peanut butter and chocolate together! I need to make this recipe ASAP.