Scotcheroos (also called Special K Bars) – My kid’s favorite treat
This is the recipe I forget to make for a while. But when I do, these Special K Bars are devoured! They are super popular with my kids and their friends. I didn’t realize that Scotcheroos and Special K bars are the same thing!
So, I was making these Special K Bars the other day, thinking my kids would love this chocolate, peanut buttery treat. Then my older son says, Oh wow! Scotcheroos!! It seems they are a favorite of his and they make them where he works. And, I didn’t know he liked them. Teenagers!
OK, I also need to confess something. When my new band mom friend told me about this recipe, I kind of thought Special K cereal was one of those super high fiber cardboardy cereals. I wasn’t too excited about it. But, much to my surprise, it’s a good cereal. More along the line of a puffed cereal (like rice crispies) just shaped more like a flake. Trust me, this cereal is good and not as high fibery/cardboardy that I thought. And, it is the basis of a really delicious treat!
Scotcheroos – Special K Bar recipe Printable
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A delicious peanut butter & chocolate dessert with a cereal base. Easy to make and a no-bake recipe. If you like peanut butter with chocolate, you’ll love these!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Karo syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup Peanut butter
- 6 cups Special K cereal
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add Karo syrup. Add sugar. Bring to a gentle boil and stir for about a minute.
- Remove from heat and then add the peanut butter. Stir until well combined.
- Add cereal.
- Stir gently until cereal is evenly coated.
- Press into a 9 x 13 casserole pan.
- (I love using the gloves I bought at restaurant supply store. Not only do they keep your hands clean, you don’t burn your fingers as easily with hot ingredients – baggies work too!)
- Gently heat both the butterscotch and chocolate chips until melted. You probably should use a double boiler. I just use a heavy sauce pan and low heat. Don’t overheat or the chocolate changes texture and isn’t smooth.
- Once the chocolate and peanut butter is melted, pour over the cereal mixture and spread evenly.
- Place in refrigerator to cool – about an hour.
- Cut into small squares (or large ones if you are feeding teens 🙂 ).
Notes
No-bake recipe
These squares are awesome if you like peanut butter and chocolate! They are a great snack and are super easy. And the bonus is, they are a no-bake recipe.
Do you have any favorite no-bake recipes? If so, please let me know!
My family’s other chocolate and peanut butter favorite is Puppy Chow (or some call it Muddy Buddies).
Thanks for the recipes. Couple things – Special K bars are made with “Special K” cereal. Scotcheroos are made with “Rice Krispies”. Both recipes use same ingredients, just different cereals. This is my (and my son’s) favorite treat. I always make the Special K version. As someone pointed out in a comment, your instructions for the “frosting” says peanut butter; should say “butterscotch chips.” HELPFUL HINT – sometimes my bars would be extra stiff. I no longer “Boil for 1 minute” the syrup and sugar. Once the syrup and sugar comes to a boil, I remove it from the burner and then stir in peanut butter. Nice and chewy.
★★★★
I think your recipe directions are incorrect. The directions step eight say: once the chocolate chips and peanut butter have been melted spread over the top. Yet in an earlier direction and it says to melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in does not mention melting peanut butter with them. I do see where the peanut butter is melted with the Kairo syrup. Is there additional peanut butter in the topping?
Hi, yeah… your measurements for the top layer of butterscotch and chocolate chips are off. We needed another 1/2 cup of each to completely cover our cereal layer.
I’ve been making these for 30 years. To prevent them from getting hard use 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup margarine (not butter)
Thanks Patti! Hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine did. This will now be a regular at my house!
Sorry, the recipe did indeed disappear. I’ll have it figured out soon!
Looks great. I can’t wait to try it. They seem a little healthy as well as decedant. My family love chocolate and peanut butter. Well, know doesn’t….
Recipe please!