Scotcheroos are bar cookies made with rice cereal, butterscotch chips, peanut butter, corn syrup and chocolate. They've always been one of my favorites, and now I like them even more thanks to a great tip from my friend Tracy. Tracy substitutes Special K for the Rice Krispies, which changes the texture and flavor and makes the bars a little more interesting.
A Few Scotcheroos Notes!
This is still one of my favorite recipes, though I don't get many opportunities to make them. One little bonus is that Scotcheroos are egg-free. The butterscotch chips do contain a tiny bit of dairy so they are not vegan, but they do not contain eggs.
Here's the Special K version of Scotcheroos. Enjoy!
Recipe
Tracy's Scotcheroos
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups Special K Cereal
- 1 ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cup butterscotch chips 9 ounces
Instructions
- Line a 13x9 inch pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper. For a half batch, use an 8-inch pan.
- In a large (3 quart) nonstick saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup and heat just until mixture begins to boil and sugar starts to dissolve. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until well blended, then stir in the cereal.
- Empty the mixture into the pan and press firmly. You may want to lay a piece of parchment or nonstick foil over the top to do this.
- Place chocolate and butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on 50% power for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can do this over a double-boiler. Spread over top of bars and refrigerate until chocolate is slightly firm.
- Remove from the refrigerator when set and return to room temperature (they are hard to cut when cold). Lift foil from pan and place on a cutting board. Cut into bars
Anna says
I've had my eye on those too! Good luck farming out all the rest of the Scotcheroos. I'm not so sure they freeze well.
Sue says
It’s a no bake kind of day here and these are always a favorite. I should have made a half batch, but nope. We have a 9x13 inch pan full for two people!
Kim F. says
I just bought the ingredients for these today and then I found your post here! My son's tennis team loves them (making them with Rice Crispy cereal but would love the try them with Special K)! We called these Chocolate Messies when I was growing up... b/c they are messy. I think we used 1/2 butterscotch chips and 1/2 semi sweet chocolate chips sometimes... but these are also great if you omit the butterscotch chips and double the semi sweet chocolate morsels. Yum!
debcurlydog says
I usually just put a scoop of peanut butter in with the chocolate chips and melt together and spread...extra peanut buttery 🙂
Sue says
They are called Special K Bars here too and yes, they have the chocolate/butterscotch topping.
With the state of grocery stores here I should just throw in the towel and move to Disney. They're always out of something or have pulled what I want entirely from the shelves. Just yesterday I learned that I can no longer buy Hershey's Special Dark cocoa locally.
Holiday Baker Man says
Perfect! Try a couple of pieces and share the rest!!!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
Special K= healthy right? I wish I was that HEB employee who helped because these look delicious!
Anna says
Totally! For the photo, I should have taken a picture of the cookie putting a tape measure around itself and looking in the mirror.
Chewthefat says
And clearly, because they are made with Special K you can count them as part of the Special K diet!
Anna says
Karen, does your version of Special K bars have the butterscotch/chocolate topping? I've made versions that are just the base with no chocolate. I love the chocolate!
Karen says
LOL at the idea of just going to Disney World if the store doesn't have the ingredients you want.
This is called Special K bars around here. And this is a MUST for my sister to make and bring to ANY family gathering. 2 or 3 pans worth at least. They are that good!