If you’re looking for a treat that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and nutty flavors with an irresistibly chewy texture, the Chewy Chocolate and Butterscotch Scotcheroos Recipe is an absolute must-try. This nostalgic dessert brilliantly combines crispy rice cereal soaked in a warm, honey-sugar and peanut butter mixture, topped with a luscious layer of melted chocolate and butterscotch morsels. Every bite offers a delightful harmony of gooey sweetness and satisfying crunch, making it a favorite snack for gatherings, afternoon cravings, or any time you want to feel those cozy, comforting vibes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A glass rectangular dish lined with light brown parchment paper holds one thick layer of sticky, golden-brown crispy rice treat mixture, showing the texture of puffed rice clumped tightly together. A wooden spatula with a clear silicone blade rests partially on the mixture, spreading it flat. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients may be simple, but each one plays a vital role in building the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in your Scotcheroos. From the sticky sweetness of honey to the creamy richness of peanut butter, you’ll soon see how they all come together in a beautiful, easy-to-make treat.

Honey (1 cup / 340g): Adds natural sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together with a lovely sticky texture.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup / 100g): Provides additional sweetness and a bit of structure once melted with honey.
Creamy peanut butter (1 cup / 250g): Brings richness, flavor depth, and that classic nutty creaminess everyone loves.
Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors, rounding out the taste with a warm, aromatic note.
Crispy rice cereal (6 cups / 180g): Offers that essential crunch and lightness to contrast the chewy binding mixture.
Semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (6 ounces / 170g): Creates the decadent, smooth chocolate topping that softens just enough.
Butterscotch morsels (1 and 1/2 cups / 270g): Add a buttery caramel flavor that takes these bars to the next level of indulgence.
Coconut oil or butter (1 tablespoon / 14g): Helps the chocolate and butterscotch melt beautifully and set with a glossy finish.
Optional sea salt: A light sprinkle brightens flavors and adds a perfect salty contrast to the sweetness.

How to Make Chewy Chocolate and Butterscotch Scotcheroos Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Start by lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your Scotcheroos won’t stick to the pan and makes clean-up a breeze. No need to grease the parchment paper—this little trick helps everything lift out perfectly after chilling.

Step 2: Simmer Honey and Sugar

In a medium or large saucepan, combine the honey and granulated sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer. Once simmering, let it go for exactly one minute without stirring—this careful timing helps achieve the ideal consistency without overheating or burning the sugars.

Step 3: Mix in Peanut Butter and Vanilla

Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the creamy peanut butter and pure vanilla extract. Keep stirring until the peanut butter melts smoothly into the warm syrup, creating a rich and velvety base that will soon coat our crispy rice cereal.

Step 4: Add the Crispy Rice Cereal

Gently fold in all the crispy rice cereal, making sure every piece is fully coated with that divine peanut butter mixture. This step is where the magic happens—the cereal soaks up the flavor while maintaining its crunchy texture, giving you that perfect mouthfeel.

Step 5: Transfer and Press into Pan

Pour the entire mixture into your prepared pan. Using a silicone spatula, gently spread and press the mixture evenly. It’s important not to pack the mixture too tightly; a light pressing keeps the final bars airy yet stable, helping preserve their signature chewiness.

Step 6: Melt and Spread the Chocolate-Butterscotch Topping

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt together the chopped semi-sweet chocolate, butterscotch morsels, and coconut oil or butter. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Spread this rich topping evenly over the layered bars with a small offset spatula if you have one—this thin layer of lusciousness is what makes these Scotcheroos absolutely irresistible! If you like, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top for an extra flavor pop.

Step 7: Chill and Cut

Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. Chilling helps the bars set perfectly so they hold their shape when sliced. Once set, simply lift the parchment paper to remove the entire block from the pan and cut into squares. Voilà! Ready to enjoy.

How to Serve Chewy Chocolate and Butterscotch Scotcheroos Recipe

The image shows three square bars placed on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two layers: a bottom layer that is golden brown with a bumpy and textured look, resembling a crispy or crunchy base, and a top layer that is smooth and shiny dark chocolate with small textured spots and a few coarse white salt flakes sprinkled on top. One bar is in the foreground and has a bite taken out of its front left corner, exposing the thick golden brown base beneath the chocolate. The other two bars are partly visible, with one near the top edge and the other in the bottom left corner, both fully intact. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Although these Scotcheroos shine on their own, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness and enhances the nutty, buttery flavors. For a festive touch, you might dust with a few crushed peanuts or drizzle a bit of caramel or melted chocolate on top.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a rich cup of coffee to balance out their sweetness. If you want to serve them at gatherings, consider a fresh fruit platter alongside—berries, apple slices, or crisp pears offer a refreshing bite that complements the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For an eye-catching presentation, cut your Scotcheroos into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a tiered dessert stand. Wrapping individual squares in colorful parchment or cellophane tied with twine makes for charming gifts or party favors. You can also serve them alongside scoops of vanilla ice cream for a decadent twist on a classic treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cut, store your Scotcheroos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them at room temperature helps maintain their chewy texture, but if your kitchen is warm, refrigeration can help prevent melting and keep them fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray to freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When frozen, they’ll keep their freshness and taste for up to 1 month. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

Scotcheroos are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating is usually unnecessary. If you prefer them a bit softer, let them sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave reheating, as it can cause the chocolate topping to become too melty and the cereal to lose its crunch.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture, but keep in mind the bars might be slightly less smooth. If you love that nutty crunch, go for it!

Is there a substitute for crispy rice cereal?

While crispy rice cereal is key to the classic texture, you can try puffed wheat or quinoa flakes for a different twist, but expect a variation in crunch and density.

Can I make these vegan?

Yes! Use a plant-based peanut butter, replace honey with maple syrup, and choose dairy-free chocolate and butterscotch chips to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

Why do I need to use parchment paper?

Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes it effortless to lift the whole batch out of the pan for cutting, helping keep your bars intact and looking gorgeous.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Definitely! Chopped peanuts, pretzels, or even mini marshmallows can be folded in with the cereal for extra flavor and fun texture variations.

Final Thoughts

Nothing says homemade comfort like this Chewy Chocolate and Butterscotch Scotcheroos Recipe. It’s a fantastic, easy-to-make treat that brings together familiar flavors with a fun, chewy-crunchy twist. Once you make these, they’ll quickly become one of your go-to snacks for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging. Trust me, you’re going to love every bite!