For so long as I can keep in mind, Scotcheroos have had a (rightful) place on the dessert desk at our Iowa household gatherings. I prefer to make Scotcheroos with a gooey twist. Rather than the standard gentle Karo syrup, my household makes use of pan-melted buttery sticky marshmallows. It creates a softer, chewier Rice Krispies Treat-meets-chocolate-butterscotch cookie bar hybrid.
This is a slight stray from conventional Scotcheroo protocol—my fellow Iowans are obsessive about these no-bake desserts and have a tendency to stay to the usual substances—however it nonetheless delivers the chocolatey, butterscotch goodness that all of us crave.
What Are Scotcheroos?
While there’s no particular identified inventor or founder, we do know the primary Scotcheroo recipe appeared on the again of Rice Krispies cereal bins within the Nineteen Sixties. The unique recipe known as for toasted puffed rice, gentle corn syrup, peanut butter, and equal elements Nestlé semisweet chocolate and butterscotch morsels—therefore the playful title.
The easy, throw-together deal with started exhibiting up in fantastically reduce, grab-and-eat squares at potlucks and bake gross sales throughout the Midwest and continues to carry a spot in our hearts and on our tables.
Why We Love This Dessert
- It’s nostalgic. Ask any Iowan (and the high quality people from Minnesota and Wisconsin) about Scotcheroos, and so they’ll fondly let you know a couple of grandparent or aunt who makes the perfect bars.
- There’s no baking required. No oven wanted—just a bit time stirring on the stovetop.
- It’s quick. You actually can toss these collectively in 10 minutes.
- The ingredient listing is brief. Combine simply six substances, layer chocolate on high, and also you’re completed.
Tips, Tricks, and Swaps
A sticky ingredient is critical to carry these bars collectively. I firmly consider that mini marshmallows with slightly butter are a superior adhesive to the standard white sugar dissolved in gentle corn syrup. It’s all about texture and preserving the bars gentle and chewy quite than too dense or compressed. I like to recommend utilizing mini marshmallows over regular-sized mallows—they soften quicker and so they’re simply extra enjoyable to work with.
You may customise your Scotcheroo recipe by swapping in honey or almond butter. Change up the Rice Krispies base and use Cocoa Krispies or Special Okay™ cereal. Or elevate the squares with a layer of Nutella and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt on high.
How To Make Scotcheroos
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
Directions
- Butter a 9x 13-inch baking dish.
- In a pot over medium warmth, mix butter, marshmallows, and peanut butter. Stir continuously till melted and mixed.
- Remove from warmth and blend within the rice cereal till evenly coated. Press the combination into the ready baking dish in a good layer.
- Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips within the saucepan, stirring till easy and mixed. Spread melted combination excessive of the cereal combination.
- Allow to chill till the highest solidifies earlier than chopping into bars and serving.
