Scotcheroos
Chewy peanut butter and crisped rice bars topped with a layer of melted chocolate and butterscotch. A Midwestern potluck classic, and no oven needed.
How to Make Scotcheroos
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Line a 23 x 33 cm tin with greaseproof paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
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Put the sugar and syrup in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir for about 4 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is just starting to boil. Take the pan off the heat.
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Stir in the peanut butter until smooth, then fold in the cereal until every piece is coated.
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Press the mixture firmly into the tin with a greased spatula.
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Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth.
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Spread the topping over the bars and leave at room temperature for 1 hour, until set. Lift out with the paper and cut into 24 bars with a hot knife.
Tips for Making Scotcheroos
- Take the syrup off the heat as soon as it starts to boil. A longer boil sets to a hard candy, and the bars turn tough.
- Press the base down hard. A firmly packed base cuts into neat squares, and a loose one crumbles.
- Melt the chips gently. Overheated chocolate turns grainy, and butterscotch chips scorch easily.
What to Serve with Scotcheroos
- Cold milk
- Hot coffee
- Vanilla ice cream
Storing & Reheating Scotcheroos
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layered between sheets of greaseproof paper. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Scotcheroos FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Scotcheroos take to make?
About 25 minutes of hands-on work — 15 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of Setting, so allow 1 hour 25 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 24.
What are the key tips for making Scotcheroos?
Take the syrup off the heat as soon as it starts to boil. A longer boil sets to a hard candy, and the bars turn tough. Press the base down hard. A firmly packed base cuts into neat squares, and a loose one crumbles. Melt the chips gently. Overheated chocolate turns grainy, and butterscotch chips scorch easily.
What should I serve with Scotcheroos?
Cold milk; Hot coffee; Vanilla ice cream.
Can Scotcheroos be made ahead or frozen?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layered between sheets of greaseproof paper. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Is Scotcheroos suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Scotcheroos?
About 233 kcal per serving, with 4 g protein, 34 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Scotcheroos Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.