When our children were very young, we had a favorite pumpkin patch we traveled to every Fall – no matter how far away we lived! Besides the hayride, pumpkin cannon, and huge slide, we always, always, always had to sit down and eat a huge square peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispies treat from their food barn. I had never had such decadence, and it seemed to be the only place I could find these amazing treats! They quickly became my “fall food” – a must-have in order to usher in the season of falling leaves, pumpkins, and cooler weather.
(You can take a walk down memory lane with this post from 2009 of our Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip!)
But, then the pumpkin patch closed down. (We are still mourning the loss of this family tradition.) I couldn’t get those yummy dessert bars anymore, and I had never gotten the recipe, so I wasn’t even sure what they were called (I just pointed to them in the case at the food barn and they handed them to me!).
I finally decided to do what all desperate moms do, and search the internet! That’s when I realized these Rice Krispies treats are called Scotcheroos because besides peanut butter and chocolate, they have butterscotch chips in them!
A couple of things to note about my Scotcheroos –
1 – I make them in a jelly roll or bar pan because the ones I used to get at the pumpkin patch were thin, and I prefer them that way (easier to eat than thicker bars made in a 9×13 casserole dish).
2 – I use more chocolate and butterscotch than most recipes call for because it coats the bars better. I’m sure you won’t mind a little extra chocolate, right?
OK, now that we got that out of the way…here’s the recipe!
Scotcheroos
Ingredients
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Krispies® cereal
- 12 oz. semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- 12 oz. butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Place corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan, and cook over medium heat, stirringfrequently, until sugar dissolves and begins to boil.
- 2. Remove from heat, and stir in the peanut butter, mixing well.
- Add cereal. Stir until well coated. Press mixture into 12x17x1-inch pan (jelly roll pan), coated with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in a microwave safe bowl, 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between. (Or melt in a double-boiler over low heat, stirring constantly.)
- Spread evenly over cereal mixture. Let stand until firm or pop them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to harden – just don't keep them in there too long or you won't be able to cut them!
- 6. Cut into whatever shape and size bars suit our fancy and enjoy!
Kelle says
Hello, Amy!! First I must say that I have really been enjoying your podcasts! They have been so helpful. I am a mom of 4 littles and have already gleaned so much wisdom from you.
Now…onto the dessert…I just wanted to let you know these treats can be made with special K cereal as well :-). My great grandmother made them every Christmas and I grew up loving them and introduced my hudsbands family to them when we married! They are delicious that’s for sure! I think I’m going to have to try them with rice krispy cereal now and maybe not wait for Christmas 🙂
Thanks again for all you do to help and encourage so may mothers!!
Take care 🙂
Amy says
Thank you for sharing! I love it when a recipe has many different variations. Precious memories, I am sure!
Jessica S says
Hi Amy! We used to get these years ago when we lived in the Midwest, and I haven’t had them in so long! Can’t wait to make a batch! We don’t do corn syrup however. Any substitute that you think would work in place of the corn syrup? Thanks!!
Amy says
I’m wondering if it’s a Midwest thing! What about maple syrup or honey? It would be a different flavor, but the same consistency.
Jessica S says
Great idea! Thanks!
Ericka Iverson says
ugh! i cant get this thing to print right. it wants to print too wide for portrait and too long for landscape.. im going to just copy paste it elsewhere, but thought you should know in case theres anything you can do about it..
Amy says
Thank you for letting me know, Ericka – I’ll see what I can do.