Special K Bars (Scotcheroos) - Celebrating Sweets (2024)

This easy no-bake recipe features chewy peanut butter cereal bars topped with a chocolate and butterscotch frosting. Maybe you know these tasty bars as Scotcheroos? In my family we call them “Special K Bars” (because we make them with Special K cereal), but whatever you call them, you are bound to love them.

If you’re a fan of dessert bars you’ve come to the right place. Try our S’mores Bars and Sugar Cookies Bars, too!

These bars are always part of our holiday dessert spread, and they are one of the first things to disappear. Prefer Rice Krispies? Try my Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats.

Recipe overview

Bars: These chewy bars are made with only 4 ingredients: Special K cereal, sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter. They are chewy, sweet, and loaded with peanut butter flavor.

Topping: The easiest “frosting” ever! Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips and pour over the bars. This glossy, delicious frosting is what takes these bars over the top.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• No bake – No need to turn on your oven. These bars come together on the stovetop.
• Quick and easy – Literally under 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Basic ingredients – Only 6 ingredients needed.
• Flavor – Peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch. Yum!

Recipe tips

1. Work quickly. Once your sugar “syrup” begins boiling it is go-time. Be ready to add the peanut butter, then immediately add the cereal, then immediately press into the pan. As the mixture cools it will firm up and get more difficult to work with.
2. Use a commercial brand emulsified peanut butter. This is not the time to use a “natural” (oil on top) peanut butter, as you want the peanut butter to mix easily into the sugar syrup.
3. Use a 9×13 pan for thinner bars, or an 8×11 pan for thicker bars (pictured).

Serving: You need to give these bars a couple hours to “cool” so that the frosting can firm up. The texture is best when they are served at room temperature.

Storage: Store tightly covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Leftover butterscotch chips? Make my Salted Butterscotch Cookies.

More Peanut Butter Recipes:

Peanut Butter Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Brownies
Peanut Butter Pie

Recipe