Best butterscotch Rice Krispie treats! These easy, no-bake treats take just 20 minutes to make. Just like scotcheroos without the peanut butter!
Growing up, rice krispies treats were one of my favorite desserts. I loved them so much that on several birthdays, I had them instead of birthday cake.
These butterscotch rice krispie treats are a yummy twist on the classic. They’re similar to scotcheroos, but these treats are made without peanut butter.
They are super tasty and super easy to make! They take just 20 minutes to whip up, so they’re perfect for those times when you are short on time. They’re also great for times when you want something delicious but don’t want to bake anything up.
“These bars are BOMB!!!!” – Freya
Scotcheroos vs butterscotch Rice Krispie treats
I first tried scotcheroos when I lived in Iowa. For those of you who haven’t had one, they’re rice krispie treats made with Rice Krispie cereal, sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter. They’re topped with a combination of melted chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
Butterscotch rice krispies are similar in flavor and texture. They are made with the same cereal, but they omit the peanut butter and swap in brown sugar and dark corn syrup for granulated sugar and light corn syrup.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Rice Krispies cereal: You can also use a similar cereal in place of the Rice Krispies.
- Brown sugar: I recommend using dark brown sugar for richer flavor. You could also use light brown sugar if you prefer.
- Corn syrup: Dark brown corn syrup will give you the most flavor, but light corn syrup also works.
- Butter: I use salted butter because the salt helps to balance out the sweetness in the treats.
- Chocolate chips: You can substitute milk, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate chips depending on how sweet you would like it to be.
How to make butterscotch Rice Krispie treats
Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: Add the cereal to a large, heat-proof bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Place the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a large saucepan.
Step 3: Bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
Step 4: Stir in 2 cups of the butterscotch chips until melted.
Step 5: Pour the butterscotch mixture over the cereal and toss to combine.
Step 6: Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan.
Step 7: Melt the chocolate chips.
Step 8: Pour the melted chocolate chips over the butterscotch cereal bars.
Step 9: Melt the remaining butterscotch chips and drizzle over the chocolate.
Step 10: Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Storage
I recommend storing the cereal treats in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I only cover the cut portion of the treats.
The bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
More no bake treats!
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Butterscotch Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- Saucepans
- 9×13 pan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 cup dark corn syrup
- 1 cup butter
- 2 ¼ cups butterscotch chips divided
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan. Set aside.
- Place the rice krispies cereal in a large heat-safe bowl. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat the sugar, corn syrup, and butter over medium heat, stirring regularly.
- Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in 2 cups butterscotch chips until melted.
- Pour the butterscotch mixture over the cereal.
- Mix until well-combined.
- Pour the cereal into the prepared pan and press into an even layer.
- In a small heavy saucepan, melt the chocolate chips and tablespoon of butter together over low heat.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and spread, if necessary.
- Melt the remaining 1/4 cup butterscotch chips in a separate small saucepan over low heat.
- Drizzle the melted butterscotch chips over the chocolate layer.
- Chill for at least 1 hour or until the mixture is set.
- Cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- Rice Krispies cereal: You can also use a similar cereal in place of the Rice Krispies.
- Brown sugar: I recommend using dark brown sugar for richer flavor. You could also use light brown sugar if you prefer.
- Corn syrup: Dark brown corn syrup will give you the most flavor, but light corn syrup also works.
- Butter: I use salted butter because the salt helps to balance out the sweetness in the treats.
- Chocolate chips: You can substitute milk, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate chips depending on how sweet you would like it to be.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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Originally published 1/14/2020. This post is regularly updated.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Saryn Parsons says
Can I use non dark corn syrup or do I need dark?
Kate says
You can use light corn syrup, but it won’t have the same rich flavor that the dark corn syrup has.
Mary says
It was a favorite with the grandkids & a special treat to have a no peanut version for allergy issues! The grandkids are insisting we make them again!
Kate says
Yay! I’m so glad that it was a hit!
Doris Sauve says
they r not unless u use gluten free cereal. rice krispies have barley malt extract, which is gluten. :)
Kate says
Thank you! Yes, some brands are of crisp rice cereal are gluten-free and others are not. Please always check the ingredients to be certain.
Freya says
These bars are BOMB!!!!
Kate says
Thanks so much! I’m glad that you liked them. Thanks for commenting!
Shirley Casey says
Are these gluten free?
Kate says
They *should* be. However, you’ll want to double check the ingredients, especially the butterscotch chips, to make sure that the brand you use is gluten-free.
Floranet says
Significant piece of work, Thank You!!
Kate says
Thank you! =)