Quick Dessert Recipe Using Pantry Staples

I absolutely love this microwave scotcheroos recipe! It’s an easy way to make a classic but sweet treat that satisfies on so many levels of deliciousness. The bonus is that it takes just a few minutes to put together. 

The recipe is straightforward with simple ingredients. I love the fact that I can whip up this sweet treat that satisfies my peanut butter and chocolate craving in just a few minutes with ingredients I’m likely to have on hand.

Easy Microwave Scotcheroos

You no longer have to put the gooey sugars in a double boiler to make this classic treat. Your microwave is the only appliance you’ll need to make perfect scotcheroos.

Ingredients for Microwave Scotcheroos

These scotcheroos use simple ingredients that you can find in any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies or generic brand)
• Light corn syrup (Karo syrup or generic version)
• Granulated sugar
• Peanut butter (creamy)
• Crushed peanuts
• Vanilla extract
• Chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
• Butterscotch chips

I used creamy peanut butter this time because that’s what I had in the pantry. However, if you have crunchy peanut butter, use that but eliminate the crushed peanuts.

Instead of the name brand Rice Krispies, I used a generic crisped rice cereal that’s gluten free. It’s completely up to you because it will come out the same, regardless of brand. Whether you make your scotcheroos gluten free or regular, they’ll taste the same!

Preparation

In order to make these cereal bars, you’ll need either a 7 x 11 or 8 x 8 inch pan or casserole dish. You’ll also need a couple of bowls—one that’s microwave safe and one for mixing. 

I also like to use a nonstick cooking spray so that the scotcheroos are easy to remove from the pan after they’ve set. I’ve tried using parchment paper, but the cooking spray works much better for me. Go ahead and spray your pan. Then set the prepared pan aside while you put all of the ingredients together.

How to Make Scotcheroos

Pour the crisp rice cereal into a large bowl. You’ll need a big enough bowl for mixing everything later.

Put the syrup and sugar in a microwave safe mixing bowl.

Stir until the sugar is evenly distributed. 

Microwave on high until it begins to boil. This can take anywhere from 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it and don’t let the mixture boil too long. If it does, the scotcheroos will become too hard to eat. Remove it from the microwave and stir it again.

Add the peanut butter, peanuts, and vanilla extract to the sugar and corn syrup mixture.

Stir until it is well mixed.

Now stir the mixture into the cereal. until all of the pieces are well coated.

Pour the mixture into your greased pan and spread it out. Press it down until the mixture is even across the top. Set the pan aside while you work on the topping.

Combine the butterscotch and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Heat it on high for 1 minute. 

Remove it from the microwave and stir it. Chances are, some of the chips still haven’t melted, so return the bowl to the microwave and heat for 30 second intervals. Stir again.

Keep doing this until the mixture of the 2 types of chips is smooth. It normally takes me a total of 2 minutes of microwaving to get the right consistency.

Pour the melted topping over the top of the cereal mixture and spread it evenly over the top.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you do need to make sure the entire top is covered.

Setting the Microwave Scotcheroos

Place it in the fridge and chill it until it sets. This takes about 30 minutes. You can also let it set at room temperature, but it takes a bit longer—like around an hour or two. After it sets, cut the scotcheroos into single serving squares or rectangles.

Leftovers

After you cut scotcheroos into squares, they’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, chances are, they won’t last that long if the whole family knows they’re in there.

Or you can freeze them. Simply put them in a single layer in an airtight container and freeze them. If you need to have more layers, place a piece of wax paper between them.

More Easy Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes

Peanut butter is one of my favorite foods, so I often look for recipes that include it. These peanut butter Cocoa Krispie treats are delicious. My family enjoys these amazing fudgy peanut butter bars.

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