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Microwave Scotcheroos Recipe

This microwave scotcheroos recipe is an easy way to make a classic but easy sweet treat. The bonus is that it takes minutes to put together. 

3 scotcheroos on a plate

The recipe is straightforward with simple ingredients, making it the perfect treat for busy home cooks. The end result is a delicious, chewy treat that the whole family will love.

Some people call these scotcheroos Rice Krispie treats or peanut butter Rice Krispie treats. They’re super easy to make.

Speaking of easy, if you’re a chocolate lover like I am, you’ll also enjoy these yummy 2 ingredient flourless chocolate cakes! They’re perfect when you want each person to have their own dessert in adorable little ramekins!

Easy Microwave Scotcheroos

You no longer have to put the gooey sugars in a double boiler to make this classic treat. And you don’t have to scotcheroos either. Your microwave is the only appliance you’ll need to make perfect scotcheroos.

I love the fact that this easy scotcheroos recipe doesn’t take much time. It’s also such an easy treat that you can get the kids involved. 

The only thing you’ll need to do if you have small children is to handle the hot bowl in the beginning. Other than that, the little ones can do the work while you supervise. They’ll be so proud of themselves for taking mom’s recipe and making something so yummy.

2 plates of scotcheroos

It’s the perfect treat for family gatherings or the dessert table at informal parties. The ingredients are pantry staples that are available at most grocery stores.

After the first time you make this simple microwave scotcheroos recipe, it will probably become one of your go-to desserts to bring to potlucks and get-togethers with friends. It’s an easy dessert to make, and the results are absolutely delicious!

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
crisp rice cereal in a bowl

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

peanut butter, corn syrup, sugar, crushed peanuts, and vanilla extract

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

I like to get everything ready before I begin any recipe. That way, I can make sure I have enough of what I need.

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. 

If you have a large Pyrex bowl you can get away with only using one bowl. That’s what I would have used if I could find the one that disappeared during our last move. Any kind of glass bowl works, as long as you’re certain that it’s microwave safe.

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.

Go ahead and spray your pan. Then set the prepared pan aside while you put all of the ingredients together.

pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray

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.

sugar and corn syrup in a bowl

Stir until the sugar is evenly distributed. 

stirring sugar and corn syrup together

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.

corn syrup, peanut butter, peanuts, and vanilla in a bowl

Add the peanut butter, peanuts, and vanilla extract to the sugar and corn syrup mixture. Stir until it is well mixed.

peanut butter mixture combined with corn syrup mixture

*Note: You can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter and crushed peanuts. I didn’t have the crunchy variety on hand, so I mixed the two.

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

all of the ingredients mixed together

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.

cereal and sugar mixture pressed into a pan

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.

butterscotch chips and chocolate chips partially melted in a bowl

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.

pouring butterscotch and chocolate chips over mixture in pan

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

butterscotch and chocolate topping smoothed over the base

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.

sliced scotcheroos in the pan and on plates

How Long Will Scotcheroos Keep?

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.

pouring topping over scotcheroos base and a plate of scotcheroos

See this recipe shared at Weekend Potluck and Full Plate Thursday.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

There are times when you need a dessert or some sort of sweet treat in a hurry. Here are some of the ones we enjoy:

3 Ingredient Lemon Bars – The balance of tart and sweet is just right in these yummy lemon bars.

Pineapple Dump Cake – If you love tropical flavors, this pineapple dump cake is what you need. Top it with ice cream or whipped cream for an out-of-this-world dessert.

Better Brownies from a Mix – Brownie loves can cut corners by adding a few things to a mix to make them taste homemade! Here’s how.

2 Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Cake – Also known as a chocolate cherry dump cake, this moist and rich cake will make everyone happy!

Easy Corn Flake Cookies – For a fun but easy treat, try these Corn Flake cookies from Southern Bite!

3 Ingredient Mug Cake – These mug cakes are perfect for those times when everyone prefers a different flavor!

Yield: 12 scotcheroos

Microwave Scotcheroos

3 scotcheroos bars on a plate

For a quick and easy dessert, make these delicious microwave scotcheroos!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies or generic brand)
  • 2/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup crushed peanuts
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

  1. Spray a 7” x 11” or 8” x 8” pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the pan aside
  2. Put the syrup and sugar in a large microwave safe bowl and stir. Microwave on high until the mixture boils. As soon as it starts to boil, remove it. If you boil it too long, the scotcheroos will get hard when they set.
  3. Remove from the microwave. Stir in the peanut butter, peanuts, and vanilla extract until it is well mixed.
  4. Add the cereal and stir until all of the pieces are coated.
  5. Spread the mixture in the greased pan. Press the mixture down until it is even across the top.
  6. Combine the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a medium microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. Return to the microwave in 30 second intervals until all of the chips have melted. Stir.
  7. Pour the melted chips over the top of the cereal mixture and spread it until the top is even.
  8. Chill until it sets, approximately 30 minutes.
  9. Cut into single serving squares or rectangles.

Notes

You may use 2/3 crunchy peanut butter in the place of the smooth peanut butter and crushed peanuts.

You can use milk chocolate chips in the butterscotch mixture, but the scotcheroos will come out extremely sweet.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 317Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 106mgCarbohydrates 47gFiber 2gSugar 42gProtein 4g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

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