As I mentioned last week, our family has (for the most part) stopped eating dessert after meals. However, as I also mentioned in that post, we have NO intention of eliminating all sweet treats from our home!
Yes, I know sugar essentially has zero health benefits, and I know how “addictive” it can be. Never-the-less, my feet are still both firmly planted in the “all things in moderation” camp and I just can’t see myself ever feeling the need to completely give up our favorite sweet treats for good.
I know too many people who have an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to food and they seem to go CRAZY when they are around sweets — to the point where they almost can’t stop themselves. I also had several friends growing up who were never allowed to have sweets at home, and they went way overboard when they were away from home.
So, while we always have a HUGE variety of fresh fruits and veggies in the fridge, we also have a wide variety of cookies, bars, ice cream, candy and other treats in our pantry and freezer… I don’t anticipate either of those changing any time soon!
Scotcharoos are one of our family’s most favorite sweet treats (especially for packing lunches). They are so quick and easy to whip up, they are a “no-bake” treat so the kids can easily help, they make a big batch, and they combine two of our favorite “food groups” — chocolate and peanut butter!
Several years ago, I shared my recipe for Scotcharoos WITHOUT peanut butter (this is a great option for those of you who can’t send peanut butter items to school). However, it recently dawned on me that I’ve never actually shared my recipe for “regular” scotcharoos!
At least not until TODAY!
I have healthified my Scotcharoo recipe just a little tiny bit by omitting Corn Syrup and using honey instead — the bars have a slightly different taste, but they are still quite delicious!
Delicious Scotcharoos
Scotcharoos are one of our family's favorite sweet treats -- most likely because they combine our 2 favorite "food groups" (chocolate and peanut butter!)
Ingredients
- 6 c. Rice Krispie cereal
- 3 T. butter
- 3/4 c. honey (or corn syrup if you prefer)
- 3/4 c. granulated sugar
- 1.5 c. peanut butter (I use creamy)
- 1 t. vanilla
- ---
- 1 c. butterscotch chips*
- 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter*
- 1.5 c. semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Generously grease a 9" x 13" pan and set aside
- In a large bowl, measure out 6 cups of cereal and set aside.
- In a medium pan, melt butter and mix with honey and sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbly (stirring consistently)
- Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
- Pour mixture over cereal and mix until combined.
- Press mixture into pan (I use wax paper to do this) and set aside.
- In the same saucepan, heat butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and chocolate chips until fully melted and combined (stirring constantly to prevent burning)
- Pour chocolate over cereal mixture and spread to cover.
- Let cool completely (I usually put the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes).
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*If you'd like the topping to be firmer, use 1.5 c. butterscotch chips and omit the peanut butter.
I make these bars roughly once a month — more often around the holiday season when we need to bring food to parties and other events.
They are ALWAYS a big hit!
I hope you love them too!
What is your favorite chocolate + peanut butter treat?
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Jane Folkman says
I made mine with double the amount of butterscotch chips and milk chocolate chips. They were mouthwatering
Andrea says
YUUUUMMM!!
Bonnie'sMama says
Gretchen Rubin talks about people being either abstainers or moderators. Moderators see a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and can eat one, just one. Abstainers see a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies–and they can and will eat the whole plate! If the cookies are there, abstainers have a very hard time stopping themselves from eating them until all the cookies are gone.
Moderators are innately more able to regulate how much they consume of something, but abstainers are far better off if they just don’t start eating the forbidden fruit at all. It’s actually easier for them to not have any at all than to just eat a little bit.
As an abstainer, I know this to be true. Yes, abstainers still need to work at learning to be moderate, but it is very helpful to know this distinction about myself.
This might help explain the “all or nothing” mindset that you’ve seen with sugar, Andrea.
Andrea says
Yes, I’ve read parts of her books — and it makes sense. I truly hope none of my children need to be abstainers!
Ann says
THANK YOU!
(But I might gain a few pounds now!) Corn syrup in bars like this gives me a sore throat. (Which limits how much I eat of them). Now I might be in danger!
Carol Triebel says
I spray my spatula with non-stick spray and it works great to flatten the rice crispies in the pan.
Andrea says
good tip!
Amy says
How much butter do you put in? I don’t see it in the recipe list but see it in the picture.
Andrea says
3 Tablespoons
Thanks for catching that — I just added it to the ingredient list!
Kim says
Scotcheroos are such an important part of our family history that they were mentioned at my 87year old Mom’s funeral message just two weeks ago. She made them for almost every family event to the great delight one and all! Few people I have known have even ever heard of them. Everyone should make some. They will change your life!
I turned them into concrete when I tried to make them so I am hopeful that the non corn syrup recipe will help me achieve success.
Andrea says
sorry to hear about your mom — if she baked scotcharoos, I’m certain she was a fine lady!
And yes, the honey does keep the bats softer — I’ve made at least one batch of concrete scotcharoos in my lifetime!