Special K Bars – classic no-bake bars that are super easy to make! Loaded with peanut butter and topped with chocolate and butterscotch for a delicious flavor combination.
No-bake recipes are some of my favorites. They always come together quickly and, whatever the weather, they are always a hit. This combines chocolate, peanut butter and butterscotch, an incredibly delicious combination of flavors!
These Butterscotch Rice Krispie treats skip the chocolate, but peanut butter and butterscotch together are just a heavenly marriage.
Why this recipe works
- Easy no-bake recipe that you can make in minutes! You melt the ingredients in a saucepan, then simply mix.
- Simple, everyday ingredients you can keep on hand at all times.
- These are a real crowd pleaser, so if you need something for a potluck, trust me, they’ll be gone in no time!
What are Special K Bars
This is a super easy no-bake dessert recipe that has been around for years. I grew up with my aunt bringing them to almost every family function. It’s a chewy bar made with Special K cereal, peanut butter, then topped with melted chocolate and butterscotch chips. A great combo of flavors you didn’t know you needed!
What you will need
- Special K Cereals
- Granulated sugar
- Light corn syrup
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Butterscotch Chips
How to Make Special K Bars
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for full measurements and instructions!
- In a saucepan, melt the sugar and corn syrup over medium heat. You want to stir frequently until it starts bubbling along the edges. You don’t want the mixture to really start boiling, just be on the edge.
- Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour over cereal and toss until well coated.
- Pour into your 13×9-inch baking dish and press into an even layer.
- In a microwave-safe or double-boiler bowl, melt the chocolate chips and caramel chips until smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over bars and spread evenly.
- Let the bars set completely (a few hours) before serving.
Recipe tips
- Use commercial brand, mass-produced peanut butter for this recipe. You want something like Jif or Skippy for this to work. Because you combine it and almost make a candy by boiling it, the naturals that separate just don’t work the same way.
- Have everything measured when you start. It sets up very quickly, and if you let the mixture cook too long your bars will be tough, so make sure you have everything in place so you can work quickly.
- Don’t cook your mix too long, it will make your bars tough and not chewy. You want everything to melt together and just start boiling. As soon as you see bubbles forming along the edges, you’re done. Remove it from the heat and mix it with your cereal.
- I like my bars thick and like to make them in a 13×9 inch pan. So you may notice that the amounts in my recipes are a bit different than what you may have seen or used in the past. Many recipes call for an 8×11 inch pan with fewer ingredients, and let’s say a 13×9 inch pan can work, your bars will just be thinner. Well, I chose the most common pan size and just adjusted my recipe to fill the pan. Also, I use a box full of cereal, so you only have a little left over that ends up being thrown away.
- The mixture will be sticky, you can use nonstick spray on your hands or a spatula to press the cereal mixture into the pan. Another option is to wet your hands slightly, shake off all the excess water, moisten them and squeeze the mixture into the pan.
They are almost the same recipe, the difference is the cereal used. The Special K bars obviously use Special K cereal, while the Scotcharoos use Rice Krispie cereal.
If you keep them covered at room temperature, they will last 5-6 days. They always go away much faster, but they should last almost a week.
They freeze very well too.. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just take them out and let them thaw on the counter before serving.
Technically, you just need a crispy flake cereal to make these bars work. Obviously they get the name because of the cereal used, but cornflakes would work if that’s what you have on hand.
Yield: 24
Special K bars
Special K Bars – classic no-bake bars that are super easy to make! Loaded with peanut butter and topped with chocolate and butterscotch for a delicious flavor combination.
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 10 minutes
Total time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 (9.6 oz box) Special K cereal (about 8 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt the sugar and corn syrup over medium heat. You want to stir frequently until it starts bubbling along the edges. You don’t want the mixture to really start boiling, just be on the edge.
- Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour over cereal and toss until well coated.
- Pour into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and press into an even layer.
- In a microwave-safe or double-boiler bowl, melt the chocolate chips and caramel chips until smooth. If using a microwave, heat in 45 second intervals, stirring after each until melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over bars and spread evenly.
- Let the bars set completely (a few hours) before serving.
Nutrition information
Yield
24
Portion
1
Amount per serving calories 357Total fat 15gSaturated fat 6gtrans fat 0gUnsaturated fats 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 176mgCarbohydrates 55gFiber 2gSugar 44gProtein 6g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a guideline.
I have created a fun group on Facebook, and I would like you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions and see what’s new in Dinners, Mains and Desserts (so you never miss a new recipe)! If you want to check it out, you can ask to join HERE.
Be sure to follow me on instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Do not hesitate to follow me on my social networks to not miss any publication!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | instagram
Did you know that there is a BOUTIQUE for Dinners, Main Courses and Desserts? Check out all of my eBooks and branded products HERE! Or you can buy me a coffee to say thank you!
Welcome to Dinners, Mains & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I am an occasional home cook who enjoys feeding people. On this blog you will find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with my family and friends.
