Fun & Easy Halloween Scotcheroos

These fun and easy Halloween scotcheroos are the perfect no-bake holiday treat! Peanut butter, butterscotch cereal treats topped with melted chocolate. White chocolate and candy eyes makes fun ghosts that elevate these classic bars! Scotcheroos are similar to rice krispie treats, just instead of using marshmallows the cereal is combined with peanut butter. Kids and adults will love these at your next Halloween gathering!

If you like this no-bake recipe try my Halloween Pudding Dirt Cups Recipe or Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats for another quick holiday treat. These scotcheroos are perfect for Halloween parties or last minute events. If needed, substitute sun butter for a peanut-free treat!

Find all of my Holiday Recipes here for more inspiration! Adding the simple white chocolate ghosts to these bars turns these from an everyday dessert to a spooky themed one. Make sure to grab a bag of candy eyes to make your Halloween bars even more fun, or use a dot of melted chocolate.

Highlights of The No-Bake Dessert

• Simple ingredients: these bars are made with rice cereal, peanut butter, honey, sugar, and vanilla. Top them with melted chocolate and butterscotch chips and that’s it! These are such a simple dessert to make, especially for a large group.
• No-bake: what’s not to love about a no-bake recipe! The bars are combined on the stove-top in a large Dutch oven and the chocolate can be melted in the microwave. No need to turn on the oven for these dessert bars.
• Make ahead: make these spooky scotcheroos ahead of time so they are ready for an event or party. Bars can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in the fridge, allow to come to room temperature before serving. Keep in mind, the cereal mix may dry out a bit if the mix is stored in the fridge for too long.
• Fun for kids: adults and kids will love these adorable bars, they can be decorated with different colored sprinkles or extra candy eyes. Even chop up your favorite Halloween candy and sprinkle over top. Use melted chocolate to create other shapes like pumpkins or candy corn.

Halloween treats are so fun, especially when they can be decorated. Candy eyes can elevate basically any treat into a spooky themed dessert! If you like these bars, try making my Marshmallow Dream Rice Krispies for another easy no-bake dessert.

Whip up several different Halloween sweet treats and serve them on a large platter or make mini Halloween goodie bags for guests! Find all of my Dessert Recipes here for more recipe inspiration!

Ingredient List & Substitutions

This dessert recipe is made with simple ingredients, several you probably already have in your pantry. See below for any available substitutions:

• Cereal: rice krispies or any rice cereal are traditionally used in the recipe. You could also use corn flakes or plain cheerios.
• Peanut butter: I prefer creamy peanut butter here but you could also use crunchy peanut butter. Keep in mind all-natural peanut butter may not melt as smoothly.
• Granulated sugar: I do not recommend swapping any other type of sugar for this recipe. Other sugars can impact the bars texture differently.
• Honey: I like to use honey in my bars instead of corn syrup. Maple syrup will work as a substitute.
• Vanilla extract: use homemade or store-bought vanilla extract, almond extract can be added for additional flavor is desired.
• Chocolate chips: any kind of chocolate chips will work, semi-sweet, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips. You will also need white chocolate for the ghosts.
• Coconut oil: adding in a bit of coconut oil when melting chocolate chips helps stop them from seizing up but adding in addition fat. Butter will work as a substitute.
• Butterscotch chips: these are classic in scotcheroos, they add just the right flavor. If you cannot find them, just used additional chocolate chips.
• Decorations: candy eyes and sprinkles add a fun Halloween touch, add any desired toppings or decorations.

How to Make the Halloween Scotcheroos

Let’s talk a little about how to make the Fun & Easy Halloween Scotcheroos (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Combine rice cereal with the peanut butter mixture, press into a 8×8 pan.
• Top with the melted chocolate mixture, smooth, and let set.
• Dollop on white chocolate to make the ghosts and design as desired.
• Top with candy eyes and sprinkles. Slice and enjoy.

1. In a 4qt. saucepan or Dutch oven combine peanut butter, sugar, honey, and vanilla. Heat over medium-high heat until melted and sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly 4-5 minutes.
2. Line an 8″x8″ baking pan with parchment paper. Add rice cereal to a large mixing bowl.
3. Pour peanut butter mixture over the cereal and gently fold to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking pan and press down evenly.

4. In a microwave safe bowl combine semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and butter or coconut oil. Melt in 30 second intervals until smooth, stirring each time. Pour melted chocolate over the bars, smooth in an even layer. Do not let the chocolate layer set completely before adding the ghosts.

5. In a microwave safe bowl combine white chocolate chips and butter or coconut oil. Melt in 30 second intervals until smooth, stirring each time.

6. Dollop white chocolate around the bars and use a toothpick to swirl ghost shapes while chocolate is still soft. Add candy eyes and sprinkles if desired. Allow to chill until set, about an hour. Slice with a sharp knife and enjoy!

More Fun Treats & Desserts

• Halloween Pudding Dirt Cups Recipe – another fun, no-bake holiday dessert.
• Marshmallow Dream Rice Krispies – a classic, use up you leftover rice cereal and make these!
• Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie Brownie Bars – utilize store-bought shortcuts to make these delicious dessert bars.
• Nutella Oatmeal Cookies Recipe – classic chewy oatmeal cookies with a chocolatey spin.

Tools I Use For This No-Bake Dessert

• Rubber Spatula – a must have! I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.
• USA Pan 8 inch Square Pan – another USA Pan product I love! The corners of my bars and cakes never stick and I love the squared of edges this pan creates.
• Parchment Paper – parchment paper is such a versatile item to keep on hand. I use this to line my pans for easy removal.
• Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!

Tips for Decorating

• Let chocolate layer set up a little but not all the way before adding the ghosts.
• Use a toothpick or skewer to create the ghost arms and tail.
• Add sprinkles before chocolate hardens completely.
• Clean your knife in between cuts when slicing the bars.

Storage

These scotcheroos can be stored in an airtight container or zip top bag for 3-4 days. They can be kept in the fridge (recommended) or at room temperature.

Recipe FAQs

What are scotcheroos made of?

Basically a no-bake peanut butter rice krispie treat, these are made with rice cereal that is combined with a melted peanut butter and honey mixture. Topped with melted chocolate and butterscotch chips. This recipe doesn’t use any corn syrup.

How to get perfect chocolate ghosts?

Start with a medium sized dollop of melted white chocolate and use a toothpick or skewer to gently drag out arms and a ghost tail. Clean your toothpick between turns to keep the chocolate clean. Finish the ghost by smoothing with a spoon. Add candy eyes or melted dark chocolate for the eyes.

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would appreciate if you left a star rating on the recipe card above or a comment below sharing your experience! I value your feedback, it would also mean a lot if you could share this recipe or my website with friends or loved ones. Cheers!