Special K Bars

Quick and easy No Bake Special K Bars are a favorite chocolate and peanut butter treat! Chewy, ooey, gooey peanut butter cereal bars that are topped with an easy chocolate and butterscotch frosting. These are perfect for bake sales, potlucks, a treat after school and so much more.

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I am all about the easy dessert bars, and there’s nothing I love more than a no-bake cereal bar! These Special K bars are definitely a favorite – if you like Scotcheroos and Rice Krispies treats, you are going to love them!

I love to make these for all kinds of occasions – they’re great for potlucks and parties. I’ve made them for bake sales and the kid love to have them for after school snacks. They’re also great for the kids soccer games or other sports practices as a special treat.

No need to turn on the oven for these no bake bars. You’re going to love how easy they are to make.

What Are Special K Bars?

This sweet treat is a no-bake dessert bar you make with Kellogg’s Special K cereal. They are made with peanut butter and topped with a butterscotch and chocolate topping. Each bite is a crispy, chewy, sweet treat.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe!

• It’s so easy to make, literally 15 minutes and you are done! Won’t take much time at all.
• These delicious special K bars are no bake, so if it’s hot out you don’t need to turn your oven on. A wonderful summer dessert!
• This recipe uses basic pantry staple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand so you can make these any time you want.

Ingredients for Special K Bars

• White sugar: Sweeten these chewy special K bars with some granulated white sugar.
• Light corn syrup: This will add sweetness to the cereal bars and also helps to bind them together. The corn syrup also gives the bars a soft and chewy texture.
• Creamy peanut butter: I prefer to use creamy peanut butter but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you want to add a little more texture to the bars.
• Vanilla extract: Add more depth of flavor to these special K bars with some vanilla extract.
• Special K Cereal: I highly recommend using this brand of cereal, but you can make them with plain corn flakes, too.
• Butterscotch chips: Melt one cup butterscotch chips with chocolate to create the best creamy topping.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: You can use a different chocolate if you prefer! Milk chocolate and dark chocolate would both be great.

How to Make Special K Bars

Make the peanut butter mixture: In a large saucepan, heat one cup sugar and the corn syrup over medium-low heat. Stir frequently and don’t let the mixture boil. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the peanut butter and vanilla. Stir to combine and remove the pan from the heat.

Make the bar mixture: Pour the cereal into a large bowl and add the peanut butter mixture to the cereal. Gently stir to coat the cereal evenly in the peanut butter. Then transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer.

Make the topping: Place the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them for one minute and stir. Microwave them again in 10 to 15-minute increments, or until melted and smooth. Spread the chocolate mixture over the bars in the pan.

Chill: Place the pan into the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes or until the topping is firm. Then cut into bars and serve!

How to Store Leftover Special K Bars

They will store well for up to a week at room temperature in an airtight storage container in a cool, dry place.

FRIDGE: You can also keep them in the fridge, but keep in mind that they will harden and will need to sit at room temperature to soften. You can also freeze them!

FREEZER: Place leftovers into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely before eating.

What is the difference between scotcheroos and Special K bars?

Scotcheroos are made with Rice Krispies cereal and Special K bars are made with Special K cereal. They are pretty similar, but the taste and texture is a bit different.

Why are my Special K bars hard?

The key to soft and chewy bars is to not overcook the sugar and corn syrup mixture. You want to heat it but not let it boil, so keep an eye on it and adjust the heat if necessary.

If you keep them in the refrigerator they will also harden, so it’s a good idea to let them sit out at room temperature to soften before serving them.

Ready to make a batch of these easy Special K bars? The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch with the crispy cereal is the best! They will be a hit with the kids and the adults – I can promise you that. Enjoy!

More No-Bake Recipes

• Cereal Bars with Cheerios, M&Ms, and peanuts are a super easy dessert bar that takes less than 30 minutes to make.
• For a great snack, make a batch of Peanut Butter Granola Bars. No baking required!
• Cheerio Bars are super easy and perfect for potlucks, sports snacks, or anytime!
• These No Bake Cookies are a favorite sweet treat and great for any occasion.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

4.95 from 56 votes

Special K Bars

Easy no bake peanut butter cereal bars that are so delicious! These Special K Bars are soft, chewy and perfect.

Prep:5 minutes mins

Cook:10 minutes mins

Total:15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup white sugar
• ▢ 1 ¼ cups light corn syrup
• ▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ 2 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 6 cup Special K Cereal
• ▢ 1 cup butterscotch chips
• ▢ 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

• Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Combine sugar and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Do not bring to a boil. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
• Put cereal in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter mixture; stir until thoroughly coated. Press onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
• Microwave butterscotch morsels and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute; stir. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth. Spread over cereal mixture.
• Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes or until the topping is firm. Cut into bars.

Tips

*If you want a thicker bar use a smaller pan like a 8 x 11 inch baking dish. It will give you a thicker bar and thicker frosting.

Why are my Special K bars hard?

The key to soft and chewy bars is not overcooking the sugar and corn syrup mixture. You want to heat it but not let it boil, so keep an eye on it and adjust the heat if necessary.

If you keep them in the refrigerator they will also harden, so it’s a good idea to let them sit out at room temperature to soften before serving them.

How long do the keep?

They will keep well for up to a week at room temperature. You can keep them in the fridge, too, but they will harden and will need to sit at room temperature to soften. You can also freeze them!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 702kcal (35%), Carbohydrates: 136g (45%), Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 838mg (36%), Potassium: 353mg (10%), Fiber: 5g (21%), Sugar: 60g (67%), Vitamin A: 1714IU (34%), Vitamin C: 20mg (24%), Calcium: 27mg (3%), Iron: 29mg (161%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.