Two weeks ago I posted these easy, 3-ingredient cookie dough dessert bites and I stated that they are my favorite no-bake, healthy treat. Now, as I write this post, I need to retract that statement. If I am to be 100% honest I must admit that these 5-ingredient peanut butter and chocolate crunch cookies, better know as special k or Scotcharoo cookies, officially take the cake when it comes to no-bake desserts.
Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t come up with this recipe sooner. Or maybe I should be glad it’s taken me this long because they are so easy to make, but so hard not to eat the entire batch.
I think my first batch of these cookies lasted two days in our house. I mean I did share one of them with a friend so there’s that…but the other 11 cookies, yea, that was all me and the hubs. I’m not saying we’re proud of it, but we have a weakness for special k bars, also known in Minnesota as Scotcharoo bars {is that a nation-wide term or just a Midwest term?!}.
To give you a better picture of how much we love Scotcharoos I must share this photo from our wedding {I can’t believe this was almost two years ago already}.
Yes, instead of cake we served gigantic Scotcharoo bars at our wedding. And to this day whenever a friend brings up our wedding they always mention the massive Scotcharoo bars, so clearly it was a great idea.
But I’ve always struggled with all the unnecessary syrup and sugar additives in Scotcharoo bars. So I was on a mission to create a healthier version. Then my mission ran short on time and I decide to try making them a no-bake cookie instead of a bar. And that’s how these utterly-delicious, crispy, crunch, yet ooey and gooey peanut butter and chocolate crunch cookies were created.
Only five, wholesome ingredients in these no-bake cookies — peanut butter, honey, corn flakes, chocolate chips and coconut oil. I accomplished my goal of removing the unnecessary corn syrup and sugar!
And I used Love Grown Foods Bean Flakes instead of standard corn flakes to remove any additional unnecessary additives {like sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid}. Unlike traditional corn flakes, Love Grown Bean Flakes are made with navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans, brown rice, white rice, dried cane syrup, salt, and vitamin E.
So now you can enjoy a healthier, and even more delicious {in my opinion} version of special k and scotcharoo bars. The best part, they are no-bake and take only 10 minutes make. Although they are best when served after being refrigerated for 30 plus minutes.
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West coaster living in the mid west! When my friends mentioned ” yay, scotcharoos!” at a recent party I just sat there with a blank look on my face. I now love them and can’t wait to make these.
I had the same response with things like hot dish and Uker.
Hi Lauren! Thanks so much for your message — see I though Scotcharoo may have just been a Midwest thing…but I’m glad you’ve been acquainted with them, because they are DELICIOUS! And I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Happy Holiday’s! xo-Lindsey
I was born and raised in Southern California and make scotcharoos every year with my grandma. I have been looking for a healthier version and can’t wait to try these!
Hi Meredith! I love it, what a great tradition to have with your grandma! Yes, you gotta give these ‘no-bake cookie Scotcharoos’ a try; they are amazing and no syrups or sugars added so they are much healthier! You’ll have to let me know what you think! Enjoy! xo-Lindsey
Maybe it’s a mid-west thing, because I’ve never heard of them! I have lived all over the west coast and they are new to me!
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for sharing…I thought it might just be a Midwest term so thanks for sharing your insights. Regardless, I hope you’re still willing to give this cookie recipe a try (I promise you won’t regret it)! Enjoy! xo-Lindsey
i forgot how much i loved SCOTCHEROOS!!!!! yay!
and i’m from New England…
headed to the kitchen to make these ASAP…
xoxo
Meg! Right?! I mean there really isn’t anything better than a good Scotcharoo (which I’m glad you’ve heard the term as well)! I hope you love these cookies as much as I do! Enjoy! xo-Lindsey
OH THis post has me jumping for joy..Literally. Every year from Christmas my grandma made us cookies as a present and every single year I wanted Chocolate Scotcheroos !!!!! She has been gone two years now, and I have not attempted to make them myself yet. However this recipe is something I can try. I am so happy that you posted this. This is great timing, and one of my favorite all time treats as well!!
Also, I LOVE that you guys had these at your wedding! Such a creative and unique idea!!! !!!
Amber! I’m so glad you were as excited about this post as I was! I mean there really isn’t anything better than a Scotcharoo bar (except theses Scotcharoo cookies)! I can’t wait to hear what you think once you make the cookies; hopefully you’re flooded with positive memories of your grandma :). Thanks so much for sharing and enjoy! xo-Lindsey
ALSO. I have always known them to be chocolate scotcheroos as well, but I am in Kansas – so also a Midwesterner! I am curious if it is just us as well!
And so far from what I’ve heard it sounds like Scotcharoo really is just a midwest term….