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    Serena Lissy » Recipes » Recipes

    Published: Dec 11, 2014 · Modified: Feb 11, 2022 by serena · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Special K Bars

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This year I decided to whip up my 12 days of Christmas cookies and candies for the loved ones. It's a blend of old favorite recipes, and a few new ones I haven't tried before. Day one is an old favorite from my teenage years, called Special K Bars. And when I say old, I mean I found the recipe shoved in a Betty Croker cookbook on a piece of paper, typed, with what appears to be peanut butter stains on it. Not that I'm saying I'm old, but we all know the life cycle of a typewriter. Do they even exist anymore? So for clarification, I know the recipe is old, there was no mention of me being old.

    Special_K_Bars_With_Santa

    "Maybe Christmas, he thought...doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more."  -The Grinch

    It's that time of year for a Special K Bar recipe. December has come and it's time for all the joys of the season. I've always been the kind of person that makes bread for the neighbors, friends, and family, or a plate of cookies for them at Christmas. I've never been much of a shopper. And a shopper at holiday times when every store around is five times as crowded, there is no parking, and everyone is in a hurry and cranky?!?! No thank you!

    I'd much rather sit at home with the holiday music playing, a glass of wine in hand, looking through cookbooks, finding old favorites, and searching out new recipes to try. I then make my list of recipients and I let the baking begin. There is something so satisfying about this to me. I'm doing what I love, for the loved ones in my life. And they usually love the gift of food. It's a win/win unless the loved ones in my life are on a diet this time of year! Let's be honest...there is nothing low fat, gluten free, or reduced calories in my holiday baking.

    These Special K bars are super simple to make. And the flavor of the butterscotch chips blended with chocolate chips on top of the peanut butter and sugars are just delicious. Cut them up into one-inch squares and package them in a Christmas tin or serve them on an inexpensive holiday plate, and they make a great gift. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do, and be sure to save a few for yourself.

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    FAQ

    What can I replace the butterscotch chips with?

    You can easily replace them with more chocolate chips. You could also go with Reeses peanut butter chips. I’d melt those individually and swirl throughout the chocolate. 

    Do I have to use only Special K or is there another cereal that works?

    You could definitely use Corn Flakes instead of Special K.

    I can’t get the peanut butter layer to be even, what can be done?

    For this I usually just go with my hands. I use a glove, and then spray a tiny amount of cooking spray on the gloves and press down. If you don’t have a glove, you could use a ziploc bag. Place your hand in one of those, spray with cooking spray and use that instead of a spatula. 

    Why is it taking so long to cool? I’m hungry now! 

    If you want to speed up the cooling process, you could put the pan in the refrigerator for a half hour, then cut the bars. 

    Is this Special K bar gluten free?

    No, but you could easily make it gluten-free by using gluten free cereal. Natures Path and Nestle have a gluten free corn flake. Kellogg’s had at one time made a gluten free Special K cereal, but I don’t see it on the shelves anymore.

    Special K Bars

    These fool-proof, no-bake special K bars are perfect for any chocolate & peanut butter lover!
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    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 24 Bars
    Calories: 199kcal
    Author: Serena

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup Karo Corn Syrup
    • 1 ½ cup peanut butter
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla
    • 6 cups Special K cereal
    • 1 bag butterscotch chips
    • 1 bag chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Butter a rectangular 13" x 9" cake pan and set aside.
    • Put the Special K cereal in a separate bowl and set aside.
    • Bring sugar and corn syrup to boil in a medium sized saucepan.
    • Once boiling, add peanut butter and vanilla and stir until melted.
    • Pour the sugar mixture over the cereal and stir to coat.
    • Pour the cereal mixture into the cake pan and spread with a spatula to cover the cake pan
    • Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in a double boiler. Once melted pour over the cereal mixture and let set until hardened.

    Notes

    Recipe Source: SerenaLissy.com
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database via Spoonacular API, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators. While this information can be helpful in estimating the nutritional information of a recipe, it is by no means accurate or official and is not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
    All images and content are copyright protected. Do not use our images without prior permission.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Bar | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @SerenaLissy or tag #serenalissy!
    Special_K_Bars_Plated

    This post contains affiliate links. Which means that Amazon may give us a few pennies if you purchase one of the items.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria Katsulos says

      December 21, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      Just when I thought I couldn't love Special K anymore than I already do! Love this recipe!!

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 22, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Lori Geurin says

      December 21, 2017 at 1:42 pm

      These bars look so yummy! You can't go wrong with the peanut butter and chocolate combo. I used to bake a lot but now rarely do. Our kids love to bake so I've let them take over in this department. Thanks for this great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Kansas Bonanno says

      December 21, 2017 at 7:37 am

      I love baking too, it's one of the most fun parts of the holidays. I remember growing up my grandmas always ways used to make all kinds of candy and sweet treats to give as presents. Hopefully one day it will be something fun I can do with my kiddos.

      Reply
    4. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      December 21, 2017 at 4:20 am

      These look absolutely delicious and like the perfect gift for friends and family

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 21, 2017 at 7:27 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    5. Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated says

      December 21, 2017 at 12:52 am

      I LOVE homemade versions of shop-bought stuff! The thick chocolate layer on top looks amazing.

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 21, 2017 at 7:25 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    6. Tiffany says

      December 21, 2017 at 12:20 am

      These look incredible!! I am like you around the holidays...I'd rather bake gifts because cooking is my love language. I have a refrigerator full of cracker candy as we speak!

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 21, 2017 at 7:28 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    7. Julie says

      December 20, 2017 at 11:40 pm

      I grew up making these bars with my Mom. So delicious!

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 21, 2017 at 7:25 am

        Me too. Still love them 🙂

        Reply
    8. Luci's Morsels says

      December 20, 2017 at 10:36 pm

      These look amazing! I have to try these ASAP! Yummy!

      Reply
      • serena says

        December 21, 2017 at 7:25 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    9. Brenda Marshall says

      January 09, 2017 at 4:36 pm

      You made these at home and they sure were good

      Reply

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