Yummies Recipe
These Yummies are the best no-bake dessert recipe with layers of chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch flavors. With 15 minutes, you can have a sweet treat ready to bring to any potluck or gathering!
I first had Yummies a couple of years ago when I was living in Texas, a friend brought them to a party and I fell in love. They have all the rich flavors layered into one dessert, and when she told me they were as easy to make as a rice crispy treat, I knew I needed to give them a try.
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With only 7 ingredients, they come together fast with a pot on the stove and the microwave, no oven necessary! It’s the kind of dessert even people who don’t like to bake can easily master. If you are a fan of no-bake treats, my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies and Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are two recipes you’d enjoy.
Table of Contents
What are Yummies?
They’re a dessert from Virginia that’s similar to a no-bake cookie meets a rice krispie treat. Special K cereal is coated in a mixture of peanut butter and marshmallows then topped with a layer of chocolate and butterscotch. Sounds insanely delicious right?
Why you’ll love this recipe
- No-bake dessert anyone can make! If you’ve ever made a rice crispy treat from scratch, you can make Yummies with ease.
- Layers of chocolate and butterscotch goodness. These bars have all of the flavors, peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch.
- A dessert that’s ready in 15 minutes. This is the perfect last minute treat for a party or gathering. And is even great to make in advance.
ingredients
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card
- Salted butter: Adds richness, you can use unsalted too, just add a pinch of salt to the marshmallow mixture.
- Mini marshmallows: Binds the bars together. Be sure to buy mini, they melt at a more even rate than regular-sized marshmallows.
- Chunky peanut butter: Gives richness with a bite of crunch. You can also use creamy if you don’t like chopped peanuts.
- Light corn syrup: Helps create the chewy sauce to bind the cereal into bars. Also adds sweetness.
- Special K original cereal: The classic cereal for Yummies; it’s crunchy and flaky texture is perfect.
- Butterscotch chips: Adds rich caramel notes that pair with the chocolate well.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I like semi-sweet to balance the sweetness of the butterscotch. You could also use dark chocolate or milk chocolate depending on preference.
- Flaky sea salt: A little salt to finish helps to bring out all of the flavors.
Tools You’ll Need
- Spatula
- Large Pot
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- 2 Quart Baking Dish or 9″x9″ Baking Dish or 8″x8″
how to make yummies
- Grease a 9×9-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Place butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir until completely smooth.
- Add the peanut butter and corn syrup, stirring until the mixture is silky and fully blended.
- Take the pot off the heat and gently stir in the Special K until all the cereal is coated.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and press it down into an even layer.
- Combine the butterscotch and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.
- Pour the melted topping over the cereal layer and spread it out evenly.
- Cool 15 minutes. Cut into squares, and sprinkle on flaky sea salt. Allow them to rest another 20-30 minutes to fully set up. Serve and enjoy!
expert tips
- Make sure to heat the base mixture as well as the butterscotch and chocolate chips gradually. Low and slow is the way to go with heat here to prevent any ingredients from seizing, whether its on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Allow the bars to cool and set before serving. This will take about 20-30 minutes, but I promise it’s so worth it for clean slices. Refrigerate for them to harden quicker.
- Gently stir the cereal into the melted base. You don’t want to crush the cereal, so the key is being careful when stirring.
- Swap the cereal. While Special K is signature, you can use cornflakes, crispix, or another flaky-like cereal shape.
- Grease the pan well before beginning the recipe. If you want the bars to release easily after cooling, this is key.
- Avoid natural peanut butter. It will separate once it heats, you want crunchy or regular creamy for best success.
storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the bars too for up 2 months, although I can’t promise they will be as chewy once they thaw.
Making these yummies ahead of time is great since they need to set for at least 20-30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just swap the cereal for a gluten-free cereal of choice.
Make sure you have a good amount of marshmallow-peanut butter sauce to cereal ratio. You want to make sure the cereal is coated nicely so they don’t set being too dry or crunchy.
You can pop them into the fridge after about 5 minutes of cooling if you are in a pinch, but best results cool at room temperature.
more easy dessert recipes
Yummies
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter divided
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 6 cups Special K original cereal
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9×9-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Place butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir until completely smooth.
- Add the peanut butter and corn syrup, stirring until the mixture is silky and fully blended.
- Take the pot off the heat and gently stir in the Special K until all the cereal is coated.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and press it down into an even layer.
- Combine the butterscotch and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.
- Pour the melted topping over the cereal layer and spread it out evenly.
- Cool 15 minutes. Cut into squares, and sprinkle on flaky sea salt. Allow them to rest another 20-30 minutes to fully set up. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure to heat the base mixture as well as the butterscotch and chocolate chips gradually. Low and slow is the way to go with heat here to prevent any ingredients from seizing, whether its on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Allow the bars to cool and set before serving. This will take about 20-30 minutes, but I promise it’s so worth it for clean slices. Refrigerate if you need them to set-up quicker.
- Gently stir the cereal into the melted base. You don’t want to crush the cereal, so the key is being careful when stirring.
- Swap the cereal. While Special K is signature, you can use cornflakes, Crispix, or another flaky-like cereal shape.
- Grease the pan well before beginning the recipe. If you want the bars to release easily after cooling, this is key.
- Avoid natural peanut butter. It will separate once it heats, you want crunchy or regular creamy for best success.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
