Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares – Confetti Squares
These Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares – AKA Confetti Squares are one of my favourite nostalgic childhood treats. Creamy peanut butter and butterscotch chips mixed in with rainbow coloured marshmallows are truly a match made in heaven!
**This post was originally published December 13, 2017 and updated July 30, 2024**
PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW SQUARES
You know that dessert your grandma brought to every potluck in the ’90s that somehow disappeared in five seconds flat?
Yep, we’re talking about Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares—the ultimate no-bake, gooey, rainbow-hued butterscotch mixture blast from the past.
These babies are chewy, sweet, salty, and colorful—basically, everything you could ever want in a dessert. You only need a handful of ingredients (and no oven), which means they’re dangerously easy to whip up at any time.
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW SQUARES RECIPE -AKA CONFETTI SQUARES
You will need the following ingredients listed below to make these peanut butter butterscotch marshmallow squares (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post):
- Peanut Butter (Creamy or Crunchy) – for this recipe my grandmother used to always use creamy peanut butter. Can also use natural peanut butter, unsalted peanut butter, or crunchy peanut butter.
- Butterscotch Chips – I typically use the Chipits butterscotch chips. There are lower sugar options like Lilys butterscotch candies, and I’m sure you could also find vegan butterscotch chips as well! Some individuals who have tested out this recipe have also substituted some of the butterscotch chips for regular chocolate chips to cut down the sweetness.
- Butter – regular unsalted butter. You could try this recipe using vegan butter as well if you like or if you’re sensitive to dairy.
- Rainbow Marshmallows – can also use regular mini white marshmallows.
- Vanilla extract
- Optional – Rice Krispies for a crunch, brown sugar, dark chocolate chips, coconut, etc.
HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER CONFETTI SQUARES
In a large pot over medium-low heat, combine the butterscotch chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir frequently until the mixture is completely melted.
Let cool, and fold in marshmallows and vanilla extract quickly. I like to throw my marshmallows in the freezer for 10 minutes before this step to prevent them from melting all together.
Pour the mixture into a lined 8×8 or 9×9 inch square pan and spread evenly. Refrigerate for 1 hour minimum to set, then cut into bars. Store in refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container (I actually prefer my confetti bars straight from the freezer).
Pro Tip: Freeze your marshmallows first. This keeps them from melting when mixed with the warm peanut butter mixture.
Serve them cold or frozen – the peanut butter + chilled marshmallow combo is unreal. Trust me, they’re even better straight from the freezer instead of room temperature.
CAN I USE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER INSTEAD OF SMOOTH IN THESE NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW SQUARES?
Yes! Crunchy peanut butter will give the squares a little extra texture and nutty bite. Smooth peanut butter makes them creamier, so it really comes down to preference.
CAN I FREEZE THESE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW BARS?
Absolutely. Cut them into squares, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll last up to 2–3 months. Just thaw at room temp before eating.
WHY ARE MY MINI MARSHMALLOWS MELTING?
If the peanut butter mixture is too hot when you add the marshmallows, they’ll melt into the squares. To avoid this, let the mixture cool slightly before folding in the marshmallows.
Other Easy Recipes To Curb A Sweet Tooth!
- 3 Ingredient Funfetti Cake Pops
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bites
- 5 Ingredient Easy Biscoff Cheesecake
- Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Millionaire Bars
- Christmas Cookie Fudge Recipe
- Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
- Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies
- The Best Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treat
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package butterscotch chips 300g package (I used Chipits)
- 1 cup crunchy or creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter
- 1 package rainbow miniature marshmallows 250g package
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Put bag of marshmallows in the freezer and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, and let cool to ensure the marshmallows don't melt in next step.
- Quickly fold in vanilla and marshmallows.
- Spread mixture into 8×8 or 9x9 inch pan and gently spread with a spatula or spoon.
- Refrigerate until firm. Approximately 1 hour.
- Remove from pan and slice into squares. Store squares in refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
Although this is traditionally an Xmas treat, I always keep a tray on hand in the freezer. I have made this a hundred times. Simple , no fail and GF. My boys are mad for this treat. Once it sets I cut it in squares in the tray and move it all to a zip lock bag along with the parchment lining to the freezer. Pieces only take minutes to thaw but the whole tray is a great send along treat when guesting (or pull out when the guys are over). The one thing I have found: I have made this in canada and in the US. US ingredients are WAY sweeter and makes the treat too sweet. I will work on a less sweet American version this winter.
I ❤️ them I make them all the time
These are so nostalgic!! Can’t wait to make these at Christmas time!
These are the best holiday dessert ever. We make them every year!!
These are the best holiday dessert ever. We make them every year and they are always a number 1 hit. LOVE THIS RECIPE!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I tried them and I also added some rice Crispies as per your suggestion and we LOVE them…we couldn’t stop eating them! They were so easy to make and freeze so well, I will be making some more for Christmas!!
Thank you so much for sharing this family recipe!! I added rice crispies as per your suggestion and we LOVE these squares! So easy to make, we couldn’t stop eating them and these freeze so nicely! I will be making more batches for Christmas….they will be a big hit!! Thank you!
I look forward to making this recipe every holiday season.
I don’t normally eat a lot of dessert but I thought I would give these a try for my Xmas party and they were a hit! Everyone said how delicious they are and I have to agree! They were so easy to make and they do taste so good!! I will definitely be making these again! So sweet and so delicious! Thank you for posting this recipe!!
I’ve been searching for the recipe that my mom used to make. This is very close! I add crushed up pretzels into the mixture to create a crunch factor.
My Mom put Rice Krispies in hers ❤️
Yummmmmm
Yummmmmmm
Yes you definitely can use coconut oil instead of butter 😊 You don’t lose the creaminess as the peanut butter takes over for that. FYI I sprinkled crushed salted caramel peanuts on top before I put them in the fridge and omg…to die for😋 Thanks for the perfect recipe, most people don’t add the helpful tips: letting it cool first etc. So much appreciation to the author!
My aunt used to make these during the holidays when I was young. They’re one of my favorite sweets still. Although I can’t make them too often as I’m the one in the house with a sweet tooth!
Made this with my grandson on the weekend. The recipe was simple and easy for a 5 year old to read. They turned out great. My grandson said he did a really good job. Of course I agreed. 😉
Hi Ginny,
This makes me so incredibly happy to hear!! 🙂
Easy to follow directions and such a dreamy tasty peanut butter treat
Absolutely delicious and beyond easy to make. 10/10
I only had chocolate chips and white marshmallows and they were still delicious 😋