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Easy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

ByBailey Published
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These classic Butterscotch Peanut Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow 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! 

best ever peanut butter butterscotch squares

These No Bake Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares are from my repertoire of my Grandma Yvette’s recipes, she was the baking and cooking queen! Having treats ready for company at any time was really common in my grandma’s house. 

If you stopped by there would always be a fresh batch of her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, her mouth watering Gluten Free Lemon Poppyseed Muffins, her amazing 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls or these Peanut Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow Squares!

I’m actually not the biggest fan of butterscotch. But when it comes to these bars, I AM OBSESSED.

I’m convinced it has something to do with the salt in the peanut butter, which makes the butterscotch less sweet and butterscotch-y. Instead all I taste is creamy, marshmallow goodness!

This recipe goes by a lot of different names. Peanut butter marshmallow bars, confetti squares, confetti bars, no bake goodie bars, etc.

Whatever you choose to call them, they are extremely popular to make during the holiday season! Always one of my favorite no bake treats around Christmas time.

easy no bake peanut butter marshmallow square recipe

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE BUTTERSCOTCH CONFETTI SQUARES

You’re going to absolutely love this Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares recipe. 

First off, they’re incredibly easy to make – you just need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. 

The combination of smooth peanut butter and fluffy marshmallows creates this amazing, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s so satisfying. Plus, they’ve got that perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes them totally addictive. 

Whether you’re looking for a special treat to whip up for a party or just something fun to snack on at home, these squares are a real crowd-pleaser. 

Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a go-to favorite. They’re also great for making with kids because there’s no baking involved, just some mixing and chilling. 

Give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!

5 ingredient peanut butter butterscotch marshmallow bars

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE NO BAKE SQUARES

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make these delicious squares (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the end 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, crunchy peanut butter, organic peanut butter or good old fashioned jif 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 – my grandmother always used 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 – rainbow mini marshmallows recipes have to be the best recipes around. You are more than welcome to use regular mini white marshmallows for this no bake bar, but it might not be as fun! 
  • Vanilla extract – because it just adds a little something something to marshmallow dessert recipes!
  • Optional – Rice Krispies for a crunch, brown sugar, dark chocolate chips, etc.

easy peanut butter confetti bar recipe

KITCHEN TOOLS REQUIRED

HOW TO MAKE

  1. In a large pot over medium-low heat, combine the butterscotch chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir frequently until the mixture is completely melted.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 (I actually prefer my peanut butter squares straight from the freezer).

    marshmallow fudge dessert recipe

    TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

    • Typically before I start making these butterscotch peanut butter marshmallow squares, I throw the bag of marshmallows in the freezer. This way the marshmallows don’t melt when the peanut butter mixture is still slightly warm and hits them.
    • Not only does refrigerating them help them firm up faster so you can eat them faster, but these squares taste way better cold. The combination of peanut butter with the cold marshmallows is just a match made in heaven!
    • Believe it or not, these are even BETTER when they are frozen.
    • I like using crunchy peanut butter for this recipe because it gives the bars a nice crunch. Also ensure to use a tasty peanut butter, preferably a salted one for this recipe!
    • The combo of the salt from the peanut butter and sweetness from the melted butterscotch chips is amazing.
    • It’s a quick recipe that comes together within 5 minutes and probably takes about 2-3 hours to set before you can cut them into bars. But you can speed up the cooling time by sticking the bars in the fridge!
    • Or if you live in a cold climate like me, stick them outside or on your porch, which acts as a second fridge all winter season.

    STORING LEFTOVER PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

    1. Airtight Container: Place the squares in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
    2. Layering: If you need to stack the squares, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.
    3. Refrigerate: Store the container in the refrigerator. The squares will stay fresh for up to a week.
    4. Freeze for Longer Storage: For longer storage, you can freeze the squares. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes.

    best ever 5 ingredient peanut butter marshmallow recipe

    FAQS

    DO I REALLY NEED TO LET THE MIXTURE COOL BEFORE ADDING MARSHMALLOWS?

    Yes, let the mixture cool slightly to prevent the marshmallows from melting completely.

    ARE THESE TREATS SUITABLE FOR SUMMER MONTHS?

    Yes, they are perfect for summer as they don’t require baking.

    WHAT MAKES THESE SO PERFECT FOR PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS?

    The rich, creamy peanut butter base makes these squares a perfect treat for peanut butter enthusiasts.

    CAN I MAKE THESE SQUARES AHEAD OF TIME?

    Yes, you can make them a day or two in advance. Just store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

    CAN I ADD OTHER MIX-INS TO THE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW SQUARES?

    Absolutely! Feel free to add other mix-ins like chopped nuts, Rice Krispies, dried fruit, or even crushed pretzels for added texture and flavor.

    Other Easy Recipes To Curb A Sweet Tooth!

    Note: This post may contain affiliate links, so you can conveniently find the ingredients you need to make the peanut butter confetti squares.

    Yield: 20 pieces

    No Bake Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

    No Bake Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

    These classic Butterscotch Peanut Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow 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!

    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Chill Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 package butterscotch chips, 300g package (I used Chipits)
    • 1 cup crunchy or creamy peanut butter
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1 package rainbow miniature marshmallows, 250g package
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Put bag of marshmallows in the freezer and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
    2. 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.
    3. Quickly fold in vanilla and marshmallows.
    4. Spread mixture into 8×8 or 9x9 inch pan and gently spread with a spatula or spoon.
    5. Refrigerate until firm. Approximately 1 hour.
    6. Remove from pan and slice into squares. Store squares in refrigerator or freezer.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    20

    Serving Size:

    1 grams
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g

    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.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

    © admin
    Cuisine: American / Category: Christmas

    IF YOU TRIED THESE BUTTERSCOTCH SQUARES PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THESE PAYDAY BARS ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails

    bailey

    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…

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    118 Comments

    1. My grandmother used to make these every Christmas as well! I never ended up getting the recipe. Just made these are they taste JUST like them. Thank you so much for this recipe it’s amazing and makes me so happy!!!

      Reply
    2. Tehwauna Harris says:

      Love this recipe so easy and super yummy

      Reply

      1. Hi Tehwauna,

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! So glad you love them!! 🙂

    3. Love this. I added a few handfuls of corn flakes to mop up the extra sauce and cut the sweetness a bit. Nice crunch.

      Reply

      1. I love this substitution! My grandmother actually used to do that with these occasionally too! Great minds think alike 😉

      2. Karen Rutledge says:

        Great recipe; my Gramma also added 1 cup coconut which was very nice. The vanilla is great too Meet Christmas everyone!

      3. Hi Karen,

        That sounds delicious! Thank you for the review! 🙂

      4. Judith Drouin says:

        My Grandmother also always made these for Christmas with the cocoanut. Now I make them at Christmas time, my Granddaughter loves these, the only treat will eat.

      5. Making for my daughter, she loves them. My mom used to make them but put coconut and walnuts in them but my daughter doesn’t want walnuts. Thanks for the recipe

      6. Hi Kathy!

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! I’m so glad your daughter enjoyed the recipe! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! 🙂

      7. I have been using your great recipe for a while now and love them!
        What do you think of a chocolate chip butterscotch chip combo? Would it work or do they have too much of a contrast taste.
        Thank you
        Tony

      8. Hi Tony!

        My grandmother used to make some with solely semi sweet chocolate chips instead of the butterscotch chips. We all agreed as a family that the butterscotch ones are better, but chocolate ones are still good! A combo might be really tasty! Let me know if you try it and your thoughts! 🙂

      9. Thanks for the idea Karen.. I’ve made it a few times and it always turned out great!!.. then I seen that you added corn flakes, and thought that would add a little crunch.. I didn’t have corn flakes, but I had rice crispies… good idea!!!

      10. Hi Darwin,

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! Love that addition you made! 🙂

    4. Christine says:

      Loved how these turned out. I added Rice Krispies.

      Reply

      1. So glad you loved them Christine! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a 5 star review it is SO appreciated! 🙂

    5. M.R. S. Lungal says:

      Terrific recipe! Loved the hint about putting the colored marshmallows into the freezer for 1/2 hour or so before so they don’t melt in the peanut butter mixture. I put my hot pan into a sink of very cold water, just a few inches, and then kept stirring, added the vanilla and the marshmallows when the mixture got a bit cooler, and put into the 9 x 9 ” pan lined with parchment paper. Then into the fridge for an hour – and they are absolutely delicious! I cut into 25 squares, and even at that size, they could be smaller. Extremely sweet !

      Reply

      1. I appreciate the 5 star review and your comment so so much! Thank you!! 🙂

      2. Mia Warwick says:

        I find them sweet as well, I use mini muffin pans with liners, I get more portions and they are the perfect bite sized treat

      3. Hi Mia,

        This is a great idea! Thank you for the 5 star review!!

      4. I absolutely love these, I like to use real butter and kraft smooth peanut butter, and the butterscotch chips with coloured marshmallows.
        I have tried using chocolate chips and I didn’t like it as much, also I have used margarine and no name peanut butter, but not to my liking.
        I all for the melt in your mouth, sweetness.
        Thank you for sharing your recipe

      5. Hi Donna,

        Thanks so much for sharing and for the 5 star review! I agree, I don’t like them as much with chocolate chips either. So glad you enjoy them!!

    6. Omg!! My momma makes these and this recipe is a copycat ! 5 stars!!

      Reply

      1. Thank you so so much Kayleen! I used to make this recipe with my grandmother all the time so it’s also very nostalgic for me! 🙂

      2. I totally forgot the vanilla 😢 in fridge rite now hopefully Thier still yummy! Was so excited to find this recipe reminds me of Christmas years ago with my gramma!

      3. Hi Lisa,

        So funny, that’s exactly what this recipe reminds me of too! So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the 5 star review!! 🙂

      4. Linda Penner says:

        I’ve been looking for this recipe ever since I tasted them about 2 weeks ago. They are delicious. I can now make them for my tray of goodies an after dinner treat. My family never seems to want dessert after Christmas dinner, so I thought a tray of smaller treats would hit the spot! Thank you for the freezer tips of the marshmallows, before and after the bars are made.

      5. Hi Linda,

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! They are always so popular on dessert trays!! So glad the freezer tip helped you, Happy Holidays!! 🙂

    7. Awesome!!!
      Thajk you f9r the tip about freezing the marshmallows

      Reply

      1. No problem at all! Thank YOU so much for the 5 star review!

    8. These are just like my Baba’s…only I’ve had to use white marshmallows instead of the yummy coloured ones! ❤❤Still delicious tho’ !!!

      Reply

      1. Hi Velda!

        Thank you so so much for your 5 star review and I’m so glad to hear that you liked them!! 🙂

    9. Pamela Belland says:

      Awesome! I loved them! So easy to make and they taste just like my grandma used to make them! They bring back so many good memories!❤️

      Reply

    10. I use mini muffin tins lined with festive papers, they are perfect and bite sized. Traditional Christmas treats.

      Reply
    11. Brittany Bakaas says:

      Had tons of fun making this with my kids. Simple yet absolutely delicious 😋 😍

      Reply

      1. Hi Brittany,

        So glad to hear! Thank you for the amazing review!! 🙂

      1. Hi Marg!

        Yes you sure can! I actually prefer to eat them out of the freezer!! 🙂

    13. My husband and I ❤ them. I do cut them in small pieces. Next time will add some Rice Krispies. Soooo easy to make.

      Reply

      1. Hi Elaine,

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! So glad you enjoyed them as much as I do!!

      2. My son and I are using salted caramel chips and adding broken pretzels. They are oh so yummy!

      3. YUM!!! This sounds amazing!!!

    14. Love these happy to make them for my family as they were a favorite growing up. I even managed to snag the last bag of coloured marshmallows from the store. That being said instead of butterscotch chips I used peanut butter chips they have the same texture but not as sweet perfect!

      Reply

    15. My daughter and I just made this recipe. My mom and I used to make peanut butter squares when I was her age. They turned out amazing!!! We are very happy

      Reply

      1. Hi Abigale!

        I’m SO happy to hear this!! Thank you for the 5 star review!!

    16. Just the recipe I’m looking for. My sister-in-law usually supplies them for me but she has been a little slack lately. We love the frozen. Glad to know we aren’t crazy. Thanks. Definitely a five star

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much Ruth!!

    17. Love this recipe and thanks for the idea of adding rice krispies or cornflakes!

      Reply

      1. Hi Terri,

        So glad you liked them!! Thank you for the 5 star review!! 🙂

    18. I make this every year but I did not know to add vanilla or to put the marshmallows in the freezer. Great tips. I use a large plastic bowl in the microwave (carefully). One minute at 80 percent, stir well and another minute at 80 percent, stir vigorously till smooth. So easy!

      Reply

      1. Hi Barbara,

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! So glad you liked the tips!!

    19. One of my favorites at Christmas. ❤ My mom always used dark chocolate chips instead of butterscotch to lessen the sweetness, so I do the same. Didn’t have crunchy PB to try so added chopped peanuts to it instead. i just put everything in a bowl, microwaved for 30 secs. Stirred then 30 secs again, stirred and added vanilla and marshmallows, stir and then in pan and done in less than 3 minutes. So quick and easy. Thank you for posting. Couldn’t remember the amounts of each ingredient, glad I stumbled upon your recipe. 😋

      Reply

      1. Hi Brenda!

        Thank you so much for the 5 star review! All of these substitutions sound perfect and I’m so glad you found my recipe as well! Happy Holidays 🙂

    20. Okay, I love the peanut butter, butterscotch mixture. I’ve had these often. I actually really don’t like marshmallows at all. Is there something else I could mix in that deliciousness besides marshmallows.

      Reply

      1. Hi Jenelle,

        I have not tried with anything else, however I’ve had some people try them with nuts, and rice crispies and said they turned out great! Let me know if you do, and your thoughts! 🙂