Chewy, gooey, and full of nostalgia, Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares check every box. They are sweet, salty, and a retro holiday classic dessert that has been passed down for generations. Simple to make, impossible to resist and the kind of recipe everyone remembers.
Jump to:
- What Are Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares?
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients For Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
- Optional Recipe Variations
- Essential Treats For A Holiday Treat Tray
- How To Make Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
- Expert Tips
- How To Store Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Peanut Butter Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- ⭐️ Leave a Review
Craving something sweet? We've got all kinds of dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth. From this ultra-decadent milk chocolate almond bark to this delicious recipe for homemade sponge toffee, and even this nostalgic recipe for peanut butter blossom cookies, there's truly something for everyone!
What Are Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares?
Peanut butter marshmallow squares are also known as butterscotch marshmallow squares, ogopogo squares, or confetti squares. But whatever you call them, they are the same no-bake Canadian classic made with peanut butter, butterscotch and marshmallows.
They're a retro and nostalgic dessert that shows up often during the holidays, bake sales and potlucks year after year.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Peanut butter marshmallow squares are so easy to make, and they are a no-bake recipe!
- These squares are a timeless, classic recipe that is perfect for the holidays, bake sales and potlucks!
- This recipe requires only six simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry!
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Ingredients For Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
- Mini Marshmallows - Traditionally, these peanut butter squares are made with colored mini marshmallows, you can use these if you want.
- Smooth Peanut Butter - Crunchy or all-natural peanut butter can be used, but the texture will be different and not as smooth.
- Butter - Use real butter and not margarine for this recipe.
- Butterscotch Chips - These are the classic chips to use in this recipe and are the base of the flavor profile of this recipe.
A full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Optional Recipe Variations
- Add Melted Chocolate - add melted semi-sweet chocolate chips as a drizzle to the top of these peanut butter marshmallow squares.
- Confetti Squares - to make these truly classic confetti squares, use rainbow colored mini marshmallows.
- White Chocolate - instead of butterscotch chips, use white chocolate chips to make these squares all white, like snow!
- Add sprinkles - add colored sprinkles for a festive pop of color on top of these squares. Add the sprinkles before refrigerating.
Essential Treats For A Holiday Treat Tray
Holiday treat trays are a popular Christmas tradition, perfect for gifting to friends, family, neighbours and coworkers. Below are some must-have treats to include on any Christmas dessert tray.
- Whipped Shortbread Cookies
- Milk Chocolate Bark with Almonds
- Classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Homemade Caramel Corn (great for stuffing in the blank spots between cookies!)
- Christmas Crack
- Chocolate Cocoa Truffles
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How To Make Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
Step 1
Grease an 8x8 baking dish with butter and set aside.
In a double broiler or a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, add the peanut butter, butter, and butterscotch chips. Over low heat, melt the mixture until it is smooth. Remove mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, add the mini marshmallows and pour the butterscotch mixture over them. Using a spatula, gently fold the marshmallows so they don't get crushed.
Step 2
Pour the mixed marshmallows into the greased baking dish and gently smooth them out. Avoid pressing on the marshmallows, or the bars could turn out dense.
Refrigerate until fully set, about 2-3 hours before cutting and serving.
Expert Tips
- To prevent the butterscotch marshmallow squares from getting too soft, let the peanut butter mixture cool slightly before adding it to the marshmallows. If the mixture is too hot, it will melt the marshmallows, releasing moisture and making the bars turn out sticky and soft.
- Make sure to use fresh marshmallows. Stale marshmallows are dry and will clump easily.
- Gently press the marshmallows into the baking dish. Packing the marshmallows tightly will crush and compact them, making dense, hard squares.
How To Store Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
Store marshmallow squares in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Add a layer of parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking.
Peanut butter marshmallow squares served cold will have a firmer texture, and if the marshmallow squares are left at room temperature, they will be softer.
These bars can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months maximum. If they are frozen for too long, the marshmallows can become grainy when thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a couple of reasons these squares could have turned out dense and hard. If they were packed too tightly into the baking dish and the marshmallows were squished, the bars would turn out hard. The same goes for if the marshmallows were stirred too vigorously when the peanut butter mixture was added.
The marshmallows will melt if the butterscotch peanut butter mixture is too hot when it is added to the marshmallows. Let it cool slightly, for 5-10 minutes, before adding it to the marshmallows.
To cut the bars cleanly, use a large, sharp knife and run it under hot water, wiping the blade off between each cut. The warm knife will slightly melt the bars, making cutting the marshmallow squares super easy.
More Peanut Butter Recipes
If you love recipes loaded with peanut butter, you have to try these!
These butterscotch marshmallow squares are a part of our 12 Days of Christmas Series - Season 3. Don't miss Day 8: Classic Ambrosia Salad! ☃️
If you made these Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter
- ½ cup Butter
- 270 grams Butterscotch Chips
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pinch Salt
- 7 cups Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- Grease an 8x8 baking dish with butter and set aside.
- In the bowl of a double broiler or a small heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, add the peanut butter, butter, and butterscotch chips. Over low heat, melt the mixture until it is smooth and all of the ingredients are completely incorporated. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Make sure the peanut butter mixture is not too hot, or it will melt the marshmallows. The mixture should be lukewarm, if it is too hot, let it cool for 5-10 minutes before continuing.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the mini marshmallows and carefully pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the top. Using a spatula, fold the marshmallows into the peanut butter mixture until they are completely coated. Transfer the marshmallows to the greased baking dish and, using a spatula, smooth them out.
- Refrigerate the squares until they are fully set, about 2-3 hours before cutting and serving.
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Notes
- You can use rainbow colored marshmallows if you prefer, to make these squares truly retro.
- Make sure to use fresh marshmallows, as stale marshmallows are dry and will clump easily.
- Gently press the marshmallows into the baking dish to avoid crushing them. The squares will turn out dense if the marshmallows are crushed or packed too tightly.
- Add chocolate, or change these bars up with some of these ideas.
- Store peanut butter marshmallow squares in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- The marshmallow squares can be frozen in an airtight container or ziplock bag for 2-3 months. If they are frozen longer than that, the texture of the marshmallow can turn gritty.
- To cleanly cut the bars, run a sharp knife under hot water for a few seconds before cutting and wipe the blade clean between each cut.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Eddie says
This is one of my all time favourites!