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This chocolate Rocky Road recipe is the best no-bake dessert made with plenty of marshmallows and chocolate. It's a favorite straight from Great Grandma that we love to make for weekends, parties, and neighbor gifts!
Rocky Road is a special family tradition.
Rocky Road is a special family tradition.I love that it's incredibly easy, doesn't make a mess in the kitchen, and no baking required. All you need is 15 minutes and a few ingredients!
This beloved rocky road recipe is from my husband's Great Grandmother, who used to make it at Christmas, and would also give it as birthday gifts to her grandchildren. Now my husband's mom makes it every Christmas with our kids. They each make their very own portion in these mini disposable loaf pans. (one batch of rocky road will fill 4 mini loaf pans).
If you love homemade candy recipes try our Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Graham Cracker Toffee, Chocolate Fudge, Homemade Almond Joys, and Oreo Balls.
How to make Rocky Road:
Cut Marshmallows: Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. Using kitchen scissors, cut each marshmallow into 4ths (I like to dip the scissors in a little bowl of water between cuts so marshmallows don't stick). Add cut marshmallows to pan.
Melt Chocolate: Heat a saucepan on low heat (or use a double boiler). Add chocolate and butter then stir constantly until chocolate is smooth and melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and nuts (if using).
Pour Chocolate: Slowly drizzle melted chocolate over marshmallows, using a spoon or spatula to help push it into all the cracks. Refrigerate until set.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Rocky Road candy is such a great treat to make ahead! Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.
To Freeze: Transfer to an airtight freezer safe container and keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
More No-Bake Desserts:
- Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
- Peanut Clusters
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Oreo Balls
- Banana Pudding
- Buckeye Recipe
- No-Bake Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cream Pie
- Chocolate Milkshake
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Recipe
Rocky Road
Ingredients
- 10 ounce bag large marshmallows (not mini) , cut into 1/4's
- 8 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 1/2 cup butter* , cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prep pan: Grease a 8×8'' baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter (or use 4 mini disposable loaf pans, for gifting).
- Cut marshmallows (we use scissors, dipping them in water after each cut, to keep the marshmallow from sticking). Add cut marshmallows to the pan.
- Melt Chocolate: In a saucepan over low heat (or a double boiler) add chocolate and butter. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and walnuts, if using.
- Slowly drizzle melted chocolate over marshmallows, gently nudging between the marshmallows as you go, so that the chocolate seeps into all of the cracks.
- Refrigerate until set. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe December 2014. Updated December 2017 and July 2023 and December 2024.
Fantastic! My new favorite recipe! I love how easy it is too. You’re so right that quartered jumbo marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows is key. A little tedious but worth it. (I appreciate the dipping scissors in water tip; that helped a lot.) My only change was to double the walnuts. Thanks for sharing!
oops, something went wrong. When I added the salted butter, 2tbs, to the chocolate chips it thickened up like fudge(and no, no water got in it 🙂 I’m going to try again.
Think she said NOT to use the chips. They’re made different from the baking bars.
Hey! Best Words you have there! Raise up the best work!
From the video. It looks like you are using the large marshmallows. How much can I use if I substitute mini marshmallows instead? That’s all I usually buy. Also, can this recipe be doubled for a 13×9 baking pan? I say go big or go home lol. Besides I love to bake and share.
Yes you can double it. We always use the big marshmallows because they create the texture that we like, but you could try using about 6 cups of mini.
We made this for dessert last night and it was fantastic! Followed recipe to the letter
Wouldn’t change a thing! Made ours with walnuts. Thankyou for a great recipe!
I accidentally bought 4 ounces of unsweetened bakers chocolate and 4 ounces semi sweetened bakers chocolate
How do I use this in this recipe?
This is one of the best Rocky Road recipes I have ever made. It is very rich, so only tiny pieces are needed. I loved the technique of putting the marshmallows in the pan and pouring the chocolate over it.
Hi. I made this recipe for holiday gifts. I am a huge fan of marshmallows and chocolate! Rockyroad ice cream has always been my favorite. I already had Trader Joe’s Belgian dark chocolate on hand so I decided to use that. I wondered if it was going to be too sweet but actually it wasn’t probably because the dark chocolate is not as sweet as milk chocolate. I made a small batch to test it out and it turned out fine. Except I found it difficult to cut into pieces. So the second time around, I began by putting a thin layer of the melted chocolate on the bottom of an 8×8” greased pan. I let that set and then followed the recipe with cut up marshmallows and the melted chocolate and butter mixture and added the vanilla and chopped walnuts. After 2 hours, I had so much more success cutting it with the chocolate layer on the bottom. I hope this is helpful, and thank you for posting the recipe’
Just made this and it is Delicious!
This is a hit! I used a 12oz bag of marshmallows, 12 oz dark chocolate, 6oz of butter, vanilla of course, and a cup or so of whole roasted, unsalted cashews. Makes a lovely thick batch in an 8×8 glass pan. I lined the pan with parchment paper for easier removal and cutting.
I tried the recipe for Christmas and the melted chocolate didn’t reach the bottom of the marshmallows. The nuts and marshmallows should be mixed with the melted chocolates then poured onto the greased pan. That way, all the marshmallows are covered with chocolate.