Rocky Road is one of the all time fun desserts for kids to make too since it’s literally a throw-everything-in-a-bowl-and-mix style recipe. No cooking at all, just melt and mix and takes just 10 minutes. It’s such a great way to get kids into the kitchen being creative.

You’ll love this 5 ingredient no bake marshmallow slice and check out my latest rocky road addition – Biscoff Rocky Road. Also, this coconut ice is fun and easy for kids to make too.

Slices of rocky road on a white board surrounded by marshmallows and candy.

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Best rocky road recipe! I made it for all my family for Christmas & they loved it

Phillipa Ryan

Table of contents

If you can melt chocolate, you can make this Easy Rocky Road recipe. It’s that simple. This post is all about giving you the tips to customise your very own by using my (not so) secret ultimate rocky road recipe formula!

All you need is 5 ingredients and 10 minutes and this simple no-bake dessert can be in the fridge chilling out until you’re ready to devour it.

If you want to make this rocky road even more special, why not try making your own orange marshmallows to put in it.

Rocky Road slices sitting on a white board, surrounded by marshmallows and candy.

What is Rocky Road?

In some parts of the world Rocky Road is a flavour of ice cream but the same name is also given to no-bake chocolate bars comprising largely of marshmallows and chocolate.

There are so many reasons you need to make these Rocky Road Bars right now

  1. Obviously, it’s delicious
  2. Very easy to make
  3. Kid-friendly recipe
  4. 5 ingredients
  5. Infintely customisable
  6. It makes amazing gifts

A very traditional Rocky Road recipe is chocolate, marshmallows, peanuts, coconut and either Turkish delight or glace cherries. 

Rocky Road Ingredients

  • Chocolate: always make sure to use good quality one that you like eating. Don’t use a baking chocolate or compound chocolate.
  • Nuts: Essential for a good crunch and peanuts are a classic but pick your favourite.
  • Coconut: Another classic rocky road ingredient. I tend to leave this out but this is your version, so do what works for you.
  • Marshmallows: The second most important ingredients. Use bite sized or mini marshmallows for the best results and change it up and use an flavours.
  • Just about any other mix in you can dream up can go into this fun recipe.
Two images showing the different ingredients that can be used in rocky road.

How to make Rocky Road

  1. Start by melting chocolate – I do mine in the microwave but it’s very important not to let it get too hot. Heat it in 30 second burst making sure to stir well between each one. It shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes.
  2. Add your add-ins – marshmallows, shortbread pieces, peanuts and raspberry candy all go in now and mix it all well.
  3. Tip it into a lined loaf tin – then place in the fridge to chill for about an hour.
  4. Cut it into slices – you can store it in the fridge now or wrap it and give it as gifts.

Ultimate Rocky Road Recipe Formula!

To me, an easy Rocky Road recipe is comprised of 5 parts. Part 1 is chocolate, and the other 4 parts are all textures – soft, chewy, crunchy and crispy. With those 5 parts in mind you can go crazy creating all kinds of rocky road variations to suit whatever you feel like or whatever you have on hand. Here’s what I mean;

  1. Chocolate – Use white, milk,  dark, caramelised white chocolate or ruby chocolate. Or a combination of them. You can even use a different colour chocolate to drizzle over the top as contrast too.
  2. Soft – Marshmallows and with this sweet treat it really can be nothing else, however, you use the ones you like. From vanilla to multi-flavoured, twisty marshmallows, mini marshmallows, marshmallow ropes – use whatever you have or like.
  3. Chewy – for this component think things like Turkish delight, jelly candies, gummies, dried fruits, glace cherries.
  4. Crunchy – what I mean by this is something hard and crunchy like nuts and pick the ones you love – almonds, peanuts, macadamias, cashews – there are so many to choose from. You could even try candied nuts like these candied walnuts.
  5. Crispy – for this component you want a dry crispy texture like cookies or things like maltesers (whoppers), honeycomb or clinkers. While a traditional rocky road doesn’t really have the crispy component, I love the addition of a little crisp texture.

This is all the formula you need to make your ultimate rocky road recipe.

For the recipe you’ll find here, the ingredients look like this;

  • Chocolate: milk chocolate and a little dark
  • Soft: vanilla and raspberry marshmallows
  • Chewy: Allen’s Ripe Raspberries (a raspberry jelly candy)
  • Crunchy: peanuts
  • Crispy: shortbread pieces.

I also made Easter rocky road bars which has flavoured twisty marshmallows, jelly tots, maltesers, hazelnuts, coconut and is topped with Cadbury mini eggs. The real brilliance of rocky road at Easter time is you can use up all those excess chocolate Easter eggs to make it, then regift it. Imagine giving your mum a homemade batch of rocky road for Mothers Day.

This Malteser rocky road is just as easy to make and is filled with crispy Maltesers.

@sugarsaltmagic Easy Rocky Road RECIPE: https://www.sugarsaltmagic.com/raspberry-rocky-road/ #recipe #viralrecipe #chocolate #recipevideo #rockyroad ♬ original sound – Marie – Sugar Salt Magic
3 slices of rocky road on a white board, surrounded by marshmallows and easter eggs.

Rocky Road FAQs

Is Rocky Road Gluten Free?

This all depends on what you put into your rocky road. Generally, most chocolate is gluten free, as are coconut and nuts. Not all marshmallows are created equally – some are GF and some are not. The important thing here is to check the packaging of every mix in but it’s very easy to make a gluten free rocky road.

Can you freeze rocky road?

Yes you can. Make sure it’s in an airtight container and it will keep in the freezer for a couple of months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

How long will rocky road last?

Probably longer than you’ll take to eat it. It lasts well for many weeks and as long as all the mix-ins you’ve added. Have a look at the expiry dates on your ingredients and, as long as you store it correctly, your rocky road will keep as long as the shortest expiration date.

How to store rocky road?

Store your rocky road in the fridge in an airtight container.

The best way to melt chocolate

In the microwave: My favourite method but you need to be very careful not to overheat it, or it doesn’t set quite so firm. Make sure to zap it in 30 second increments and stir it really well between each one. It shouldn’t take any longer than 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
On the stove top: Fill a small saucepan with about 1 inch of water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heat-safe bowl on top without it touching the water and put your chocolate in. Stir it well the entire time until its about 90% melted, then remove it from the heat and stir until fully melted. While more fool-proof, this method takes a little longer and if any water gets into the chocolate it can seize.

Why did my chocolate seize?

Chocolate seizing is what happens when water is added to chocolate and it firms up and goes lumpy. Water is the enemy of chocolate so don’t let any get in or the chocolate will become unusable.

How do I cut rocky road?

To get nice clean slices, use a heated knife. Heat it in hot water, then dry it off before cutting or my favourite way is to use my kitchen torch and run it along the blade.

Slices of rocky road lined up on a white board.

With such a simple recipe, you can make yourself a batch and make more to give away for gifts. It’s a great Christmas food gift too, so have fun with it and get creative.

More easy giftable recipes

Did you try this rocky road recipe?
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Slices of rocky road on a white board surrounded by marshmallows and candy

Easy Rocky Road Recipe

Yield: 8 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
4.8 from 52 ratings
If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make rocky road, this Easy Rocky Road recipe has everything you need. Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes work plus all the ideas to be able to customise your rocky road exactly the way you like.
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Ingredients

  • 200 g milk chocolate (7oz)
  • 50 g dark (50%) chocolate (1.8oz)
  • ⅓ cup Allen's Ripe Raspberries candy (or similar) (notes)
  • ¾ cup, packed marshmallows (15 medium)
  • ¼ cup peanuts
  • 5 small shortbread cookies

For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Line a loaf tin, roughly 10x20cm / 4×8 inch, with baking paper.
  • Cut the jellies and marshmallows in half. Roughly cut the cookies to a small bite size. Set aside.
  • Finely chop the milk chocolate and dark chocolate then combine in a large bowl.
  • Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well and repeat another 2-3 times – stirring really well between each until it’s just melted. Don’t overheat.
  • Add the raspberries, marshmallows, peanuts and cookie pieces to the chocolate and mix well.
  • Tip into the prepared tin and nudge it into the corners.
  • Place in the fridge to set for about 2 hours to set firm again. Cut into slices and serve or wrap to give away.
  • Please take a minute to rate this recipe below. We truly appreciate it and it helps us create more recipes.

Video

Notes

  1. Allen’s Ripe Raspberries are a jelly candy, similar to jubes or gummies. Anything similar will work.
  2. You can also swap the candy for Turkish delight or glace cherries

More Information

These links will take you up to the post – just scroll down to get back to the recipe card.
MORE CANDY & FUDGE RECIPES!
Calories: 266kcal
Author: Marie Roffey
Course: Dessert, Food Gifts, Snack, Sweets
Cuisine: American, Australian
Have you tried this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.

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