Decadent Chocolate Rocky Road Delight

Heavenly Chocolate Rocky Road Candy: Your Ultimate No-Bake Delight!
Indulge in the rich, creamy decadence of dark chocolate fudge, perfectly combined with fluffy marshmallows and the irresistible crunch of salted roasted peanuts. These heavenly bars are a dream come true for anyone craving a quick and utterly delicious sweet treat.

These marshmallow rocky road bars are a personal all-time favorite, cherished for their incredible flavor and the sheer ease of preparation. You’ll be amazed that a dessert this magnificent comes together in literally just 5 minutes! With only 5 simple ingredients, you can create a batch of rocky road fudge that will have everyone raving. If you love quick fudges, be sure to explore our Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge and Easy S’mores Fudge recipes as well.

Contents

The Sweet Inspiration Behind Our Chocolate Rocky Road Candy

This delightful rocky road recipe draws its inspiration from the classic Chocolate Charlie candy. Have you ever had the pleasure of tasting Chocolate Charlie Candy? For many, it’s hands-down the best marshmallow candy, especially during the festive holiday season. Its unique blend of flavors is so captivating, you’ll find yourself wanting to enjoy it every single day! Interestingly, some versions even include a hint of coconut, adding another layer of texture and taste.

One of my dearest friends, Tonya, and I have a cherished holiday tradition: we exchange a box of Chocolate Charlie every year as our Christmas gift to each other. We always share a giggle about it, knowing how much we anticipate this seasonal treat.

It’s truly perfect! This tradition ensures we can savor it together, enjoying every bite of the rich, creamy chocolate, the delightfully fluffy marshmallows (just like homemade fluffy marshmallows), and the perfectly salted roasted peanuts. We make sure to finish every last piece – no leftovers allowed! That’s truly the most enjoyable part of our sweet ritual. This rocky road fudge captures that same spirit of joyful indulgence and shared delight.

Are You a Fan of Sweet and Salty Chocolate Marshmallow Treats?

If your taste buds crave that magical combination of sweet and salty, then this 5-ingredient Chocolate Rocky Road Candy is absolutely perfect for you! These bars truly have everything you could desire in a delightful treat.

The inclusion of salted roasted peanuts is what elevates this rocky road candy, providing just the right balance to counteract the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallows. This creates a flavor profile that is completely addictive – be warned, you might not want to be left alone with a fresh batch! I speak from personal experience!

However, if you prefer to skip the salty kick, you can easily substitute the salted roasted peanuts with unsalted roasted peanuts. While it will still be delicious, for me, that touch of salt is what truly makes these rocky road bars so incredibly delectable and unique with every bite. These simple ingredients come together to create a perfectly welcome dessert for any occasion, especially during the holidays.

Essential Ingredients for Your Heavenly Chocolate Rocky Road Candy

Simple Ingredients for an Irresistible Treat

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Bar, or Melts: For the best results, use a high-quality semi-sweet chocolate. You can also experiment with a combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate to achieve your preferred level of sweetness and richness. Dark chocolate chips are also an excellent option for a more intense flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Butter provides a crucial creamy texture to the fudge. For an exciting twist, you can substitute this with creamy peanut butter, which adds a wonderful nutty depth that complements the peanuts in the rocky road perfectly.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the magical ingredient that gives our rocky road fudge its smooth, rich, and incredibly creamy consistency without requiring any complicated candy-making techniques. Make sure to use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
Dry-Roasted or Salted Cocktail Peanuts: These add the essential crunch and a fantastic salty counterpoint to the sweet chocolate. If you opt for unsalted peanuts, you might want to add a tiny pinch of sea salt to your fudge mixture or sprinkle some on top for that desired sweet-and-salty balance.
Miniature Marshmallows: These soft, fluffy pockets are integral to classic rocky road. You can use anywhere from 2 to 4 cups of mini marshmallows in this rocky road candy recipe. If you prefer a higher ratio of chocolate fudge to marshmallow, stick to 2 cups. For a happy medium, 3 cups works wonderfully. If you absolutely adore marshmallows and want thicker, chewier bars, go for 4 cups. Just be mindful not to exceed 4 cups, as it can make it difficult to properly coat the marshmallows and nuts with the chocolate fudge.
Optional Sweetened Shredded Coconut: For an added layer of flavor and texture, reminiscent of the Chocolate Charlie inspiration, consider folding in 1/2 cup of sweetened shredded coconut along with the peanuts and marshmallows.

Simple Instructions: How to Make This Irresistible Rocky Road Candy

Prepare Your Pan: Line a 9×9 inch pan (ideal for creating deliciously thick bars) or a 9×13 inch pan (for thinner, more numerous servings) with wax paper or parchment paper. Lightly spray the paper with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal and clean cuts later.
Pre-Measure Ingredients: Before you begin melting, ensure your marshmallows and peanuts are already measured out and ready to go. This recipe sets quickly, so having everything prepped is key.
Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your chocolate chips (or bar/melts) and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. It should resemble a rich, glossy fudgy ganache.
Combine with Condensed Milk and Add-ins: Working quickly, stir the sweetened condensed milk into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined. Immediately follow by adding the peanuts and mini marshmallows. Gently fold all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the chocolate fudge.
Chill Until Firm: Pour the mixture into your prepared pan without delay and spread it out evenly using a spatula. Chill the chocolate candy in the refrigerator until it is completely firm, which typically takes about 2 hours.
Cut and Serve: Once firm, lift the rocky road out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut it into squares or bars of your desired size and serve. Enjoy your homemade, heavenly rocky road candy!

Rocky Road Recipe Tips & Delicious Variations

Customize Your Chocolate Ratio: If you prefer a more intense chocolate experience, simply decrease the amount of marshmallows to your liking. The original recipe, as seen in some of the older photos, used 2 cups of chocolate chips and 2 cups of marshmallows, resulting in a richer, more chocolate-dominant bar. Experiment to find your perfect balance!
Marshmallow Quantity Matters: As mentioned, you can use anywhere from 2 to 4 cups of mini marshmallows.
- For more fudge and less marshmallow, use 2 cups.
- For a happy medium, aim for 3 cups.
- For thicker, marshmallow-packed bars, go for 4 cups. Adding more marshmallows will result in thicker bars, but be careful not to exceed 4 cups, as it can make coating them with chocolate challenging.
Enhance the Sweet and Salty Kick: For an extra burst of flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of the rocky road bars before chilling. This amplifies the sweet and salty contrast.
Nutty Alternatives: While peanuts are traditional and delicious, feel free to get creative with your nuts! Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, almonds, or cashews would all make excellent substitutions or additions, offering different textures and flavor nuances to your chocolate rocky road.
Chocolate Combinations: The recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate, but don’t hesitate to mix it up. Sometimes I love substituting a portion of the semi-sweet with milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, or dark chocolate for a deeper, more sophisticated flavor. If using milk chocolate, it tends to be a bit softer when melted, so a higher ratio of semi-sweet to milk chocolate is generally recommended for optimal texture.
Pan Size for Different Thicknesses:
- For thicker, more substantial bars, a 9×9 inch pan is ideal.
- For thinner, more numerous servings, opt for a 9×13 inch pan. If using a larger pan for thinner bars, I recommend sticking to 2-3 cups of marshmallows, as a large volume of marshmallows can make spreading the mixture evenly more challenging.
Achieving a Smooth Top: If you desire a perfectly smooth top layer of chocolate on your rocky road, use slightly more chocolate than marshmallows and nuts, and work quickly to spread the fudge into the pan before it begins to set.
Work Quickly: This fudge sets up very rapidly once all the ingredients are mixed. Ensure all your add-ins are pre-measured and ready before you start, so you can combine everything and get it into the pan swiftly.
Alternative Melting Methods: While microwaving is the quickest method, you can also melt the chocolate and butter using a double boiler on the stovetop. Some even use a slow cooker or crockpot: simply add the chocolate to the pot until melted, then stir in the condensed milk, followed by the rest of the ingredients. For a cluster-style treat, drop spoonfuls onto baking sheets to firm up.

Storing Your Delicious Rocky Road Candy Fudge

Storing in the Fridge: This Chocolate Rocky Road Candy fudge is best kept in the refrigerator, which helps it maintain its firm texture and extends its shelf life. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. You can, however, enjoy it at room temperature for a slightly softer, chewier texture. At room temperature, it will last for 1-2 weeks in an airtight container.
Freezing for Longer Enjoyment: For longer storage, this rocky road fudge freezes beautifully! Wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready for a delightful treat, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

One item on my personal recipe bucket list is to master making homemade marshmallows from scratch, and even to perfectly replicate that beloved Chocolate Charlie candy. But for now, this incredible 5-ingredient marshmallow rocky road bars recipe offers a fantastically fast and utterly delicious version that hits all the right notes.

This easy rocky road fudge is truly perfect for making during all the holidays, serving as a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for friends and family. Imagine presenting these delightful rocky road marshmallow bars in a charming tin – simply irresistible! And, of course, they’re ideal for sharing (or not!) with one of your best friends over a cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy the simple pleasure of homemade candy!

Want More Marshmallow Delights?

Rocky Road S’mores Bars
Peanut Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow Bars
Best Marshmallowy S’mores Rice Krispies
Disappearing Reese’s Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Blondies
‘Hubba-Hubba’ Brownie Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies!
Chocolate Fudge Marshmallow Oreo Brownie Pie
Ooh-la-la Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Bark
Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Rocky Road Fudge
Easy Strawberry White Chocolate Fudge
60 Easy No Bake Christmas Treats

Don’t forget to check out this Cashew Peanut Butter Fudge too!

Heavenly Chocolate Rocky Road Candy Recipe

A sinfully rich and creamy chocolate fudge, generously packed with fluffy marshmallows and delightfully salted roasted peanuts. This easy, no-bake recipe yields heavenly bars perfect for any occasion!

Author: Kim Lange

Rating: 3.96 out of 5 stars (from 126 votes)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

Course: Dessert

Servings: 16 Servings

Keyword: chocolate, christmas, easter, fudge, marshmallow, marshmallow bars, peanuts, rocky road candy

Ingredients

2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, bar or melts (can do a combination of milk and semi-sweet chocolate if desired)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or creamy peanut butter
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups dry-roasted salted peanuts (add an additional 1/2 cup if you love more nutty crunch!)
2-4 cups mini marshmallows (depending on how much marshmallow you prefer. The original recipe uses 2 cups, but for thicker, marshmallow-packed bars, 3-4 cups are recommended.)
Optional: 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (add with peanuts/marshmallow)

Instructions

Line a 9×9 inch pan (for extra thick bars) or a 9×13 inch pan (for thinner bars) with wax or parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
Make sure you have all marshmallows and peanuts already measured before starting, as the mixture sets quickly.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butter. Stir every 30 seconds until completely melted and smooth, resembling a fudgy ganache.
Quickly stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Immediately add the peanuts and marshmallows. Fold all ingredients together until evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan immediately and spread evenly. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
Cut into squares and serve.

Video

Watch how easy it is to make this Heavenly Chocolate Rocky Road Candy!