Here, you'll find a basic Rocky Road Recipe plus plenty of other rocky road recipes – all the wonderful variations that show how versatile this treat is! You'll also find a little history and plenty of tricks and tips for making rocky road.
Jump to:
Here, you'll not only find the best Rocky Road Recipe but also a land links to other interesting Rocky Road recipes and variations.
Basically, everything you need to know about Rocky Road and how to make it is right here!
What is Rocky Road?
Rocky Road is a chocolate-y treat with marshmallows and a few other ingredients – often something crunchy such as peanuts along with something jelly textured or chewy and coconut is also often added.
It's all those contrasting and complementary textures and flavours that make this no-bake treat so popular.
It's made in a slice pan and cut into squares.
At least that's what Rocky Road is here in Australia. If you're in the US, you probably think of Rocky Road as an ice cream. Still with the same flavours but just in ice cream form.
Here, though, we're talking Aussie Rocky Road!
Who invented Rocky Road?
The most popular version of the history of Rocky Road is that it is an Australian invention.
It's claimed that when sweets melted on the long (and rocky) road from Europe to Australia, merchants in Australia would avoid throwing out these misshapen sweets and instead use chocolate to combine them together and disguise their imperfections.
Rocky Road was born!
I should mention that there are other suggestions that the first Rocky Road appeared in the US. But let's not dwell on those.
The above story sounds more than plausible and we Aussies love to claim the best desserts as our own. Just ask any New Zealander about our favourite "Aussie" dessert, pavlova.
In 1935, popular Australian confectioner Darrell Lea introduced their version of Rocky Road, "Rocklea Road" which absolutely cemented this sweet as an Australian favourite. They say "Half a pound’s worth sold for two shillings. The main ingredients were toasted marshmallow and roasted peanuts, hand-mixed with milk chocolate. Today Darrell Lea still makes Rocklea Road to this original recipe."
I agree that Rocklea Road is amazingly delicious. But why buy Rocky Road when you can make an even better version so easily yourself?
Ingredient notes
To make basic Rocky Road you'll need:
- marshmallows
- ripe raspberries (or any lolly jellies that are raspberry flavour)
- salted peanuts
- shredded coconut
- milk chocolate.
Ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
These ingredients cover all of those essential elements: the smoothness of the chocolate and pillowy soft marshmallow with a little added crunch (peanuts and coconut) and chewiness (lolly raspberries).
How to make Rocky Road
To make Rocky Road, I like to chop the larger ingredients in half to make it easier to eat and ensure you get as many of those wonderful elements as possible in the one piece.
So I cut the marshmallows and raspberries in half using kitchen scissors.
Next, combine together all of the ingredients apart from the chocolate.
Melt the chocolate by placing it in microwave for 20 second bursts and stirring between each burst until chocolate is melted.
Pour the chocolate over ingredients in bowl and stir until everything is completely coated in chocolate.
Pour the mixture into a slice tin lined with baking paper and spread out to the edges, flattening the top with a metal spoon.
Place into the fridge to set.
Once set, cut into squares once set.
Storage
Store your Rocky Road in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few weeks.
Provided it's in an airtight container, it can also be frozen for up to a couple of months.
More Rocky Road Recipes
This basic Rocky Road recipe is wonderful just as it is, and I often make this version at Christmas time.
It's also a recipe that you can get creative with. Use different lollies, or different nuts. Different chocolate. Add in some Rice Bubble.
There are so many ways to come up with your own special version of Rocky Road. Just remember to keep all those varied elements in there.
Here are some Rocky Road variations for inspiration! From festive-themed recipes to the most unusual rocky road recipe:
Rocky Road FAQs
Yes. Provided it's in an airtight container, it can be frozen for up to a couple of months.
If you use this basic recipe, you can store Rocky Road in an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks. Other versions will probably also store for a similar amount of time, but it will depend on what the add-ins are that you've used. Of course, whether it actually lasts that long in your fridge is another matter entirely!
Made this basic rocky road recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)
For more fun and deliciousness in the kitchen, follow along on Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest, and subscribe for new posts via email.
Rocky Road Recipe
Ingredients
- 280 grams marshmallows
- 170 grams raspberry lollies
- ⅓ cup salted peanuts
- ⅓ cup shredded coconut
- 360 grams milk chocolate
Instructions
- Prepare a slice tin (about 28 x 18cm) by lining with baking paper.
- Chop marshmallows and raspberry lollies in half and then add to a bowl along with the peanuts and coconut. Mix together to combine.
- Melt chocolate by placing in microwave for 20 second bursts and stirring between each burst until chocolate is melted.
- Pour chocolate over ingredients in bowl and stir until everything is completely coated in chocolate.
- Pour mixture into tin and spread out to edges and flatten with a metal spoon.
- Place into fridge to set.
- Cut into squares once set.
Gloria
Hi there! I'm in the U.S. and have really enjoyed some of your recipes. But occasionally you will use a term I don't recognize. Please clarify what are Raspberry Lollies? Thanks so much.
Libby Hakim
G'day Gloria! So glad to hear that 🙂 Raspberry lollies are raspberry-flavoured jelly lollies. I think you call lollies "candy" int the US. Anything sweet and red and chewy. Perhaps you have red candy frogs? Actually, just thinking about US candy and you could use Swedish Fish, they'd be perfect (we can buy some US candy at specialty stores here in Australia).