Rocky Road Recipe

This basic Rocky Road Recipe has all of those contrasting and complementary textures and flavours that make this no-bake slice so popular.

Here, you’ll not only find the best Rocky Road Recipe but also a little history, tricks and tips for making rocky road and 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 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?

Rocky Road ingredients

For this basic Rocky Road recipe, the ingredients are:

• marshmallows
• ripe raspberries (or any lolly jellies that are raspberry flavour)
• salted peanuts
• shredded coconut
• milk chocolate.

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.

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.

(And don’t forget to keep scrolling to the end of this post for the basic Rocky Road Recipe and ingredient quantities)

Rocky Road FAQs

Can you freeze Rocky Road?

Yes. Provided it’s in an airtight container, it can be frozen for up to a couple of months.

How long does Rocky Road last in the fridge?

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!