This rocky road candy is a tried and true vintage candy recipe that is going to tickle your tastebuds with delight. All you need is 5 ingredients to make this no-bake candy. Chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, peanuts, chow mein noodles, and mini marshmallows. e
Crunchy, salty, and sweet all-in-one decadent candy recipe. This is a great dessert for making and gifting to friends and family during the holidays or snacking on during the week.
Want more candy recipes? Let me share a few more of my favorites for you to try out. Try this peppermint fudge, peppermint patties, or even these Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake truffles!
Reasons to Make This Rocky Road Candy Recipe
- This tried and true candy recipe has been around for ages. Just like your grandma used to make.
- 5 ingredients are all it takes to make this crunchy and sweet candy.
- Easy to make and great for serving a crowd, taking to a potluck event, etc.
- Budget-friendly ingredients, so you can make this candy and it won’t break the bank.
- This is a great candy to pack in candy boxes that you gift out at Christmas and other occasions.
Ingredients Needed
Chocolate – I used semi-sweet chocolate chips as the base of the rocky road dessert.
Peanut Butter – For the ultra-creamy texture reach for smooth peanut butter. I do recommend using quality peanut butter as it is a stand-out flavor.
Peanuts – Reach for lightly salted peanuts. If you use fully salted it will be a little too salty.
chow mein noodles- just use the crunch noodles for this easy candy recipe.
Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows mix in candy mixture for a soft chewy texture to the candy.
Variations to Recipe
Chocolate – Reach for a white chocolate milk chocolate, bar chocolate that you chop up, etc. I used semi-sweet but you are welcome to change it up. Just ensure it is quality chocolate.
Butterscotch – Add 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips for added flavor to the rocky road which will help sweeten it up even more.
Nut Butter – Not a fan of peanut butter? Use a nut butter. Just know that using nut butter will alter the texture a bit and you might need more chocolate to balance out the creamy texture.
Cereal or Chow Mein Noodles – Instead of chow mein noodles you can use Rice Krispie cereal to still get that nice crunchy texture.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this candy up as a dessert or pair it with more items for a dessert table arrangement. I love pairing these bars with something savory like this Antipasto cheeseball Christmas tree recipe. Then you get the sweet and savory in one.
Or whip up this mistletoe punch for sipping on as you nibble on your sweet chocolate. Or if you have little ones they will love this Grinch hot chocolate recipe.
Tips for Success
Stir Between Heat Cycles
If you are warming up the chocolate in the microwave make sure to stir well between the short heat cycles. This is needed as it will burn the chocolate if you cook it for too long without stirring.
Stovetop Method
If you want to melt the chocolate on the stovetop, then add it to a saucepan and heat it on low stirring often. Once the chocolate is fully melted then move on to the next step.
Let Mixture Cool Before Adding Marshmallows
Once your chocolate and peanut butter is warmed up and melted let it sit for just a few minutes. This cools it down enough that when you mix in the marshmallows they won’t melt. Add all the ingredients and mix well.
Lined Baking Sheet
I do recommend using a lined baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper for adding your globs of the rocky road candy. This helps prevent the candy from sticking to the pan. Otherwise, it can create a mess.
Refrigerate to Set Up
Make sure you allow time for the rocky road candy to set up fully, by placing it in the fridge. It takes around an hour for the chocolate to set up.
Storing
You can store the candy at room temperature or in a container in the fridge. Both methods work once the candy is fully set up. The rocky road candy will be stored for around a week or so.
Now you can extend the shelf life and freeze the candy if you prefer. Place in a freezer container for 3-4 months. Then eat straight from the freezer, or let it thaw then enjoy.
FAQs
Can I make Rocky Road candy without nuts?
You can make it free of nuts if you want. Just leave out the peanuts and it will be a creamier texture. If you don’t want to use the peanut butter you can swap with melted white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a nut-free candy.
How do I prevent the marshmallows from melting completely?
Allow the chocolate to cool a bit before you mix in the marshmallows. I let the chocolate sit in the bowl for 3-4 minutes. Then you will add in the nuts, crushed noodles, and marshmallows. This helps it not melt the marshmallows. Stir lightly.
Where did Rocky Road candy originate?
Rocky Road candy has been around since the Great Depression era! It is unknown the exact origins of how this sweet confection was created and who was the originator. But we do know it has been devoured for many years all around the globe.
More Easy Treats
Rocky Road Candy
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ cup lightly salted peanuts
- 1 package chow mein noodles broken up into pieces
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter and heat on 30 second increments until melted and smooth.
- Add in peanuts, noodle pieces, and mini marshmallows and fold until everything is coated in the chocolate mixture.
- Use a large cookie scoop to scoop out individual pieces and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
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