Name: Rocky Road Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g); ½ cup Dutch cocoa powder (50g); 1 (3.4oz.) box instant chocolate fudge pudding mix (110g, unprepared); 2 tablespoons malted milk powder (20g); ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ teaspoon baking soda (4g); ½ cup salted butter (110g); ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (150g); ¼ cup granulated sugar (55g); 1 large egg, room temperature; 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 3 ounces heavy cream; ¾ cup almond slivers (67g) + ¼ cup for topping; ½ cup mini marshmallows, packed (32g); ½ cup chocolate chips (87g); ½ cup mini chocolate chips for topping; ½ cup marshmallow bits

Jump to Recipe·5.2 from 14 reviews

If you’re hunting for the ultimate chocolate treat, these Rocky Road Cookies deserve a top spot on your to-bake list. Each bite delivers all the gooey, crunchy, and chewy joy you’d expect from the classic candy, transformed into a tender, brownie-like cookie. Packed full of chocolate chips, toasted almonds, and pockets of marshmallow, this dessert is pure happiness for chocolate lovers and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties, holidays, or any time you’re craving something special. Trust me, if you adore Rocky Road Cookies, you’re about to meet your new favorite indulgence!

Rocky Road Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Rocky Road Cookies lies in the combination of simple, everyday ingredients with a few key surprises that take them over the top. Each item lends something important, whether it’s rich flavor, luscious gooeyness, or irresistible crunch.

All-purpose flour: The perfect base, adding structure while keeping the cookies soft and tender.
Dutch cocoa powder: For that deep, rich chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
Instant chocolate fudge pudding mix: Infuses intense chocolate flavor and gives a wonderfully moist, fudge-like texture.
Malted milk powder: It’s optional, but adds a toasty, nostalgic creaminess reminiscent of old-school soda shop treats.
Salt: Essential for balance; it heightens all the sweet and chocolatey notes.
Baking soda: Ensures a bit of lift so the cookies don’t get too dense.
Salted butter: Adds richness and keeps the cookie chewy in all the best ways.
Light brown sugar: For soft centers and complex, caramelized sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar and ensures crispy edges.
Large egg: Binds everything together and enhances the cookies’ color.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings out the flavors of chocolate and almond.
Heavy cream: Adds moisture and a plush, luxurious crumb.
Almond slivers: Lends toasty crunch and classic Rocky Road flavor.
Mini marshmallows: Create gooey pockets and make these cookies unmistakably Rocky Road.
Chocolate chips: Dots of melty chocolate in every bite — use a mix of regular and mini for added fun.
Mini chocolate chips (for topping): Sprinkled on top for an extra melt-in-your-mouth touch.
Marshmallow bits: For a playful, bakery-style garnish and extra chewy bites in every cookie.

How to Make Rocky Road Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, which will help prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. While your oven gets nice and toasty, gather all your ingredients so you can bake with confidence and ease.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Dutch cocoa powder, instant chocolate fudge pudding mix, salt, and baking soda. This little step evenly distributes the leavening agents and cocoa, setting up a perfectly textured cookie base and ensuring every cookie bakes up beautifully.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes. The mixture should lighten in color and look slightly fluffy — this is how you get that irresistible chewy texture in your Rocky Road Cookies.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed. These simple additions tie the dough together and infuse the cookies with a waft of comforting, homemade flavor.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry mixture and the heavy cream in three alternate additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until no streaks remain; the dough should be thick, soft, and just a little bit greasy (but not sticky). Take a moment to check the texture with clean hands — if it feels too dry, a splash more cream will work wonders.

Step 6: Fold in the Rocky Road Mix-ins

With a spatula, gently fold in the almond slivers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips, being careful not to overmix. The goal here is to distribute all the goodies evenly without deflating the dough, so every bite is packed with Rocky Road flavor.

Step 7: Finish with Fun Toppings

In a small bowl, toss together the remaining almond slivers, mini chocolate chips, and marshmallow bits. This trio serves as an irresistible topping for your cookies. Using a #24 cookie scoop, form the dough into 2-ounce balls. Press the tops into the topping mixture — this step gives your Rocky Road Cookies that bakery-style look and satisfying, loaded texture.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Arrange your cookie dough balls on the prepared pans, leaving at least 2 inches between each. Slide them into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just set and the tops look slightly matte. These cookies are meant to be soft, so resist the urge to overbake! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes — they’ll be delicate fresh from the oven and will firm up as they set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then repeat with the second pan.

How to Serve Rocky Road Cookies

Garnishes

For a fun finishing touch, sprinkle a few extra mini marshmallows, almonds, or chocolate chips over the top of your Rocky Road Cookies while they’re still just the tiniest bit warm. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate also looks gorgeous and adds a hint of elegance for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Although these cookies are always the star, you can pair them with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, or even a creamy coffee. For dessert platters, arrange Rocky Road Cookies with fruit like strawberries or raspberries to balance the decadence.

Creative Ways to Present

Rocky Road Cookies love a playful presentation! Stack them high on a rustic wooden board, pile into glass cookie jars, or tie bundles in cellophane with a pretty ribbon for edible gifts. For parties or bake sales, sandwich a scoop of marshmallow fluff or chocolate ganache between two cookies for an outrageous double-decker treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The marshmallows inside might soften over time, but the flavors will remain rich and satisfying — sometimes they’re even more gooey and delicious the next day!

Freezing

Rocky Road Cookies freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling, layer cookies between sheets of parchment in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. If you’d rather freeze unbaked dough balls, do so without the topping mixture, then dip and bake fresh when cravings strike.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked magic, pop a Rocky Road Cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm in a low oven for a couple of minutes. The chocolate gets melty, marshmallows go gooey, and you’re transported right back to cookie heaven.

FAQs

Can I substitute different nuts in Rocky Road Cookies?

Absolutely! While classic Rocky Road usually calls for almonds, you can swap in pecans, walnuts, or even hazelnuts for a different flavor and texture twist. Just keep the mix-ins to the same volume for the best results.

What if I can’t find instant chocolate pudding mix?

No worries — any instant chocolate pudding mix will work in a pinch. If you only have regular chocolate flavor (not fudge), your cookies will still turn out deliciously chewy and full of chocolate goodness.

Can these be made gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just make sure all your other ingredients (especially the pudding mix and marshmallows) are gluten-free.

What’s the best way to keep cookies soft?

Store your Rocky Road Cookies in an airtight container with a slice of sandwich bread. The cookies will absorb a touch of moisture from the bread, keeping them soft and fresh longer.

Can I double or halve this recipe?

Definitely — this recipe easily scales up for parties or down for smaller gatherings. Just adjust your baking time slightly if your cookies are bigger or smaller than suggested.

Final Thoughts

These Rocky Road Cookies are a knockout for chocolate lovers and always bring smiles wherever they’re shared. I can’t wait for you to try them — once you experience that ultimate blend of chocolate, toasted almonds, and gooey marshmallow, I know they’ll become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection too!