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Rocky Road Brownies

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These rocky road brownies are loaded with walnuts and chocolate chips and topped with mini marshmallows. They’re rich, fudgy, and super easy to make–all you need is a mixing bowl and a spatula to make them!

sliced rocky road brownies on a wire rack

We all need a fancy brownie recipe up our sleeves don’t we? Something out of the ordinary and extra-special. A recipe easy enough to make any time you have a chocolate craving, but gussied up enough that you can serve them as dessert on special occasions.

Enter rocky road brownies: the addition of crunchy walnuts, sweet chocolate chips, and soft marshmallows make this brownie recipe totally over the top. And bonus, they’re crazy easy to make!

Basically, if you can stir a few ingredients together in a bowl, you can make these brownies. Just a few minutes of active time and you’re well on your way to rich, chocolatey, fudgy brownie heaven!

Why you’ll love this rocky road brownie recipe

  • No mixer required! Just a bowl and a spatula.
  • No strange ingredients to chase down; you probably have everything in your pantry right now.
  • You can omit the walnuts or substitute another nut you prefer—this recipe is super forgiving!

How to Make Rocky Road Brownies

how to make rocky road brownies step by step

  • Combine granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, and espresso powder (optional ingredient but it makes the brownies more chocolatey) in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.  
  • Stir in melted chocolate and butter mixture.

how to make rocky road brownies 2

  • Mix in flour and salt until just combined.
  • Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.  

Baker’s tip: When a recipe says to stir in flour until just combined, that means you shouldn’t see any big white streaks of flour in your batter; once the big white streaks disappear, STOP STIRRING.  Over-mixing brownie batter (or cake batter or cookie dough) can result in tougher baked goods.

Scrape the batter into a baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Then top the brownies with mini marshmallows and bake a few minutes more.

overhead shot of marshmallows on top of the brownies

See how most of the marshmallows have puffed up a bit and smooshed (technical term) into each other? That’s what you’re going for; the brownies are done. And really, really delicious.

Not that I’m telling you to slice them before they’ve cooled but if you wanted to eat one little corner at this point as a reward for your baking efforts I’d totally understand. Just don’t burn your mouth.

Although, for rocky road brownies, it’d be kinda worth it. (I speak from experience.)

Can I Freeze Rocky Road Brownies?

YES!  You can freeze these brownies!  Wrap them tightly and you can freeze for up to two months.  That being said, these rocky road brownies are best when they’re fresh.  They stay nicely fudgy when stored (in an airtight container) at room temp for a couple of days.  

Basically, if you’re planning to serve these to people I recommend serving the day you make them, or even the day after.  But certainly you can store leftovers in the freezer.  

A few more chocolate desserts (in case you’re hungry)
Flourless Brownies
Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Chocolate Coconut Bars

two rocky road brownies on a plate with a bite taken out of one

Did you make these rocky road brownies? That’s great!  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment and a rating below.  And post a pic on IG! Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your creations! 

5 from 13 votes
sliced rocky road brownies on a wire rack
Print
Rocky Road Brownies
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
34 mins
Total Time
49 mins
 

Easy rocky road brownies are loaded with walnuts and chocolate chips and topped with marshmallows. They're rich, fudgy, and delicious!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Author: Kelsie
Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate finely chopped
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 10 ounces mini marshmallows
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13- by 9-inch baking dish with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray and set pan aside.
  2. Combine the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth. (Or you can do this in the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water.) Set the mixture aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Combine the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and espresso powder (if using) in a large mixing bowl. Stir vigorously with a rubber spatula until well combined. Stir in the chocolate mixture.
  4. Add the flour and salt and mix until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
  5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 32 to 38 minutes, until the brownies have just begun to pull away from the pan at the edges. Top with the marshmallows and return brownies to the oven for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the marshmallows have started melting together.
  6. Cool completely before slicing and serving. Store uneaten brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe Notes

Be sure not to over-mix--over-mixing can result in a tough brownie.  After you add the flour, stir just until you no longer see big white streaks running through the batter.

Comments

  1. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    May 6, 2019 at 5:05 am


    Crazy easy to make, you say? Yes! Sign me up! These look scrumptious, Kelsie and a fun mash up between rocky road and brownie. Can’t wait to try! Pinned 🙂 Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend!

    Reply

  2. David @ Spiced says

    May 6, 2019 at 5:14 am


    Smooshed is most definitely a technical baking term! I knew exactly what you were referring to when I read that. It’s smooshed. It makes sense! As far as these brownies, they also make sense. And I bet they would make even more sense on the way into my mouth. Haha! These look amazing, Kelsie! 🙂

    Reply

  5. Milena says

    May 6, 2019 at 7:42 am


    I’d love to try my hand at these! Since we live near Rocky Mountain National Park local sweets shops and ice cream places always have a version of Rocky Road Brownies. Sometimes really good, sometimes not so much. These babies look fantastic! And I love how easy your recipe is.

    Reply

  9. Laura says

    May 6, 2019 at 11:33 am


    When I was a kid, Rocky Road was the new and exciting ice cream flavor! Even for an ice cream fanatic like me, I think this Rocky Road Brownie might beat that ice cream for flavor, texture and satisfaction! I’m a fan, Kelsie!

    Reply

  13. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    May 6, 2019 at 4:54 pm


    Believe it or not but I haven’t had a good brownies for a very long time. Interesting that I added once marshmallows directly into the brownie batter, but I love the idea of arranging them on top and let them puff a little even more. I certainly wouldn’t mind a slice or two, with almonds and cranberries. Do you have this variety by any chance? 🙂

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      May 8, 2019 at 5:21 am

      I like the idea of adding them directly to the batter, and I LOVE the idea of adding almonds and cranberries! If I play around with that combo I’ll send you a batch for sure 🙂

      Reply

  14. Jenna says

    May 7, 2019 at 7:38 am

    Yum! That marshmallow topping has me drooling! I love how easy they are to make. Any recipe that doesn’t require my mixer is a winner in my book.

    Reply

  15. Marissa says

    May 7, 2019 at 10:56 pm


    I love rocky road ice cream so these brownies are totally making my mouth water, Kelsie! You can’t beat rich chocolate with marshmallows and nuts…must try!

    Reply

  16. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    May 8, 2019 at 8:09 am

    Can never turn down brownies! They’re so good, and come in so many different flavors. Haven’t had rocky road brownies — or rock road anything! — in ages. Great looking recipe — thanks!

    Reply

  17. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:03 am


    Omg these look incredible! Those puffy marshmallows on top are everything! I’d totally be the one to dig in straight from the oven and burn my mouth on a molten lava marshmallow! 🙂

    Reply

  18. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    May 10, 2019 at 4:02 am


    I’ve made rocky road brownies before but nothing like these Kelsie! Love that you piled on the marshmallows! I bet they are ooey gooey delicious! I wouldn’t be able to wait for these to cool to cut into them! Happy weekend!

    Reply

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