Rocky road brownies have been on my mind for WEEKS people. I have no idea why. Perhaps I’m missing the fact that no one makes a lactose free rocky road ice cream yet. (First world problem? Yeah, I think so.) The thing I love about this recipe is that it’s not overly sweet. They’re chewy and chocolate-y, but not gulp your milk down kind of overly-sweet that some brownies can be. It’s the perfect balance. Plus, who doesn’t love a lightly crisp brownie top? I wouldn’t care to know anyone that doesn’t.
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Marshmallow Pockets
So, the great thing about the marshmallows in these brownies is that they melt and create little gooey pockets of marshmallow-y goodness. (After saying this sentence to my husband and we decided that “marshmallow pockets” might be the most delicious thing I’ve ever said.) And I personally love the slight crunch from the pecans to give it some texture and interest. I’m a total pecan kind of girl. Any recipe that calls for nuts, I substitute pecans. They’re just superior. What’s crazy is how they say “pecans” in the south. Oh, you southerners are just a charm a minute.
How to make perfect Rocky Road Brownies
Making these deliciously soft and chewy chocolate bomb brownies is as simple as…
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8 or 9×9 cake pan with non-stick spray.
Melt butter and chocolate in a medium to large pan, stirring until fully melted.
Next, add all that sugar. I tried making this with a sugar substitute, but it did not look or taste good. So treat yourself and go with the regular ol’ white sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla and stir very well, until smooth.
Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt and stir again until it’s smooth and beautiful. Add nuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips and stir in.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until just set in the center and that lovely crispy top come out. Voila! You’re done!
Rocky Road Brownies – great any season
Let’s talk brownies with a scoop of ice cream in the summer. It’s the ultimate dessert in my humble opinion, and becomes even more delicious on a warm summer night.
In the fall, I like to pair these brownies with a cup of hot tea in the afternoon while cuddled on the couch.
In the winter, my favorite is to pair these with a glass of wine or hot cocoa if I want something really sweet.
And in the spring, I like these with something fresh like iced tea or sparkling water. No matter what you pair these with, you will love them!
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes ma’am! I’ve made these with the King Arthur Flour Measure for Measure and they were still heavenly! Check out this post about why I choose this flour substitute over all the others.
Can I make these dairy free?
Not really. I tried using a plant butter substitute but it was too thin. I may try again with coconut oil or another thicker substitute, but as of right now I found the butter to be essential to the texture and flavor.
Loving these Rocky Road Brownies? Try these other chocolate desserts!
Rocky Road Brownie
Ingredients
- 1 C salted butter
- 2 oz unsweetened chocolate bar (1/2 bakers bar)
- 2 C sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 C flour
- 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 C chocolate chips
- 3/4 C mini marshmallows
- 1/2 C chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan. Removes the easiest by lining with parchment paper and sprayed with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter and chocolate over medium heat, stirring often.
- Once melted, remove from heat and slowly add the sugar, stirring constantly.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Add vanilla extract and stir.
- Add in flour, cocoa powder and salt, stirring until combined. Add the chocolate chips, 1/2 C of marshmallows and the pecans. and stir to combine.
- Top with the remaining 1/4 C of marshmallows (or more, if you’d like) and bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the center springs back when touched lightly.
- Cool in pan on cooling rack until cooled. Slice and serve!
If you prefer even fudgier brownies use 4 oz of Bakers unsweetened chocolate as I did by mistake. Everything else stays the same. They are to die for and I will never go back to 2oz !!!