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Do you like Rocky Road Ice Cream? If so, you will love these Rocky Road Cookies! They’re crunchy and gooey just like the ice cream but without the melty mess. I had a hard time eating just one.

Four chocolate cookies with mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and drizzled chocolate frosting on top on white plate.

These cookies are made with chewy mini marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts, and drizzled with rich homemade chocolate frosting. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples so you probably won’t have to go to the store, which is always a plus.

Ingredients You Will Need for Cookies

Ingredients for rocky road cookies in bowls on wooden board.

Shortening provides richness, and flavor, and helps create a chewy texture.

Sugar sweetens the cookies.

Egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture and structure.

Flour is the main structural component that gives the cookies their form.

Cocoa creates the chocolate flavor base of the Rocky Road cookies.

Salt balances out the sweetness.

Baking Soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise during baking.

Buttermilk adds a slight tang and tenderness to the cookies. It also reacts with the baking soda to further aid leavening.

Vanilla Extract enhances the chocolate flavor.

Mini Marshmallows add sweetness and a gooey texture.

Walnuts provide a nutty flavor.

Ingredients You Will Need for Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients for chocolate frosting on wooden board. — Ingredients for chocolate frosting.

Powdered Sugar is the main sweetener in the frosting. It dissolves easily, creating a smooth texture and adding sweetness.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder provides the rich chocolate flavor and color.

Butter adds creaminess and richness to the frosting. It also helps incorporate air when creamed, making the frosting lighter and fluffier.

Milk thins the frosting to a spreadable consistency.

Vanilla Extract enhances the overall flavor of the chocolate frosting.

Salt balances the sweetness of the frosting. It can also intensify the chocolate flavor.

Why You’ll Enjoy Making Rocky Road Cookies

Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses common baking ingredients, likely already in most kitchens.

Classic and Delicious Combination: The combo of chocolatey cookie dough, chewy marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes in every bite. It’s a crowd-pleasing flavor profile.

No Chilling Required: This recipe doesn’t require chilling the dough, allowing for quicker baking.

Nostalgia Factor: Rocky Road is a classic flavor that many people associate with childhood treats or comforting desserts. Baking and eating these cookies can bring back happy memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brown batter in silver bowl. — Batter before baking.

How long will these cookies stay fresh? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. They can last up to a week in the refrigerator.

Why are my cookies spreading too much? There could be a couple of reasons. Did you use too much fat? Make sure you measure accurately. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help them hold their shape.

Can I make the cookies ahead of time? Yes! The dough can be chilled for up to 2 days before baking.

My cookies are too dry/not soft enough? This could be from over-mixing the dough or over-baking the cookies. Try baking for a minute or two less next time.

How can I tell if the cookies are done? The cookies will be slightly cracked on top and may look a little underdone in the center. They will continue to set as they cool.

Substitutions and Variations

Scoops of brown batter on cookie sheet. — Rounded scoops of batter on cookie sheet before baking.

Shortening: You can substitute butter or vegan butter for shortening in a 1:1 ratio. Butter might make the cookies spread slightly more, so you may need to adjust baking time.

Buttermilk: Regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice can be used in a pinch. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly.

Walnuts: Any nut you like can be used! Peanuts, cashews, pecans, or hazelnuts are all delicious options. You can even use a mix of nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars, or white chocolate chips to the dough for extra chocolate flavor.

Frosting: Instead of homemade frosting, you can drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel sauce.

What to Serve with Rocky Road Cookies

Cold Beverage: A tall glass of cold milk or a cup of unsweetened iced tea would be refreshing.

Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic pairing! A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the cookie creates a homemade Rocky Road sundae experience.

Savory and salty: For something unexpected, try some lightly salted pretzels or popcorn. The saltiness will help balance the sweetness of the cookies.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you like my Rocky Road Cookies, you might also like my S’mores Pie or my Chocolate Chip Dessert Pizza. These Rocky Road Brownies and these Whoopie Pies are also delicious.

Final Thoughts

You can’t go wrong with these cookies! If you love chocolate and marshmallows, these are just what you need. Crunchy, gooey, and chocolatey…what a great combination!