Creamy chocolate fudge filled with peanuts and marshmallows makes a chewy, crunchy, salty, sweet Rocky Road Fudge that all ages will enjoy.
Rocky Road ice cream has been one of my favorite ice cream flavors ever since I was a child and this Rocky Road Fudge has everything I love about the classic ice cream flavor mixed into a rich chocolate fudge.
Rocky Road brownies, Rocky Road chocolate bark, Rocky Road pretty much anything is sure to be a hit with my family. What’s not to love about a handful of chocolate filled with peanuts and marshmallows?
Rocky Road Fudge
When I was playing with ideas for new fudge recipes this holiday season, I knew I needed to make a rocky road fudge. I’ve put peanuts in fudge before, and I’ve put marshmallows in fudge, but I had yet to try both together.
I’m happy to report that the finished Rocky Road Fudge was just as good as I imagined it would be, if not better. It was a hit with my kids and given the opportunity we could have polished off the whole batch in no time at all.
5 Minute Fudge
I am so completely hooked on five-minute fudge recipes. Unlike traditional old-fashioned fudge recipes, no candy thermometers or other special equipment is required.
You don’t even need a stove to make this fudge. Everything melts in the microwave and then sets up in the fridge in just a few hours.
My 5 minute fudge obsession started with this simple Chocolate Pecan Fudge, a recipe I’ve used as the base for tons of chocolate fudge recipes since, including this one.
Rocky Road Fudge is the latest incarnation of 5 minute fudge I’m sharing this year. Don’t miss the others like White Chocolate Pretzel Fudge, bite size pieces of salty-sweet heaven. Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge, Chocolate Covered Oreo Fudge, and Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge are even more recipes you’re sure to enjoy.
I also plan to give this Eggnog Fudge and this Maple Nut Fudge a whirl this upcoming holiday season.
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl and this spatula to make this recipe.
Easy Rocky Road Fudge
You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- sweetened condensed milk
- butter
- vanilla extract
- miniature marshmallows
- salted peanuts
Peanuts are the traditional nut of choice for rocky road inspired desserts but just about any other nut would be tasty as well.
Almonds, walnuts, or pecans come to mind as excellent substitutes if you don’t have peanuts, are cooking for someone with a peanut specific allergy, or just want something different.
PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.
The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.
Even if you’ve had success subbing with something else in other recipes, I promise that you NEED to use sweetened condensed milk for this fudge recipe!
Rocky Road Fudge Recipe
Rocky Road Fudge starts by combining semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and butter in a glass bowl. After microwaving for 90 seconds, stir everything together until well combined and smooth.
Add vanilla extract, peanuts and miniature marshmallows to the chocolate, then pour the fudge into a pan lined with parchment paper. Chill until firm, slice and serve! It’s hard to think of homemade fudge that’s any easier.
I like to slice this fudge into 1 inch squares. It’s so rich that having the option to have just a bite at a time is wonderful, but feel free to slice it into whatever size squares or rectangles you like.
The recipe can also be halved to make a smaller amount of fudge, just pour the warm fudge into a loaf pan to chill to get the right consistency
This rich and nutty fudge pairs perfectly well with a cold glass of milk for an after school treat and makes a satisfying pick-me-up with a cup of coffee, too.
If you don’t have a microwave or prefer not to use one, it’s easy to make this recipe on the stovetop as well. Simply use a double boiler to melt the butter, chocolate and milk together, stirring as you go.
Whether you make fudge in the microwave or on the stovetop, it’s a treat that’ll keep everyone coming back for just one more taste.
How to Store Fudge
These fudge recipes will store very nicely in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to two months. I love the convenience of making a few different varieties of fudge long in advance and having it ready to share with friends and family for parties or casual get-togethers.
Store the sliced fudge in an airtight container, separating the layers with wax paper or parchment. Store the different flavors in separate containers to maintain the best taste.
It’s also convenient to have a fridge or freezer stocked with fudge when you need a last-minute gift. Put a couple of dozen squares of fudge in a gift box wrapped with ribbon and you have an instant homemade gift that anyone would be excited to receive.
Everyone likes fudge and Rocky Road Fudge is sure to become a new favorite.
Rocky Road Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup salted peanuts
Instructions
- Combine the milk, the chocolate, and the butter in a medium size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. (If you aren't a fan of the microwave, you can easily melt the chocolate, milk and butter in a double boiler on the stove top.)
- Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds if needed. Add the extract and stir until smooth. Stir in the peanuts and marshmallows and scoop the mixture onto a parchment lined tray.
- Spread with a spatula to approximately 1-inch thickness. Chill until ready to serve. Slice into squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 11/19/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/11/23}
Laurie Forbes says
What size tray?
Mary says
8″ square for the full recipe or a loaf pan for a 1/2 recipe.
dianna sorrels says
can some one please tell my why fudge is being made in a microwave ?
Mary says
It’s a shortcut recipe. Feel free to melt the chocolate on the stovetop or make a more traditional fudge instead.
Phyllis Warmerdam says
No burning and scraping off the bottom of the pot.
Jessica Orika says
I love the way it looks and I definitely want to try out this recipe. Looks like something I’d love. Wish me luck! Thanks for sharing.
Corkey Trevvett says
I am making this tomorrow to give out as gifts…….plan to use walnuts. Love Rocky Road 😇
Joy Hollis says
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Susan says
Cashews work well in this recipe—it’s my preferred nut for Rocky Road.
Leann says
Would you need to let the chocolate mixture cool a bit before adding the marshmallows to prevent the marshmallows from melting?
Mary says
If you stir in the peanuts first, it usually cools enough that they don’t melt. I do stir them in quickly and try not to stir long enough that they melt. Enjoy!
Leann says
I was thinking mixing in the peanuts first might help. Thanks!
Sarah says
I made this and it’s super tasty; although I am just wondering exactly how long I need to chill it? I feel like I cut into it maybe an hour after putting in the fridge and it seemed a bit too gooey to cut.
Sarah says
Left alone for two days and set just fine!
Barbara Owart says
Great recipe similar to a recipe called tutti frutti fudge that I lost the recipe for. I like to melt the chocolate in a double boiler method for best quality and no burning. My original recipe calls for a cup of cut maraschino cherries which I added to this recipe along with chopped pecans. Refrigerated over night and just cut into squares. Very good and easy!
Sandy Malugwn says
I made this last Christmas and gave it to my neighbors, they loved it and one neighbor came back and asked if I had more.
Val says
Appreciate that email not shared Thankyou😊
Julie Jeffery says
Can replace butter to margarine in Rocky Road Fudge. And melt them in my coal pan
Virginia O'Malley says
Why would you ever want to use margarine?
Kim says
Followed the recipe exactly but fudge didn’t set up. The 4 minute cook time is not enough. It does have a good taste but you have to eat it with a spoon.
Lisa M says
Made this recipe . Love love love it. Roasted up some almonds and chopped them up. Such a good recipe, added it to my phone . Picked this recipe because Mary said go ahead and use double boiler. I try not to use the microwave for fudge.
Dimitria says
Great recipe my family & guests loved it especially my kids & husband!
I figured out what size pan to use but, you might want to add it in the recipe.
Thank you!
Anita says
What size of pan did you did use?
Roger Marple says
Is the pan size an 8×8?
Mary Younkin says
This will work nicely in an 8×8 pan, Roger. I typically just scoop it on to a parchment-lined tray and spread it to the thickness I want.
Nadia says
I just made a batch, super simple and delicious!
Mary says
I’m so glad you like it, Nadia!
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE rocky road fudge 🙂
Mary Younkin says
We love it too, Aimee!
Lynn says
Hi, I want to try your fudge recipes. Do you use unsalted or salted butter?
Mary Younkin says
I use salted butter in all my recipes, Lynn.
Jean says
Any chance of recipe in grams or oz please. Looks fab to make at brownies .
Mary Younkin says
Hi Jean, that isn’t something I am able to provide here, but if you cup and paste the ingredient list into an online calculator, you should be able to figure it out. Enjoy the fudge!