Homemade sweet treats can’t get any easier than a fudge recipe. Rocky Road Fudge Squares combines traditional Rocky Road ingredients like chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows. These are so delicious when served chilled right from the fridge!
If you ask me to choose one recipe that embodies everything I can remember about Christmastime and being a child, it has to be these Rocky Road Fudge Squares. I cannot begin to fathom how many of these squares I have eaten in my lifetime. They are the ultimate holiday treat, because everything about them screams indulgence.
AFTER ALL, CHRISTMASTIME IS FOR INDULGENCE!
Really, Dear Reader, there are few occasions that allow and permit such indulgence, and I think that the holidays is the most common. The week between Christmas Day and New Year’s is full of decadence, indulgence, and luxury. And, Rocky Road Fudge Squares are all of those things and more.
That’s why Rocky Road Fudge Squares had to be included in Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas series. When I was planning this series back in August, I battled with such an internal struggle about what recipes to include. I poured over my recipe books, recipe notes, and recipe memories, trying my best to narrow down the list. I started with the idea of doing a 12 Days of Christmas cookie series, but there were just too many great recipes.
At the suggestion of John.e, I increased the series from 12 to 24 and decided to change the 12 Days of Christmas theme to an advent calendar approach. Therefore, you’re now reading day 9 of my 24 Cookies of Christmas series.
MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES!
Did you know that I’ve been posting a 24 Cookies of Christmas series for a few years now? There are over 100 Christmas cookie recipes that you can find right here at Lord Byron’s Kitchen! To make it easier to find, I have created a page for each series. Just click on the image below and you’ll find the full series for that volume all one page!
START PLANNING EARLY, FOLKS!
In mid-August, while we were at the cottage for a week, the idea hit me. I was just as excited about it then as I am now. I’ve always loved Christmas and everything about it. I love the decorations, the traditions, the food, and of course, the baking!
I’ve mentioned in blog posts in the past that the life of a food blogger is always months ahead of everyone else. Case in point, spending a week at a secluded cottage in August, and thinking about recipes you’re going to make in December. It doesn’t get any better than that folks, and I absolutely love it!
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
- Butter – Make sure your butter is at room temperature! To be perfectly honest, I have made these with both salted and unsalted butter and there’s no difference in taste or appearance once all is said and done. Use what you have on hand.
- Peanut Butter – A paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts, along with sugar and other additives. When baking, I always use regular peanut butter, not the expensive natural peanut butters or nut butters.
- Chocolate Chips – I use chocolate chips a lot in my recipes, and I change up the type depending on how I feel. Unless the recipe states otherwise, you can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chips.
- Marshmallows – Every kid loves the taste and texture of a marshmallow! They are soft and puffy with just the right amount of sweetness and vanilla flavour. You can find them in all shapes and colours too – and vegan too!
- Peanuts – Roasted peanuts have the best flavour. If you need chopped peanuts, but whole peanuts and chop them yourself. You’ll get a better consistency and a fresher peanut flavour.
- Coconut – Baking coconut comes in sweetened and unsweetened and in different sizes. Unless otherwise stated, use unsweetened coconut when baking otherwise the result might be too sweet. Be sure to check the size too – is it supposed to be shredded, grated, etc? The size of the coconut will affect the outcome of your recipe.
NARROWING DOWN THE LIST OF RECIPES
It was important for me to include not only recipes that I loved and would make for my own family, but recipes that would cover a range of tastes and skills. I tried to include squares, cookies, and balls. I eliminated the idea of including cakes, tarts, or any other type of dessert, because I think Christmastime is a time for finger foods. And when was the last time you heard of a Christmas Pie Exchange?
Furthermore, I wanted to include recipes that were of the no-bake type as well. Cookies, squares, and balls all have so many no-bake options and fudge is no exception. Maybe that’s why my mother made this recipe so often. In fact, she made two versions of a rocky road bar, one baked and one not.
I decided to include this no-bake fudge version in the series to make it easier. I couldn’t find my mom’s recipe, so I took inspiration from Barry Parsons at Rock Recipes. You can find his original recipe here: Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars
MORE CHRISTMAS CONFECTIONS!
In some cases, we want more than a cookie. That’s why I have two more Christmas-themed collections you might want to consider. The first, is my 12 Bundt Cakes of Christmas, and the second is my 12 Biscotti of Christmas. Click on the image below to see each collection all on one page with links to each recipe!
MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZE OPTION
Rocky Road Fudge Squares is a recipe that can be made ahead of time and frozen. I love that about certain recipes. We all know how busy things can get around the holidays and not many of us find pleasure in being in the kitchen for much longer than we need to be. For those of you who fall into that category, a good fudge recipe is perfect!
These cookies will stay fresh for about 3-5 days in a covered container and in a cool place. But, if you plan to freeze these cookies, use a food-safe container that can be frozen. You’ll want to ensure a very tight fitting lid too. (I use these quite often when freezing baked goods.) I like to place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the container before pushing the lid on. This helps to create a better seal. The goal is to keep all of that cookie freshness locked in!
You can freeze these cookies for up to three months. They will come out of the freezer looking just like they did when you put them in there. Once you thaw them, they will taste just as fresh, and be just as soft, as the day you first made them.
Try them chilled from the fridge. They are so good like that. I love the contrast of the marshmallows against the crisp, cold chocolate!
Rocky Road Fudge Squares
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter
- 3/4 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 7 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup salted peanuts,
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
Instructions
- Line an 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle half of the coconut evenly over the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter and peanut butter together until smooth.
- Add the chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Remove from heat immediately.
- Place the marshmallows and nuts in a large mixing bowl. Pour the peanut butter and chocolate mixture over top. Quickly stir together until well mixed.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and spread it out to cover the entire pan.
- Sprinkle over the remaining coconut.
- Chill for 5 hours, or overnight. To slice, use a sharp knife, and cut into 24 even squares.
- Store in a food-safe container in the refrigerator. Can be frozen for up to three months.
Nutrition
Claudia Lamascolo says
Well since Rocky Road Ice Cream is my all time favorite I am pretty sure this will be my new found favorite recipe and over the top delicious. I just can’t wait to make this … I know it will be delicious!
Marisa Franca says
I can just picture you at the cottage with a pen and notebook dreaming up what you’ll be making during the holiday season. I love the idea of the 24 days of cookies that you’re sharing with us. I do believe that finger foods are the best during the holidays — cakes and tarts just don’t seem to store as well. Even though you don’t have your mom’s original recipe, the Rocky Road Fudge Squares look like they’re chock full of flavor and goodies. This is another recipe I’m saving for my cookie collection.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I love marshmallows in my fudge, and Rocky Road is one great flavor combo! In my house a holiday sweets tray must have fudge! I can’t wait to make this!
Jo says
Made these last year and everyone loved them, this year when mixing the marshmellows all melted into the mix, is it best to let the chocolate mixture cool some before mixing into marshmellows? Thanks