Sweet, chewy, and crunchy, this rocky road candy is loaded with rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and salty peanuts for a classic no-bake treat everyone loves.

Tray of rocky road candy clusters with melted chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallows set on parchment paper to cool.

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Grandma’s Favorite Rocky Road Candy

Growing up, rocky road candy was one of my favorite treats to help my grandma make, right alongside her famous divinity candy. With just 5 simple ingredients, it’s easy to recreate this nostalgic no-bake dessert at home.

Simply melt chocolate, peanut butter and nuts together, then fold in the marshmallows for a sweet and salty candy that’s easy to whip up and practically mess free!

These clusters, my rocky road fudge, Christmas crack and crockpot candy are my go-to recipes when I need a quick holiday dessert that’s perfect for neighbor gifts, holiday parties, or potlucks.

Ingredient Notes

Peanuts, chocolate chunks, and peanut butter in a crockpot before melting together for rocky road candy.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chocolate: I prefer a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and rich dark chocolate chunks. If you would like sweeter candy, add some milk chocolate chips, too.
  • Peanut butter: The creamy type works best. It is best not to use the natural, drippy kind though.
  • Peanuts: The saltiness of the peanuts perfectly balances out the sweet chocolate flavor. They also give the rocky road candy a nice crunch.
  • Marshmallows: I love the texture that mini marshmallows add. You stir them in once the chocolate has cooled a bit so that they keep their shape and don’t melt.

How to Make Rocky Road Candy

Mini marshmallows added to a bowl of melted chocolate mixture for homemade rocky road candy.
  1. Combine. Add all ingredients except marshmallows to the crockpot.
  2. Cook. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Remove the lid and stir until smooth.
  3. Mix. Turn the crockpot off and let the chocolate mixture cool (for about 2 minutes). Then add marshmallows and mix.
  4. Scoop. Immediately place rounded spoonfuls of the candy onto a lined cookie sheet. Top with chopped peanuts and extra marshmallows. Allow to cool before serving.
Rocky road candy clusters topped with mini marshmallows and chopped peanuts cooling on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Recipe Tips

  • Chocolate: Swap the chocolate chunks for 1 ¾ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, or use high-quality chocolate bars broken into pieces.
  • Nuts: Replace peanuts with almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a different flavor and crunch.
  • Marshmallows: Let the chocolate mixture cool slightly before stirring in the marshmallows so they don’t melt.
  • Bars: Instead of scooping into clusters, spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once firm, break into pieces.
  • Microwave: Instead of making rocking road candy clusters in the slow cooker, melt chocolate and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle with sea salt, shredded coconut, sprinkles, or dried fruit before the chocolate sets.
  • Chill: Speed up the setting process by placing the candy in the refrigerator until firm.
Close-up of rocky road candy showing layers of melted chocolate, whole peanuts, and fluffy marshmallows inside.

The Perfect Holiday Gift!

Package rocky road as a gift. I love to give this as a homemade Christmas food gift along with my 3 Musketeers Cool Whip candy recipe or my PayDay candy bar recipe!

Place a piece of parchment paper in a basket, treat box or holiday tin and place the rocky road inside. Then tie it with some baker’s twine and a holiday tag. So fun, festive, and delicious!

Homemade rocky road candy with chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallows packed in a festive holiday gift box with tissue paper.

More chocolate recipes I love to make include crunch bars, chocolate coconut balls, chocolate fudge or these homemade Twix bars.

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Rocky road candy clusters with chocolate, marshmallow and peanuts on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Rocky Road Candy

5 from 28 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Sweet, chewy, and crunchy, this rocky road candy is loaded with rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and salty peanuts for a classic no-bake treat everyone loves.
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Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Add ingredients to crock pot. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Combine 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks, 1/2 cup peanuts and 1 Tablespoon peanut butter in a slow cooker.
  • Melt on low then add marshmallows. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour. Remove lid and stir until smooth. Turn off the slow cooker and allow chocolate to cool for 2 minutes and then stir in 1 cup mini marshmallows.
  • Drop by spoonful on cookie sheet and cool. Immediately place rounded spoonful's onto the lined cookie sheet. Top with extra marshmallows and chopped peanuts if desired. Allow to cool.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variation: You can omit the chocolate chunks and use 1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips if desired.
Storage: Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or in the freezer for 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 38mg, Potassium: 201mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 15IU, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1.8mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular marshmallows?

Yes, but you will need to cut them into smaller pieces.

Can I make this nut-free?

Yes, but you will want to add a salty component like pretzels or sunflower seeds to make up for the peanuts and also swap the peanut butter for sunflower butter.

How to store rocky road chocolate candy?

This rocky road recipe will last about 1 to 2 weeks stored at room temperature, or about 3 weeks in the fridge. I prefer to chill mine in the fridge because it keeps the candy firm and it tastes delicious when chilled.

Can I freeze homemade rocky road?

Make sure the candy has cooled completely and firmed up prior to freezing. Then wrap clusters in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. It should last a couple of months in the freezer.

To thaw, place in the fridge overnight. I sometimes even snack on the rocky road right out of the freezer. I let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating. It’s still a little tough, but I think it’s yummy that way. :) If you’d prefer your rocky road on the softer side, then stick with the overnight method.