Rocky Road Fudge

Rich, dark chocolate fudge, studded with crunchy nuts and chewy marshmallows, a textural and flavorful wonderland in every bite, Rocky Road Fudge is a timeless confection, a delightful combination of creamy sweetness and playful textures that brings joy to every occasion. This is not just a simple fudge recipe; it’s an adventure for your taste buds, perfectly balancing the smooth richness of chocolate fudge with the satisfying crunch of nuts and the soft chewiness of marshmallows, creating a treat that is both incredibly easy to make and utterly irresistible to devour. Imagine the enticing aroma of melting chocolate and vanilla filling your kitchen, the vibrant colors of the marshmallows and nuts peeking through the dark fudge, and the first square delivering a perfect harmony of creamy, crunchy, and chewy textures, promising a confectionary experience that is both quick to create and utterly delightful to share. This recipe is your invitation to create a classic homemade treat, bringing the nostalgic charm of Rocky Road Fudge to your table, ready to be enjoyed by everyone with its delightful textures and effortless preparation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

No-Bake Dessert for Instant Gratification

Appreciate the simplicity of Rocky Road Fudge. This no-bake recipe comes together quickly and easily, requiring minimal effort and no oven time, making it the perfect dessert for instant gratification and satisfying sweet cravings in minutes. Enjoy a delicious homemade treat without the fuss of baking, making it the ideal choice for busy bakers or last-minute dessert needs.

Perfectly Customizable with Your Favorite Mix-Ins

Indulge in the customizable fun of Rocky Road Fudge, a recipe that allows you to personalize it with your favorite nuts, marshmallows, and other mix-ins to create a unique and signature fudge. Experiment with different nut varieties, marshmallow flavors, or add-ins like dried fruit or chocolate pieces to create endless variations to suit your taste. Savor the creative freedom to tailor this recipe to your liking, offering a truly versatile and customizable base for your fudge creations.

Classic Flavor Combination Everyone Loves

Discover the timeless appeal of Rocky Road Fudge, a confection that combines the universally loved flavors of rich chocolate, crunchy nuts, and chewy marshmallows, creating a dessert that is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for all ages. This classic flavor combination is a perennial favorite for a reason, with its comforting and familiar taste making it a hit at parties, holidays, or any gathering. Enjoy a dessert that is both nostalgic and universally appealing, offering a truly crowd-pleasing and enjoyable treat.

Ideal for Gifting and Sharing

Embrace the gift-giving potential of Rocky Road Fudge, a treat that is perfect for packaging up and sharing with friends, family, or neighbors, making it a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for any occasion. Its sturdy texture and appealing appearance make it ideal for gifting, offering a truly personal and appreciated homemade present. Enjoy the joy of sharing this delightful confection, making it the perfect choice for spreading sweetness and homemade goodness.

Treat for Stress-Free Entertaining

Appreciate the make-ahead convenience of Rocky Road Fudge, a dessert that can be prepared days in advance and stored perfectly in the refrigerator, making it a stress-free option for entertaining or holiday gatherings. Prepare a batch of fudge ahead of time and have a delicious dessert ready to go whenever you need it, simplifying your party planning and ensuring a sweet treat is always on hand. Enjoy the practicality of having a ready-made dessert that is perfect for advance preparation and stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients

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For the Rich and Creamy Fudge Base

• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, one 14-ounce can. Sweetened condensed milk forms the creamy and sweet base of the fudge, providing a smooth and rich texture without the need for candy thermometers or complicated techniques. Sweetened condensed milk is the key to easy and foolproof fudge.
• 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chips. Chocolate chips provide the rich chocolate flavour of the fudge. Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a balanced chocolate flavour, while dark chocolate chips create a more intense and less sweet fudge, and milk chocolate chips result in a sweeter and milder fudge. Choose your preferred chocolate type for desired flavour profile.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, unsalted butter, or coconut oil. Unsalted butter or coconut oil adds richness, shine, and a smoother texture to the fudge, enhancing its overall mouthfeel and flavour. Unsalted butter provides a classic buttery flavour, while coconut oil offers a vegan alternative.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure vanilla extract. Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavour profile of the fudge, adding a warm and aromatic note that complements the chocolate and other mix-ins. Pure vanilla extract provides the best flavour.
• Pinch of salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavours in the fudge, preventing a flat or overly sweet taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. A pinch is sufficient to balance sweetness.

For the Signature Rocky Road Mix-Ins

• 2 cups mini marshmallows, mini marshmallows, or regular marshmallows, roughly chopped. Mini marshmallows are traditionally used in Rocky Road Fudge, providing a soft and chewy texture and a classic marshmallow flavour. Regular marshmallows can be used, roughly chopped into smaller pieces.
• 2 cups nuts, walnuts, or almonds, or pecans, roughly chopped, roasted or raw. Nuts provide the signature crunch in Rocky Road Fudge. Walnuts and almonds are classic choices, while pecans offer a sweeter and richer nut flavour. Choose your preferred nut variety. Roasting nuts enhances their flavour and crunch. Roughly chop nuts for even distribution in the fudge.

Optional for Extra Flavor and Texture

• ½ cup dried fruit, raisins, or cranberries, or chopped dried apricots (optional). Dried fruit adds a chewy texture and a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the fudge, complementing the chocolate and nuts. Raisins, cranberries, or chopped dried apricots are good options. Dried fruit is optional but adds another layer of flavour and texture.
• ½ cup chocolate chunks, or chopped chocolate bar, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate (optional). Chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bar adds extra chocolate intensity and textural variation to the fudge. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks can be added for extra chocolate richness. Chocolate chunks are optional but enhance chocolate flavour and texture.

How to Make Rocky Road Fudge ?

Step 1: Prepare the Fudge Base

Line an 8×8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal. Line an 8×8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal of the fudge after it sets. Parchment paper prevents sticking and simplifies removal.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter (or coconut oil). In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter (or coconut oil) for melting. Microwave-safe bowl is needed for melting in microwave.

Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Microwave mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stirring prevents scorching and ensures even melting. Microwave in short intervals to prevent overheating.

Alternatively, melt chocolate mixture in a double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Double boiler is an alternative method for melting chocolate gently over simmering water. Stir constantly to prevent scorching.

Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Stir in vanilla extract and salt to enhance the flavour of the melted chocolate fudge base.

Step 2: Incorporate Rocky Road Mix-Ins

Add mini marshmallows and nuts to the melted chocolate mixture. Add mini marshmallows and chopped nuts to the melted chocolate mixture.

Add dried fruit and chocolate chunks (optional), if using. Add dried fruit and chocolate chunks (optional) for extra flavour and texture, if desired.

Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly, distributing marshmallows, nuts, and other mix-ins throughout the fudge base. Gentle stirring prevents marshmallows from melting too much.

Step 3: Set the Rocky Road Fudge

Pour fudge mixture into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Pour fudge mixture into parchment-lined baking dish and spread evenly to create a uniform fudge slab.

Press down gently to ensure even distribution of mix-ins and smooth surface. Press down gently to ensure even distribution of mix-ins and create a smooth fudge surface.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fudge is firm and set. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fudge is firm and set. Refrigeration is necessary for fudge to solidify and set properly.

Step 4: Cut and Serve

Once fudge is set, lift out of baking dish using parchment paper overhang. Once fudge is firm and set, lift it out of the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang for easy removal.

Cut Rocky Road Fudge into squares or desired shapes. Cut fudge into squares or desired shapes using a sharp knife. Cutting into squares is traditional, but other shapes can be used.

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Serve chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. Fudge can be enjoyed cold or slightly softened at room temperature.

Enjoy each creamy, crunchy, and chewy square of homemade fudge.

Tips for Variations

Dark Chocolate Intensity Boost

Use dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate for a richer and less sweet fudge base. Dark chocolate will create a more intense and sophisticated chocolate flavour.

Milk Chocolate Sweetness Indulgence

Use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate for a sweeter and milder fudge base, appealing to those who prefer sweeter treats. Milk chocolate will result in a sweeter and creamier fudge.

Peanut Butter Swirl Creamy Addition

Swirl peanut butter, melted, into the fudge mixture before setting for a creamy peanut butter swirl throughout the fudge. Melted peanut butter adds a creamy texture and nutty peanut butter flavour.

Espresso Powder Coffee Kick

Add espresso powder or instant coffee powder to the melted chocolate mixture for a subtle coffee flavour enhancement. Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavour and adds a subtle coffee note.

Peppermint Extract Holiday Flavor

Add peppermint extract to the melted chocolate mixture for a festive peppermint flavour, perfect for holiday fudge. Peppermint extract adds a refreshing and festive peppermint flavour.

Serving Suggestions

Fudge Platter Dessert Board

Arrange Rocky Road Fudge squares on a dessert platter with other homemade treats like cookies, brownies, and candies for a beautiful dessert board. Dessert platter offers a variety of treats for guests to choose from.

Ice Cream Sundae Topping Decadent Addition

Crumble Rocky Road Fudge and use it as a topping for ice cream sundaes, adding texture and flavour to your favorite ice cream. Fudge crumbles add texture and chocolate flavour to ice cream sundaes.

Hot Chocolate Stir-In Rich Beverage

Stir a square of Rocky Road Fudge into a mug of hot chocolate for an extra rich and decadent hot beverage. Fudge melts into hot chocolate, adding flavour and richness.

Coffee or Tea Sweet Accompaniment

Serve Rocky Road Fudge alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea as a sweet accompaniment for a cozy afternoon treat. Coffee or tea are classic beverage pairings that complement the sweetness of the fudge.

Gift Boxes Homemade Presents

Package Rocky Road Fudge squares in decorative gift boxes or bags to give as homemade presents to friends, family, or neighbors. Fudge makes a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift.

FAQ

Can I use different types of nuts in Rocky Road Fudge?

Yes, you can use different types of nuts like pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, or even salted peanuts in Rocky Road Fudge. Experiment with different nut combinations to create your own signature Rocky Road Fudge.

How do I prevent marshmallows from melting too much in the fudge?

To prevent marshmallows from melting too much, add them to the melted chocolate mixture after it has cooled slightly and stir gently just until combined. Gentle stirring and slightly cooled chocolate prevent excessive melting.

Can I make Rocky Road Fudge without nuts?

Yes, you can make Rocky Road Fudge without nuts for a nut-free version. Simply omit the nuts and increase the amount of marshmallows or add other mix-ins like dried fruit or chocolate pieces. Nut-free version is suitable for those with nut allergies.

How long does Rocky Road Fudge stay fresh?

Rocky Road Fudge stays fresh at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container. Store fudge in a cool, dry place to maintain its texture and freshness.

Can I freeze Rocky Road Fudge?

Rocky Road Fudge can be frozen. Cut fudge into squares, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Freezing is a convenient way to store fudge for longer periods.

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