Rocky road candy is a sweet, chocolatey treat that’s easy to make at home. All you need are some marshmallows, chocolate, and nuts – and you’re good to go!
This tasty twist on the traditional ice cream flavor is made in the microwave in 5 minutes and prepared as candy clusters instead of frozen scoops. This quick and easy no-bake candy recipe requires only 5 ingredients and makes a big batch of homemade candy that you can sink your teeth into!
Homemade Rocky Road Candy Clusters
Our Rocky Road Candy Clusters are so easy to make simply by melting chocolate chips in the microwave and mixing in mini marshmallows and peanuts.
This is the best Rocky Road recipe ever because you literally melt, mix, and make mounds of homemade peanut marshmallow candy.
This is the best way to cook candy because it doesn’t require a thermometer or any special equipment.
The combination of smooth chocolate, chewy marshmallows, and crunchy peanuts is the perfect blend of flavors and textures; ideal for gift-giving and easy to dress up with decorative colors for Christmas or trays of holiday treats.
Why We Love Homemade Rocky Road Candy
- Quick and easy to make in 5 minutes.
- Only uses 5 ingredients.
- Chewy, crunchy, salty, and sweet in every bite.
- Customize your chocolate marshmallow clusters to exclude nuts, dairy, or other allergy-specific foods.
- A delicious double dose of chocolate coats the crunchy peanuts and soft marshmallows.
- Perfect sweet and salty treat for after-school snacks, potlucks, parties, or gift-giving.
Ingredients for Rocky Road Candy
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Milk chocolate chips
- Vegetable oil
- Mini marshmallows
- Dry roasted peanuts
Substitutions and Additions
- Choose Your Chocolate: Instead of using chocolate chips, choose some chocolate almond bark instead. You can also make your chocolate marshmallow clusters with dark chocolate chips or a combination of chips or swap the milk chocolate for butterscotch chips.
- Prepare Without Peanuts: You can substitute another nut, like chopped walnuts, almonds, cashews, or pecans.
- More Mix-Ins: Feel free to add your favorite sweet or salty ingredients for more flavor and texture contrasts. Some ideas include pretzels, candy pieces, cereal (like Rice Krispies or Chex), crushed cookies, or pumpkin seeds.
- Customize Your Clusters: Decorate your candy with festive sprinkles and assorted colors to match a holiday or party theme. Use red and green colors for Christmas, pink and red for Valentine’s Day, and orange for Halloween.
Recommended Tools
- Wax paper
- Mixing bowl
- Cookie scoop
- Baking sheets
See Full Recipe Card Below
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Rocky Road Candy
- Melt: Microwave the chocolate chips and oil in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Mix: Stir in the mini marshmallows and peanuts to completely coat in chocolate.
Pro Tip: Make sure the chocolate has cooled to lukewarm before stirring in the mix-ins. - Scoop: Scoop the candy clusters onto the lined baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator to set before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy!
Tips on Making homemade Candy
- You can substitute multi-colored miniature marshmallows for the white miniature marshmallows.
- Make sure the chocolate isn’t too hot when you mix in the marshmallows. You don’t want them to melt.
- Fill a cookie tin or cellophane bag with your candy clusters and give it as a gift for the holidays.
How to Store Rocky Road Candy
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Homemade Candy Recipes
Other Easy Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Lasagna Recipe
- Texas Sheet Cake
- No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie
- Chocolate Pudding Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Brownies
- Death By Chocolate Poke Cake
- Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies
Rocky Road Candy
Serves — 30
Rocky Road Candy is the best no bake treat! Easy to make chocolate coated mounds of peanuts and mini marshmallows are chewy, crunchy, salty, and sweet — delicious!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1½ cups dry roasted cocktail peanuts
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper and set them aside.
- Add the chocolate chips and vegetable oil to a large heat-safe mixing bowl. Heat the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Allow the chocolate to cool to lukewarm before stirring in the miniature marshmallows and peanuts until the marshmallows and nuts are completely coated.
- Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the candy clusters. Space the clusters about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Allow the candy to chill in the refrigerator to completely set before serving.
Jenn’s Notes
Servings: 30 – 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop
Storage:
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can substitute multi-colored miniature marshmallows for the white miniature marshmallows.
- Make sure the chocolate isn’t too hot when you mix in the marshmallows. You don’t want them to melt.
- Fill a cookie tin or cellophane bag with your candy clusters and give it as a gift for the holidays.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
I just made the chocolate clusters. How long does it take for them to take form in the fridge?
I usually leave in the fridge overnight. But it should be good in a few hours.
Can these be frozen ?
Wrap it well in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. It can typically be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it at room temperature for a short time before serving. Freezing can sometimes alter the texture of the marshmallows, making them a bit chewier.
Hiya, I am in the uk, what is the difference between semi sweet and milk choc chips?
Thanks x
The primary difference between semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips is their sugar and milk content. Semi-sweet chocolate chips have a higher cocoa content and less sugar compared to milk chocolate chips, giving them a richer, less sweet chocolate flavor. Milk chocolate chips, on the other hand, contain more sugar and milk solids, which gives them a creamier texture and sweeter, milder chocolate taste.
What is the purpose of the vegetable oil, please. Can you leave it out? Thanks for your response.
Hi Donna – I would not leave it out. If you don’t add vegetable oil, the chocolate may be thicker and less manageable, which could result in a less smooth and more matte appearance in the finished candies; they might also be more prone to clumping or seizing.
These are so delicious!! Did them in my crockpot and substitute vegetable oil with coconut oil.. Thank you for the recipe and will definitely be adding this to our family’s favourites.
How much coconut oil did you use instead of vegetable oil?