When it comes to baking cookies, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a classic chocolate chip or a rich, indulgent cookie packed with delicious mix-ins. But if you’re looking for a new twist on traditional cookies that’s just as easy to make and even more irresistible, then look no further than Rocky Road Cookies. This fun and tasty dessert is inspired by the classic Rocky Road flavor, combining gooey marshmallows, crunchy almonds, and rich chocolate chips into a cookie that’s as satisfying as it is simple to make.
Rocky Road Cookies Recipe: A Beginner-Friendly Delight
If you love marshmallows, chocolate, and almonds, these Rocky Road Cookies are for you! They’re quick, easy, and perfect for beginners—no mixer or chilling required. In just 22 minutes, you’ll have delicious cookies with the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, ready to enjoy with family and friends.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup halved mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While your oven is heating, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will ensure that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the baking sheets.
- Melt the butter: Place ½ cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for about 40 seconds. The butter should be mostly melted but not bubbling. If there are any small chunks left, stir them into the rest of the butter until fully melted.
- Mix the sugars: Add the ¾ cup of brown sugar and ¼ cup of granulated sugar to the melted butter. Use a whisk or spoon to mix everything together until the sugars are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Add vanilla and egg: Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 large egg. Mix until the egg is fully incorporated into the sugar-butter mixture. The mixture will be a little runny at this point, but don’t worry—it will come together once the dry ingredients are added.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Add 1 ⅓ cups of all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup of cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt to the wet ingredients. Stir everything together until just combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, but it should hold its shape when scooped.
- Fold in the fun stuff: Gently fold in the ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips, 1 cup of halved mini marshmallows, and ¼ cup of sliced almonds. These add-ins will bring flavor, texture, and richness to your cookies, making each bite a fun and delicious experience.
- Scoop the dough: Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Be sure to space each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 7-10 minutes. The cookies will puff up and may still look slightly underbaked in the center. This is perfectly normal—remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Measuring flour: For accurate results, make sure to measure your flour properly. Don’t scoop the flour directly from the bag with your measuring cup, as this can result in packing the flour and using too much. Instead, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife for the most accurate measurement.
- Baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they’re baking. If you prefer cookies that are a little softer in the center, take them out closer to 7 minutes. For cookies with a firmer texture, let them bake for a full 10 minutes.
- Sticky dough: If your dough feels too sticky to work with, don’t be afraid to dust your hands with a little extra flour to make it easier to scoop and shape.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs: For the best texture, use butter and eggs that are at room temperature. This ensures that they mix together smoothly and evenly, creating a more uniform dough.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or hours of preparation. In fact, this recipe can be whipped up in just 22 minutes—from start to finish! Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for a quick dessert that’ll impress friends and family, this Rocky Road Cookie recipe is the perfect choice. The best part? It’s made in just one bowl, with no mixer required, making it a hassle-free baking experience that’s beginner-friendly and full of flavor.
Why Rocky Road Cookies Are Perfect for Beginners
Rocky Road Cookies are a wonderful choice for anyone new to baking or looking for a quick yet indulgent treat. First of all, they don’t require any complicated steps. Everything from mixing the dough to baking the cookies is straightforward and doesn’t need any special kitchen equipment. The simplicity of this recipe allows even the most inexperienced bakers to create delicious cookies with ease. No mixer? No problem! With just a whisk and a spoon, you can create the perfect dough. And, because this recipe doesn’t require any chilling time, you can have warm, gooey cookies in just under 30 minutes.
Aside from being beginner-friendly, Rocky Road Cookies are also a great option for anyone looking to add some fun flavors and textures to their baking repertoire. The combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and almonds is classic and familiar, but it’s also incredibly versatile. If you’re looking to make the recipe your own, feel free to experiment with different nuts, chocolates, or even add-ins like peanut butter chips or crushed cookies for extra crunch.
So, let’s dive into the recipe and break down all the ingredients and steps needed to make this irresistible batch of Rocky Road Cookies.
Ingredients and Preparation
The beauty of this recipe is that it uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients, and there’s no need to run to the store for any exotic items. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious cookies:
For the cookies:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup halved mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
These ingredients combine to create the perfect dough for Rocky Road Cookies. If you’re looking to tweak the recipe, here are some alternative suggestions:
- Butter: You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter, but if you do, be sure to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe.
- Brown sugar: If you prefer a less intense sweetness, you can substitute brown sugar with white sugar or coconut sugar.
- Almonds: Feel free to swap out almonds for other nuts like pecans, walnuts, or even hazelnuts. You can also omit them if you prefer a nut-free cookie.
- Marshmallows: If you prefer to use mini marshmallows for a more even distribution, you can substitute them for larger marshmallows, just be sure to cut them into smaller pieces.
- Chocolate chips: Try adding white chocolate chips, milk chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for different flavor combinations.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we’ve gathered our ingredients, it’s time to get started! Here’s how to make the most delicious Rocky Road Cookies:
- Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While your oven is heating, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will ensure that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the baking sheets.
- Melt the butter: Place ½ cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for about 40 seconds. The butter should be mostly melted but not bubbling. If there are any small chunks left, stir them into the rest of the butter until fully melted.
- Mix the sugars: Add the ¾ cup of brown sugar and ¼ cup of granulated sugar to the melted butter. Use a whisk or spoon to mix everything together until the sugars are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Add vanilla and egg: Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 large egg. Mix until the egg is fully incorporated into the sugar-butter mixture. The mixture will be a little runny at this point, but don’t worry—it will come together once the dry ingredients are added.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Add 1 ⅓ cups of all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup of cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt to the wet ingredients. Stir everything together until just combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, but it should hold its shape when scooped.
- Fold in the fun stuff: Gently fold in the ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips, 1 cup of halved mini marshmallows, and ¼ cup of sliced almonds. These add-ins will bring flavor, texture, and richness to your cookies, making each bite a fun and delicious experience.
- Scoop the dough: Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Be sure to space each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 7-10 minutes. The cookies will puff up and may still look slightly underbaked in the center. This is perfectly normal—remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Beginner Tips and Notes
As you bake your Rocky Road Cookies, here are some beginner tips to ensure the best results:
- Measuring flour: For accurate results, make sure to measure your flour properly. Don’t scoop the flour directly from the bag with your measuring cup, as this can result in packing the flour and using too much. Instead, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife for the most accurate measurement.
- Baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they’re baking. If you prefer cookies that are a little softer in the center, take them out closer to 7 minutes. For cookies with a firmer texture, let them bake for a full 10 minutes.
- Sticky dough: If your dough feels too sticky to work with, don’t be afraid to dust your hands with a little extra flour to make it easier to scoop and shape.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs: For the best texture, use butter and eggs that are at room temperature. This ensures that they mix together smoothly and evenly, creating a more uniform dough.
Serving Suggestions
Rocky Road Cookies are perfect on their own, but if you want to elevate them even further, here are a few serving suggestions:
- Pair with a glass of milk: There’s nothing like the combination of warm cookies and cold milk. Enjoy your Rocky Road Cookies with a tall glass of your favorite milk (or a dairy-free alternative).
- Serve with ice cream: For the ultimate indulgence, serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. You can even sandwich the cookies together with ice cream for a delicious homemade cookie ice cream sandwich.
- Top with extra marshmallows: For a gooey treat, place a few more mini marshmallows on top of the cookies right after they come out of the oven and let them melt into the warm cookie.
Storage Tips for Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover cookies, here’s how to store them:
- Room temperature: Keep your Rocky Road Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, and the marshmallows will retain their gooey texture.
- Freezing: To store them for a longer period, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll last for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or microwave them for a few seconds to bring them back to life.
Conclusion
Rocky Road Cookies are the ultimate combination of rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy almonds. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, these cookies are a quick, fun, and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. With simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and a delightful payoff, they make the perfect treat for any occasion. So, give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below! We’d love to hear how your cookies turn out and any creative twists you added to make them your own. Happy baking!
