Enjoy smooth and creamy chocolate fudge loaded with nuts and marshmallows.
This decadently rich fudge can be whipped up in minutes using just five ingredients.
Rocky Road Fudge
The classic flavor combination of rocky road -- chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts -- is one of my favorites.
I'll never turn down the ice cream version, but this rocky road fudge is so yummy and easy to make. Choose any nuts you prefer for this recipe. I suggest walnuts, peanuts, or almonds.
This easy fudge recipe can be made in either the microwave or on the stove-top.
If you choose the stove-top, I suggest a double boiler. For another fabulous, easy fudge recipe made with chocolate and marshmallows, check out this marshmallow fudge.
Everything you need to know about how to make fudge can be found on this FAQ page.
watch this short video to see how to make rocky road fudge
how to make the best rocky road fudge
you will need:
CHOCOLATE CHIPS
This recipe uses 2 cups (12 ounces) of semi-sweeet chocolate chips. I use the Nestle brand.
SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK
You'll need a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. Do NOT substitute evaporated milk. My preferred brand is Carnation.
VANILLA EXTRACT
For the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, we recommend using pure extract and not imitation.
DASH OF SALT
A dash of salt helps to balance the sweetness and emphasize the flavors of your fudge.
NUTS
We recommend 1 ½ cups of coarsely chopped walnuts or peanuts.
MINI MARSHMALLOWS
You'll mix in 3 cups of mini marshmallows. TIP: Place the marshmallows in the refrigerator before prepping the fudge so they don't melt when you stir them into the warm chocolate mixture.
TOOLS YOU NEED:
- 8 or 9-inch square baking pan
- cooking spray
ingredients and supplies
Nestlé Toll House Chocolat...Shop on Amazon
Carnation Sweetened Condens...Shop on Amazon
Fisher Chef's Naturals Waln...Shop on Amazon
Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallo...Shop on Amazon
Wilton Recipe Right Non-Sti...Shop on Amazon
Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick Alu...Shop on Amazon
let's make rocky road fudge!
Grease a square baking pan or line with non-stick foil.
In a large, microwave safe bowl, place 2 cups chocolate chips and a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power.
Stir well, using the residual heat to fully melt the chocolate. The mixture should be smooth. If needed, microwave an additional 15 seconds.
To melt the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk on the stove-top, see instructions below.
Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped walnuts or peanuts.
Fold in 3 cups of mini marshmallows.
Pour and spread into the pan.
Chill until well set, several ours, and cut into squares.
how do you make a double boiler?
This recipe is very easy to make in the microwave, but if you prefer cooking on the stove-top, it's best to melt chocolate in a double boiler (also called a bain marie).
A double boiler lets you heat water on the bottom hot enough to melt the chocolate set above the water. This helps prevent the chocolate from scorching.
If you don't own a double boiler, simply fill a sauce pan about a quarter of the way full with water. Bring the water to a boil and lower to a simmer. Rest a heat-safe bowl on top, allowing a couple inches between the bowl and the water.
Pour your chocolate and any other ingredients in the bowl and stir until melted.
The video you can find at the post for chocolate fudge has a fantastic visual guide for how melting chocolate should look.
can I substitute evaporated milk for the sweetened condensed milk?
Eek! No! This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, which is a great shortcut for easy fudge because it allows you to skip the candy-making stage of creating a sugar syrup.
However, evaporated milk is not the same thing, and it cannot be used as a substitute. For more fudge recipes that use sweetened condensed milk, check out Chocolate Fudge and >>>>
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printable rocky road fudge recipe
Delicious, easy Rocky Road Fudge is filled with chocolate, walnuts, and marshmallows
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 12 ounces
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped walnuts or peanuts
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by lining it with lightly greased parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
In a large, microwave-safe bowl place the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Use the residual heat to stir the mixture well until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. If necessary, microwave for additional 15 second intervals.
If you prefer to cook on the stove-top instead of the microwave, melt the chocolate and milk in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl on top of a saucepan of simmering water.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, nuts, and pinch of salt. Gently fold in the marshmallows.
Pour and spread into the prepared pan. Chill until well set, several hours. Cut into squares.
This post for Rocky Road fudge was originally published in August 2018 and updated in September 2021.
rocky road desserts
There's more to Rocky Road than ice cream and fudge! Check out these other rocky road desserts.
- You've got to try my Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats. Yummy and easy!
- Rocky Road clusters look delicious.
- Oh my. No-bake Rocky Road cheesecake.
more fudge recipes
If you like this easy fudge recipe, check out more!
2-ingredient white chocolate fudge
- Pistachio fudge - February 2, 2023
- chocolate pecan fudge - January 26, 2023
- chocolate frosting fudge - January 24, 2022
The Partiologist
Of all the fudge, this would probably be my first choice, or at least until I see another one! LOL
Beth
Right?! This chocolate fudge is so yummy, but there are so many good fudge recipes to choose from here on this site! Thanks for visiting our page.
K Cramer
SO delicious!! This has to be my favorite fudge ever
N Mawditt
You really do make it easy. Great photos and recipe!
Millie Gerow
I made some of this fudge with peanuts and my family loved it.
Beth
We are so glad you enjoyed this easy fudge recipe. Peanuts are definitely a wonderful mix-in.
Tara
Can I use baking chocolate instead of chocolate chips?
Beth
Baking chocolate (unsweetened chocolate) is quite bitter but you will mix it with sweetened condensed milk so the fudge shouldn't be overly bitter. You can use it if you don't mind a very strong-tasting fudge.
Jill O'Toole
Can I use nut butter instead of sweetened condensed milk in this recipe? I would like to use almond butter with chopped almonds & marshmellows. Can this work?
Meaghan
Hi Jill, That's a pretty significant change. I've not tried it, and I'm not sure it would have the same consistency. But I found this recipe and it looks like it works:
https://www.darngoodveggies.com/2-ingredient-chocolate-almond-butter-fudge/#tasty-recipes-7870-jump-target
Vivian
I printed your recipe but 2 cups = 16 ounces, not 12 ounces, so I'm not sure how much to use. Therefore, I'm going to try another recipe.
Meaghan
Hi Vivian, If you live in the United States, which doesn't use the metric system, I can understand how you might make this (common) error. 1 cup = 8 FLUID ounces. So if you have, for example, a Pyrex measuring cup, it will say 1 cup at the same line as 8 ounces. However, 1 cup of dry ingredients will not all equal 8 ounces. 1 cup of chocolate chips is 6 ounces, because chocolate chips are lighter than liquid. This is why we provide both the weight and American amounts.
Lisa
This recipe was missing a few table spoons of butter to help flavor & texture if chocolate mixture .
Meaghan
Hi Lisa, We don't use butter in our fudge recipes. The use of sweetened condensed milk helps as a shortcut to eliminate the more laborious candy-making process.
Sheldon B Windley
how many pounds is this recipe?
Meaghan
Hi Sheldon, Are you asking about the weight of the fudge? I can provide metric measures for the ingredients, but I don't have the fudge on hand to weigh. It makes an 8-inch square batch, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
Vivian
I make this recipe for rocky road fudge every year at Christmas time. My adult son says it is a requirement on the dessert table. Lol. My question is can it be frozen? I want to make it in advance.
Meaghan
That's wonderful to hear Vivian! I've had great luck freezing fudge. Wrap very well in wax paper or parchment paper, then foil, and store in an air-tight container for up to three months in the freezer.
Victoria Blake
how much vanilla do I use
Meaghan
Hi Victoria, You use one teaspoon.