Rocky Road Fudge – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Creamy chocolate fudge filled with peanuts and marshmallows makes a chewy, crunchy, salty, sweet Rocky Road Fudge that all ages will enjoy.

Rocky Road ice cream has been one of my favorite ice cream flavors ever since I was a child and this Rocky Road Fudge has everything I love about the classic ice cream flavor mixed into a rich chocolate fudge.

Rocky Road brownies, Rocky Road chocolate bark, Rocky Road pretty much anything is sure to be a hit with my family. What’s not to love about a handful of chocolate filled with peanuts and marshmallows?

Rocky Road Fudge

When I was playing with ideas for new fudge recipes this holiday season, I knew I needed to make a rocky road fudge. I’ve put peanuts in fudge before, and I’ve put marshmallows in fudge, but I had yet to try both together.

I’m happy to report that the finished Rocky Road Fudge was just as good as I imagined it would be, if not better. It was a hit with my kids and given the opportunity we could have polished off the whole batch in no time at all.

5 Minute Fudge

I am so completely hooked on five-minute fudge recipes. Unlike traditional old-fashioned fudge recipes, no candy thermometers or other special equipment is required.

You don’t even need a stove to make this fudge. Everything melts in the microwave and then sets up in the fridge in just a few hours.

My 5 minute fudge obsession started with this simple Chocolate Pecan Fudge, a recipe I’ve used as the base for tons of chocolate fudge recipes since, including this one.

Rocky Road Fudge is the latest incarnation of 5 minute fudge I’m sharing this year. Don’t miss the others like White Chocolate Pretzel Fudge, bite size pieces of salty-sweet heaven. Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge, Chocolate Covered Oreo Fudge, and Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge are even more recipes you’re sure to enjoy.

I also plan to give this Eggnog Fudge and this Maple Nut Fudge a whirl this upcoming holiday season.

Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl and this spatula to make this recipe.

Easy Rocky Road Fudge

You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:

• semi-sweet chocolate chips
• sweetened condensed milk
• butter
• vanilla extract
• miniature marshmallows
• salted peanuts

Peanuts are the traditional nut of choice for rocky road inspired desserts but just about any other nut would be tasty as well.

Almonds, walnuts, or pecans come to mind as excellent substitutes if you don’t have peanuts, are cooking for someone with a peanut specific allergy, or just want something different.

PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.

The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.

Even if you’ve had success subbing with something else in other recipes, I promise that you NEED to use sweetened condensed milk for this fudge recipe!

Rocky Road Fudge Recipe

Rocky Road Fudge starts by combining semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and butter in a glass bowl. After microwaving for 90 seconds, stir everything together until well combined and smooth.

Add vanilla extract, peanuts and miniature marshmallows to the chocolate, then pour the fudge into a pan lined with parchment paper. Chill until firm, slice and serve! It’s hard to think of homemade fudge that’s any easier.

I like to slice this fudge into 1 inch squares. It’s so rich that having the option to have just a bite at a time is wonderful, but feel free to slice it into whatever size squares or rectangles you like.

The recipe can also be halved to make a smaller amount of fudge, just pour the warm fudge into a loaf pan to chill to  get the right consistency

This rich and nutty fudge pairs perfectly well with a cold glass of milk for an after school treat and makes a satisfying pick-me-up with a cup of coffee, too.

If you don’t have a microwave or prefer not to use one, it’s easy to make this recipe on the stovetop as well. Simply use a double boiler to melt the butter, chocolate and milk together, stirring as you go.

Whether you make fudge in the microwave or on the stovetop, it’s a treat that’ll keep everyone coming back for just one more taste.

How to Store Fudge

These fudge recipes will store very nicely in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to two months. I love the convenience of making a few different varieties of fudge long in advance and having it ready to share with friends and family for parties or casual get-togethers.

Store the sliced fudge in an airtight container, separating the layers with wax paper or parchment. Store the different flavors in separate containers to maintain the best taste.

It’s also convenient to have a fridge or freezer stocked with fudge when you need a last-minute gift. Put a couple of dozen squares of fudge in a gift box wrapped with ribbon and you have an instant homemade gift that anyone would be excited to receive.

Everyone likes fudge and Rocky Road Fudge is sure to become a new favorite.

originally published 11/19/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/11/23