Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge Cookies

These Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge Cookies are the ultimate indulgence, packed with gooey marshmallows, crunchy nuts, and rich chocolate chunks in a soft, fudgy cookie. Inspired by the classic rocky road dessert, these cookies deliver the perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and melty textures. Whether for a party, holiday, or just a chocolate craving, these cookies will be a crowd favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ultra-Chocolatey – Made with cocoa powder and chocolate chunks for a double chocolate boost.
  • Chewy and Fudgy – Soft, rich cookies with a brownie-like texture.
  • Classic Rocky Road Flavors – Gooey marshmallows, crunchy nuts, and melted chocolate.
  • Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holiday cookie platters, bake sales, or a cozy treat at home.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cookies:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Mix-Ins:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks
  • Chopped almonds or walnuts

Optional Toppings:

  • Extra chocolate drizzle
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Toasted coconut

Directions

Prepare the Cookie Dough:

  1. Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars – In a bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla – Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients – Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined.
  6. Fold in Chocolate and Nuts – Stir in chocolate chunks and chopped nuts.

Shape and Bake:

  1. Scoop Dough – Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
  2. Bake – Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven.
  3. Add Marshmallows – Quickly press mini marshmallows onto each cookie.
  4. Finish Baking – Return to the oven for 2-3 more minutes until marshmallows are slightly melted.
  5. Cool & Set – Let cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serve & Enjoy:

  1. Optional Drizzle – Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt or toasted coconut for extra flavor.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 18-24 cookies
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes

Variations

  • Peanut Butter Rocky Road Cookies – Swap almonds for peanuts and add peanut butter chips.
  • Triple Chocolate Version – Use milk, dark, and white chocolate chunks.
  • Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
  • Dairy-Free Version – Use dairy-free butter and chocolate.
  • Extra Crunchy – Add crushed graham crackers for a s’mores-like twist.

Storage/Reheating

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to a week.
  • Freezing: Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.
  • Reheating: Microwave for 10 seconds for a warm, gooey texture.

FAQs

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?

Yes! Just cut them into smaller pieces before adding them to the cookies.

Why did my marshmallows disappear in the oven?

Marshmallows can melt too much if added too early. Press them onto the cookies halfway through baking for the best texture.

Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Absolutely! Just omit the nuts or replace them with extra chocolate chunks.

Do I have to chill the dough?

No, but chilling for 30 minutes can enhance the flavor and prevent excessive spreading.

How do I get the perfect fudgy texture?

Don’t overbake! Remove cookies when they look slightly underdone; they will continue to set as they cool.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! Bake the cookies in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Use room-temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the dough also helps.

Can I add caramel to these cookies?

Yes! Drizzle caramel over the baked cookies or add caramel bits to the dough.

What’s the best way to store leftover dough?

Freeze cookie dough balls in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen.

Can I make these cookies smaller or larger?

Yes! Adjust the baking time—smaller cookies will need less time, while larger cookies may need 1-2 minutes more.

Conclusion

These Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge Cookies are the ultimate sweet treat, packed with melty chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy nuts. Whether you’re making them for a party, a holiday, or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to impress. Try them today for a rich, fudgy, and totally irresistible dessert!

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Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge Cookies

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These Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge Cookies are thick, fudgy, and packed with chocolate flavor, just like classic rocky road ice cream! They have gooey marshmallow pockets, crunchy nuts, and extra chocolate chips, making them the perfect treat for chocolate lovers.

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 18 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)

 

  • ½ cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Cream Butter & Sugars: In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
  4. Add Egg & Vanilla: Stir in the egg and vanilla extract.
  5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
  6. Fold in Mix-Ins: Stir in the chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows (reserve a few marshmallows for topping).
  7. Scoop & Bake: Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently press a few extra marshmallows on top of each cookie.
  8. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set but the center is soft. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  9. Serve & Enjoy! These cookies taste amazing warm when the marshmallows are still gooey.

 


Notes

  • For extra richness, use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
  • Want a gooier center? Slightly underbake the cookies and let them finish setting as they cool.

 

  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

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