Irresistible Rocky Road Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats Everyone Will Love.

These bakery-style cookies bring a melt-in-your-mouth combo of rich chocolate with soft centers and a light crunchy edge. Made with cold butter, a mix of cake and all-purpose flours, the dough stays thick and tender while baking. Each bite is loaded with gooey marshmallows, smooth chocolate, and buttery cashews. Chill the dough for two or more hours and use high-quality chocolate chips. They're best enjoyed warm, right from the oven, slightly underbaked to keep their soft and gooey magic.
Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:25:16 GMT
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Rocky Road Bakery-Style Cookies | thefamilycooks.com

Discover a decadent twist on classic cookies with these homestyle Rocky Road treats. Made with premium dark chocolate, gooey mini marshmallows, and toasted cashews, each generously-sized cookie delivers rich flavor and delightful textural contrast - crispy edges giving way to soft, chewy centers.

The secret to these exceptional cookies lies in the carefully tested ingredient ratios and mixing methods. After extensive recipe development, the combination of two specific flours emerged as the key to achieving that coveted tender-chewy texture that makes these cookies truly memorable.

Key Ingredients Overview

  • Unsalted Butter: Use directly from refrigerator, cut into small cubes
  • Dutch Process Cocoa: Provides smooth, rich chocolate flavor
  • Cake Flour: Creates delicate, tender crumb
  • Mini Marshmallows: Small size ensures proper melting
  • Raw Cashews: Toast before use for maximum flavor

Preparation Method

Stage 1: Butter Preparation
Begin with cold butter for proper creaming. Beat thoroughly until light and airy, noting color change. Clean bowl edges regularly.
Stage 2: Dry Mixture
Sift cocoa thoroughly before mixing. Incorporate with gentle folding motions. Mix only until combined. Maintain aeration throughout.
Stage 3: Adding Mix-ins
Set aside garnish portions. Fold additions carefully into dough. Maintain cold temperature. Handle marshmallows gently.
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Pin it
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies | thefamilycooks.com

The inspiration for these cookies comes from classic campfire rocky road treats. They capture those nostalgic flavors while elevating them to a sophisticated dessert perfect for special occasions.

Mastering temperature control proved crucial in developing this recipe. The interplay between cold ingredients and precise baking heat creates the distinctive texture that makes these cookies exceptional.

These cookies have become a cherished part of weekend baking traditions. Nothing brings family together quite like the inviting aroma of fresh chocolate cookies wafting from the kitchen.

Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Pin it
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies | thefamilycooks.com

Each batch of these cookies offers a perfect balance of decadent flavors and varying textures. Their generous size makes them ideal for gifting, though their irresistible appeal often makes sharing optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is cold butter important?
It keeps the dough sturdy so the cookies spread less and stay thick.
→ Is cake flour necessary?
It’s recommended for a tender texture, but you can swap it with regular flour if needed.
→ Why bake at such a high heat?
The 410°F temperature crisps the outside while leaving the center soft and gooey.
→ Can these be made smaller?
Definitely! Just cut the baking time and keep an eye on the marshmallows so they don’t over-melt.
→ How should the cookies be stored?
Keep them in a sealed container for up to 3 days, but they’re yummiest the day they’re made.

Rocky Road Chocolate Treats

Fudgy chocolate cookies stuffed with gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and crunchy cashews—just like the iconic NYC bakery style.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup of butter straight from the fridge, cut into cubes
02 1 cup packed soft brown sugar
03 Half a cup of granulated sugar
04 Two large eggs
05 1 tsp of vanilla flavoring

→ Dry Ingredients

06 1 and a half cups of regular all-purpose flour
07 1 cup of soft cake flour
08 Half a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
09 One teaspoon of cornflour
10 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
11 Half a teaspoon of salt

→ Mix-ins

12 1 and 3/4 cups of chocolate chips, semi-sweet variety
13 Two cups of mini marshmallows
14 3/4 cup of roughly chopped cashews

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 410°F. Mix the butter and sugars together for about 4 minutes till everything is fluffy.

Step 02

Toss in the eggs and vanilla, then run the mixer for one minute.

Step 03

Carefully stir in the dry ingredients. After that, mix in your chocolate chips, marshmallows, and cashews.

Step 04

Roll the dough into balls weighing around 5-6 oz each. If you’d like, press extra chips and marshmallows onto the tops.

Step 05

Pop them in the oven for about 9 to 11 minutes. Push any melted marshmallows on the edges back toward the middle and let the cookies cool for 15 minutes before digging in.

Notes

  1. You can switch out cake flour for regular all-purpose flour if needed
  2. For the best results, use a baking pan that’s light in color

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer from KitchenAid or similar
  • Baking tray
  • Non-stick parchment paper
  • Cookie dough scoop
  • Rubber spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Tree nuts (cashews)
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Wheat