Rocky Road Brownies

5 from 2 votes

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Rocky Road Brownies are layers of goodness. Brownie, cheesecake, nuts, chocolate chips, and marshmallows all topped with a chocolate glaze.

Rocky Road Brownies on parchment paper. white text overlays the image in the bottom left corner and it reads "rocky road brownies"

Rocky Road Brownies | A Copycat Recipe (sorta)

Once upon a time, I went on a Caribbean cruise. The morning before I boarded the ship, I went out to eat and the restaurant had rocky road brownies. So obviously, I ordered one and fell in love with it. It was divine and glorious. So divine that I contacted the restaurant later that week asking for the recipe.

Did they give it to me? Of course, they didn’t. But that’s because I think they were using a recipe from the Pillsbury bake-off circa 1972! It’s the ONLY recipe I’ve found through my very thorough Pinterest browsing research to taste identical to the one I ate in Florida.

I ended up switching a few things within the Pillsbury recipe based on what I had at my house, but generally, it’s spot-on delicious.

Lots of yummy, sweet layers in this decadent dessert bar. Totally ridiculous and out of control, but perfect for any holiday you feel like celebrating.

Main Ingredients Needed

Chocolate, cheesecake, nuts, marshmallows… this is what Rocky Road Brownies are made of! Now to get all these layers to work together, this is what you’ll need:

For the Brownie Layer

  • Brownie Mix – either use a great quality brownie mix or make homemade brownies!
  • Eggs, Water + Oil – if you are making boxed brownies, you are going to need these three other ingredients.

For the Cheesecake Layer

  • Cream Cheese + Butter – both are used for creamy smooth texture. Cream cheese adds that signature tang too.
  • Egg + Flour – both are used for structure.
  • Sugar – to sweeten.
  • Vanilla – to flavor slightly.

For the Rocky Road Layer

  • Chocolate Chips – these melt slightly when baked.
  • Pecans – crunchy nutty goodness.
  • Mini Marshmallows – these get a little gooey when baked but solidify as the brownies cool. YUM!

For the Chocolate Glaze Layer

  • Butter – for flavor and to help everything bind together.
  • Milk – this creates a thinner consistency.
  • Chocolate – unsweetened or bittersweet works best since everything else is already so sugary.
  • Powdered Sugar – this sweetens it as well as solidifies it when set.
  • Cream Cheese – this thickens it while also adding creaminess and some tang.
  • Vanilla – for flavor.

And if you REALLY love that rocky road flavor, check out my No-Churn Rocky Road Ice Cream recipe!

Rocky Road Brownies on parchment paper

How to Make Rocky Road Brownies

I know this recipe looks like a lot, but if you take it step-by-step you should be just fine! For more details on how to make Rocky Road Brownies, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Prep

Preheat oven. Line 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, make brownie mix according to package directions. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth out.

Cheesecake Batter

In another bowl, whip all ingredients together for the cheesecake layer until completely smooth. Dollop across the top of the brownie batter and spread over top.

Rocky Road Layer + Baking

Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Bake until bars are set and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Top with mini marshmallows and return to oven for 3 minutes.

Chocolate Glaze

In a small saucepan, heat butter, milk, chocolate, and cream cheese together until completely melted. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Drizzle over the entire pan, being sure to cover all the marshmallows. {It’s ok if you miss a few, but there should be plenty of glaze!}

Refrigerate + Serve

Refrigerate until glaze is set before slicing. I find it best to refrigerate for at least 4 hours for easier cutting. Enjoy!

break down of what is in Rocky Road Brownies, white text overlays the brownies with words reading " chocolate glaze, marshmallows, nuts & chocolate chips, cheesecake and brownie

More Brownie Recipes to Try!

Rocky Road Brownies… Can’t stop, won’t stop.

Printable recipe below. Have a sweet day, friends!

Rocky Road Brownies
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5 from 2 votes

Rocky Road Brownies

Rocky Road Brownies are layers of goodness. Brownie, cheesecake, nuts, chocolate chips, and marshmallows all topped with a chocolate glaze.
servings 24 bars
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 18.9 oz. boxed brownie mix* 1 box
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2/3 cup oil
  • 2 eggs

for the cheesecake layer-

for the rocky road layer-

for the chocolate glaze-

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 oz. cream cheese
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, make brownie mix according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan and smooth out.
  • In another bowl, whip all ingredients together for cheesecake layer until completely smooth, about 45 seconds. Dollop across the top of the brownie batter and spread over top.
  • Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until bars are set and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Top with mini marshmallows and return to oven for 3 minutes.
  • In a small saucepan, heat butter, milk, chocolate, and cream cheese together until completely melted. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Drizzle over the entire pan, being sure to cover all the marshmallows. {It’s ok if you miss a few, but there should be plenty of glaze!}
  • Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until glaze is set before slicing. I find it best to refrigerate at least 4 hours for easier cutting. Enjoy!

Notes

*I used Betty Crocker Delights Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix. Feel free to use any kind of brownie mix you have. OR just make a homemade version!

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 43mg | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: rocky road brownies

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12 Responses
  1. Karen Heasley

    5 stars
    These are hands down my new favorite brownie! We put walnuts only on half of the brownies (for the adults) and left the other half without nuts for the kids. Everyone loved them.

    I preferred the brownies with the nuts—that extra crunch just took the brownies over the top, and cut the sweetness just enough.

    Seriously. So. Dang. Good.

    Thanks, Lauren!

  2. The Great Big List of Brownies and Bars • Sarahs Bake Studio

    […] Bars from Lauren’s Latest Red Velvet Oreo Brownies from Sally’s Baking Addiction Rocky Road Brownies from Lauren’s […]

  3. Diane

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for posting this. I made these every Christmas for more than 20 years and this year one of my sons asked for the recipe. I had the bake off booklet and now I’m afraid gave it away in the process of sorting them out. As soon as I saw your picture, I knew it was the right one and was able to find it on the Pillsbury site. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as I have.

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