Rocky Road Brownies

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

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

That is the theme for today’s post.

Namely, because I keep baking and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. And Halloween is OVER which means all of my favorite holidays are coming which means it’s totally a.o.k to start listening to Christmas music, decorate my house as such and bake with all the crazy goodies I like with no judgment from all of you. {Not that the judgments of others have stopped me in the past from making pumpkin recipes in July or Christmas cookies in February–>true story.}

But this time, these brownies aren’t so out of place because you can’t really pin them down or associate them with any given holiday.

WHY?

Because they belong at EVERY holiday. {After one bite, you will completely agree with me.}

Chocolate, cheesecake, nuts, marshmallows…all holiday neutral and all delicious.

The story behind me actually experimenting with rocky road brownies started long ago in a faraway land…

Just kidding.

Well, unless Florida is that far away land and long ago means 5 weeks.

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? {Um, is the pope catholic? Is the sky blue? Do I have a thigh gap?} Of course they didn’t give me the recipe.

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, these recipes are 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.

Printable recipe below. Have a sweet Monday, friends!

5 from 1 vote

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Rocky Road Brownies

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

Course Dessert

Servings 24 bars

Calories 379 kcal

Author Lauren Brennan/ Adapted from 1970's Pillsbury Bake-off Recipe

Ingredients

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

for the cheesecake layer-

• 6 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

for the rocky road layer-

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, make brownie mix according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan and smooth out.
3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!}
6. 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!

Recipe 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 Facts

Rocky Road Brownies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 379 Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 20g 31%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 42mg 14%

Sodium 147mg 6%

Potassium 43mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 46g 15%

Sugars 37g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 5.9%

Vitamin C 0.1%

Calcium 2.8%

Iron 6.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

other sweet recipes you might like:

Nutella Cheesecake Recipe

Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hot Pot Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Recipe

Banana Nut Bread Recipe