Rocky Road Brownies

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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 | 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!

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!

More Brownie Recipes to Try!

• Oreo Brownies
• Butterfinger Brownies
• Valentine’s Day Brownies
• Cookie Dough Brownies
• Brownies with Cookie Butter Frosting

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

Printable recipe below. Have a sweet day, friends!

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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 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 3 hrs 45 mins

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

• 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