Ultimate Rocky Road Cookie Bars
These Rocky Road Cookie Bars are rich and filled with nuts, coconut, chocolate and of course mini marshmallows. So delicious they will become everyone’s favourite Holiday cookie recipe.
Rocky Road Cookie Bars
I can honestly say that there isn’t anything that I like more than chocolate. Ok, pasta comes very close!
Sometimes I even think I would love to do a whole dinner with everything chocolate. Everything Chocolate Desserts that is. And these Rocky Road Nut Bars would make a perfect appetizer!
Unfortunately that is not going to happen, but I can dream and I can make them for the Holidays, just like my Mom did.
We were having friends over for dinner and I needed a good, dessert, because these are dessert-loving-people. I wanted something different and not too sweet. Since i use dark chocolate these proved to be perfect!
I know there are a lot of bar recipes out there, but these Rocky Road and Coconut Jam Squares are my absolute two favourites. And I’m not even a big coconut lover!
How to make Rocky Road Bars
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in a medium bowl and mix until smooth. Melt either in the microwave or bain-marie.
- Then add the crumbs (either graham cracker or I prefer digestive cookies), finely ground nuts and the coconut, mix well.
- Add to the prepared cake pan and press the crumbs down evenly in the pan to form the base.
- On top of the base sprinkle first with the , marshmallows, then the coconut, nuts and then the chocolate chips.
- Lastly drizzle the top with the sweetened condensed milk.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the marshmallows have melted into a light golden colour.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing.
What is bain-marie?
For those of us, me included without a microwave, the best way to melt chocolate, (or a chocolate and butter combination) is to place it in a bowl and place the bowl over a small pot with water (make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl).
Then the water is heated and melts the chocolate and butter, all you have to do is stir the ingredients until smooth.
I have been melting chocolate this way forever, no need for any fancy equipment.
Just make sure no water touches your melted chocolate or it will seize and unfortunately you will have to start over.
How to store the cookies
These cookies should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge, they will last up to 5-6 days. They can also be frozen.
Place the cookies in a freezer safe container, separated by parchment paper. Stored properly they will keep for one month in the freezer.
How to cut even cookies without a mess
Let the cookies cool in the pan to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least an hour. Then cut even slices with a very sharp knife.
Rocky Road Nut Bars, besides having a chocolate, cookie crumb base and a layer of mini marshmallows, coconut, chopped nuts and of course chocolate chips, makes these the ultimate chocolate lovers dream!
And if you really want to go all out, a little chocolate drizzle on the cooled bars doesn’t hurt either.
The first time I made these, my eldest looked at me and said,” Ma, that is a lot of chocolate”, my reply “I know just the way I like it”! Enjoy!
Rocky Road Bar Cookies
Equipment
- an 8×8 inch (20 x 20 cm) square cake pan
Ingredients
FOR THE BASE
- 3 ounces semi sweet (dark – good quality) chocolate (90 grams)
- 1/2 cup butter (112 grams)
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive cookie crumbs) (375 grams)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts* (63 grams)
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut (47 grams)
FOR THE TOPPING
- 1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips (90 grams)
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (if you can't find mini, then just cut the large ones into small pieces) (75 grams)
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut (47 grams)
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts* (60 grams)
- 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (200 grams)
*You can use walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or even almonds. I used walnuts.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees (180 degrees celsius). Line an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20cm) square pan with parchment paper.
FOR THE BASE
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pot of boiling water (or microwave), stirring occasionally until melted. Once it is melted, add the crumbs, nuts and coconut mix well.
- Add to the prepared cake pan and press the crumbs down evenly in the pan to form the base. If you find the crumb base too crumbly add a bit more melted butter (2 -3 tablespoons more).
FOR THE FILLING
- On top of the base sprinkle first the, marshmallows, then the coconut, nuts and chocolate chips, lastly drizzle with the sweetened condensed milk, as evenly as possible.
- Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the marshmallows start to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cool. Refrigerate for about an hour to make cutting easier. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from September 21, 2014
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It was good but the bottom crust layer was way to crumbly. It did not hold much. Next time I will add more butter.
Hi Charles, glad you liked it and thanks for letting me know. Sure adding more butter will definitely help. Take care!
I made this but the only problem was the bottom crumbs would not hold together with the top. All I got was crumbs. Very disappointed. Maybe more butter?
Hi Diann, yes if your base is too crumbly add either more butter or melted chocolate. 🙂
Do you think it would affect the taste much if I left out the condensed milk?
Hi Tracey yes it wouldn’t just affect the taste but also the texture, so you shouldn’t leave it out.
This recipe sounds great. One of my co-workers is allergic to coconut, and it is not one of my favorite flavors either. Do you have recommendations for a substitute?
Hi Hazel, for a substitute you could add finely chopped brazil nuts or macadamia nuts which are close in flavour to coconut. Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes.
I did it. It is incredible. Thanks alot
Oooh these look so good! And mom’s recipes are always the best aren’t they?! Thank you so much for sharing at Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays. I’m going to pin this to the Tasty Tuesdays Board. We would love for you to link up again with us this week!
This looks so good! I’m drooling right now. Pinned. We had so much fun partying with you at our last party. We hope to see you tonight’s party at 7 pm. We love to see what you have been working on! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Hi Kimberly, thank you, I will be back this week. Have a great week.
Looks incredible! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
I am seriously impressed by these rocky road bars. They look incredibly chocolatey and delicious.. craving one right now, Pinned!
Hi Thalia, thanks, you should give them a try, they are so easy and delicious.