Rocky Road Ice Cream

Rocky road ice cream has been around for nearly a century, and it’s still a favorite. Invented in the late 1920s by William Dreyer and Joseph Edy, this rich combo of chocolate ice cream, nuts and marshmallows quickly became one of the most popular ice cream flavors.

Our rocky road ice cream recipe is easy to make and features ingredients you may already have on hand (if you have a sweet tooth). Feel free to mix in another sprinkle of chocolate chips or nuts to make this as chocolaty or nutty as you’d like. Don’t worry, no judgment here!

Ingredients for Rocky Road Ice Cream

• Whole milk: Whole milk contains fat that creates a smooth, creamy ice cream base. It also helps prevent ice crystals from forming.
• Half-and-half cream: Half-and-half contributes to a silky smooth ice cream texture, without being quite as rich as heavy cream.
• Semisweet chocolate chunks: The chunky bits of semisweet chocolate melt to give this ice cream its chocolaty flavor.
• Sugar: In addition to adding sweetness, sugar enhances the ice cream’s texture and keeps it scoopable.
• Miniature marshmallows: Mini marshmallows add flavor and texture to this ice cream. It wouldn’t be rocky road without them!
• Miniature semisweet chocolate chips: These tiny bits add crunch and extra chocolaty goodness to nearly every spoonful.
• Chopped pecans: Chopped nuts are like the “rocks” in the rocky road ice cream. They also impart a nutty flavor that cuts through the chocolate.
• Vanilla extract: Though subtle, vanilla extract adds flavor and depth to the chocolate ice cream base.

Directions

Step 1: Heat the liquids

Pour the milk and the half-and-half into a large saucepan. Heat the mixture until it reaches 175°F.

Step 2: Add chocolate, sugar and salt

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Add the semisweet chocolate chunks, sugar and salt to the pan. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.

Step 3: Chill and add mix-ins

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Quickly transfer the liquid to a large bowl and place the bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir the bowl gently and occasionally for two minutes, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of the custard, then cover and refrigerate the bowl for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Fill the ice cream maker

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Fill the cylinder of your ice cream maker 2/3 of the way full, refrigerating the remaining mixture until you’re ready to make another batch.

Freeze the ice cream according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Step 4: Transfer to freezable containers

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Transfer the ice cream to freezer containers, leaving headspace for the ice cream to expand. Freeze the ice cream for two to four hours or until it’s firm. Repeat with the remaining ice cream mixture

Editor’s Tip: Pack the ice cream into portion-sized stackable containers for easy access and immediate eating.

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Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe Variations

• Use almonds instead:  If you prefer the flavor of almonds in your rocky road ice cream, replace the pecans with chopped almonds or any type of roasted nuts.
• Get a little salty: Add broken bits of chocolate-covered salted pretzels to the ice cream mixture before freezing it. An even easier option is to sprinkle the broken pretzel bits on the ice cream before indulging. Salty plus sweet equals fantastic!
• Add hot caramel: Pour homemade salted caramel sauce over rocky road ice cream for an incredibly decadent treat. Can you avoid the temptation of a second bowl?

How to Freeze Rocky Road Ice Cream

The key to banishing freezer burn is to pack your ice cream properly for storage. When scooping it into a freezer storage container, press the ice cream down firmly with the back of the spoon to reduce air bubbles, which contribute to ice crystals. To help keep the surface free of ice, cut a sheet of waxed paper to fit the container and place it over the ice cream before you cover the container with a lid

How long does rocky road ice cream last?

Homemade rocky road keeps in the freezer for up to one month if stored properly. While some store-bought ice cream contains chemical stabilizers to make them last longer, homemade versions do not, so it’s best to only make as much ice cream as you plan to eat within a few weeks.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe Tips

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What is in rocky road ice cream?

Rocky road ice cream starts with a chocolate ice cream base. Added nuts and marshmallows give it loads of texture and extra flavor. The miniature chocolate chips in this version add even more texture and chocolate flavor.

Do I need an ice cream maker?

An ice cream maker saves time in the freezer, but you can make this rocky road ice cream recipe without one. Simply pour the mixture into shallow freezer-worthy pans with lids; the shallower the level of ice cream and the smaller the container, the faster it freezes.

Why is it called rocky road?

Rocky road ice cream is one of the first varieties to include mix-ins for added texture and flavor. The story goes that in 1929, William Dreyer (of Dreyer’s Ice Cream fame) cut up some marshmallows with scissors and added them, along with walnuts, to chocolate ice cream. At some point after the stock market crash that autumn, he dubbed the ice cream “rocky road,” alluding to the difficult times. The walnuts were later replaced with almonds.