Rocky Road Ice Cream

Rocky Road ice cream has been around for nearly a century and it’s still a favorite. We have the guys behind Dryer’s and Edy’s ice cream to thank for developing this rich flavor combo. They invented it back in the late 1920s, and it quickly became one of the most popular ice cream flavors.

Our Rocky Road ice cream recipe is easy to make and, if you have a sweet tooth, features ingredients you may already have on hand. 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 create the chocolaty flavor in this ice cream.
• Sugar: Besides adding sweetness, sugar enhances the ice cream’s texture and helps keep it scoopable.
• Miniature marshmallows: Miniature 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 a little 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 a little flavor and depth to the chocolate ice cream base.

Directions

Step 1: Heat the liquids

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Pour the milk and the half-and-half into a large saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the liquid reaches 175°F.

Step 2: Add chocolate, sugar and salt

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Add the semisweet chocolate chunks, sugar and salt to the pan. Stir until the chocolate melts and the sugar completely dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat.

Step 3: Chill and add mix-ins

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Quickly transfer the liquid to a large bowl and place the bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir the bowl occasionally over the next two minutes, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover the surface of the mixture with plastic wrap, then place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Fill the ice cream maker

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Fill the ice cream maker 2/3 of the way with the chilled dessert, saving any leftover mixture in the refrigerator to make another batch once the first freezes. Freeze the ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Step 4: Transfer to freezable containers

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Transfer the ice cream into freezable storage containers, allowing space for the ice cream to expand. Freeze the containers for two to four hours or until the ice cream is firm.

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

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

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. An even easier option is to sprinkle the broken pretzel bits atop the ice cream before indulging. Salty plus sweet equals fantastic!
• Add hot caramel: Pour homemade salted caramel sauce atop a bowlful of 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 from ice, place a sheet of waxed paper, cut to the size of the container, over the ice cream before placing the lid on it.

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 creams contain chemical stabilizers to make them last longer, homemade versions are much purer, 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

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

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 yes, 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. In 1929, William Dreyer (of Dreyer’s Ice Cream fame) cut up some marshmallows with scissors and added marshmallow bits and walnuts to chocolate ice cream. At some point after the stock market crash that autumn, he swapped out the walnuts for almonds and dubbed the ice cream “Rocky Road,” alluding to the stock market.