Description
Christmas Rocky Road is a festive, no-bake dessert featuring a rich blend of melted semi-sweet chocolate, almond butter, roasted almonds, dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, and fresh pomegranate seeds, spiced with a hint of vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for holiday celebrations, combining sweet, tart, and nutty flavors in each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Rocky Road Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond butter
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
- ⅓ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- ½ large pomegranate, seeds removed
Spices and Flavorings
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1/16 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/16 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/16 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep + Melt: Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper. If making a double batch, use a 9x9 or 8x8 inch square pan. In a medium pot over low heat, melt together the semi-sweet chocolate chips, almond butter, butter, and all the spices and flavorings. Stir frequently to prevent the mixture from burning.
- Mix-ins: Stir in the roasted almonds and dried cranberries, then remove the pot from heat. Allow the mixture to cool for 3-5 minutes to prevent the marshmallows from melting. Add the mini marshmallows and gently stir to coat them evenly.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Transfer the mixture into the lined loaf pan, spreading it evenly and gently pressing into the corners with a spatula. Sprinkle generously with fresh pomegranate seeds on top. Refrigerate the dessert until firm, approximately 2 hours.
Notes
- 1/16 teaspoon is half of a ⅛ teaspoon measure; use an equal pinch of each holiday spice for balanced flavor.
- Store leftover Christmas Rocky Road in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or at a cool room temperature for 2-3 days to preserve freshness. The candy lasts longer but pomegranate seeds may spoil after these durations.
- To make it vegan, substitute butter with vegan butter or coconut oil and use vegan marshmallows like Dandies, which are also gluten-free.
- For a gluten-free version, use marshmallows from gluten-free brands like Jet Puffed or Campfire, which are safe for people with Celiac disease.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
