Rocky Road Brownies

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These Rocky Road Brownies are a fantastic texture filled brownie with layers of fudgy brownie, marshmallow and almond filled ganache. There is crunch, and gooey and fudgy and sticky all in one gorgeous brownie bite! The layers are really easy to assemble. Just let set up in the refrigerator before slicing for those neat slices of goodness. For nut allergies, feel free to sub out the nuts for some sort of seeds or dried fruit!

This recipe starts with my classic brownie base, which gets a lovely, gooey shake up in the form of sticky marshmallows and the almond filled ganache. The texture contrasts make for a super delicious bite, either as a snack or a full blown dessert.

For these brownies, we rely heavily on the melted butter and light brown sugar to give the fudgy texture and super shiny topping. To make the shiny top on a brownie, there are arguments as to whether it’s the egg, or the molten sugar in the butter, so let’s make sure to do both. This recipe cuts neatly into 9 pieces, but could be sliced smaller. Plus, the recipe is easily doubled. They keep well for a few days. That said, they don’t last long if you’ve got lots of happy hungry mouths in the house!

WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING THE BEST BROWNIES, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND:

1. Quality Ingredients: Always use high-quality ingredients in your brownie recipe. This includes using good quality chocolate, cocoa powder, and fresh eggs. It will make a noticeable difference in the taste and texture of the brownies.
2. Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, be gentle and avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can lead to a denser and tougher texture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
3. Proper Pan Size: Use the recommended pan size mentioned in the recipe. Using a smaller or larger pan can affect the baking time and the texture of the brownies. For fudgy and moist brownies, an 8×8-inch square baking pan is usually recommended.
4. Do Not Overbake: Keep a close eye on the brownies while they are baking and avoid overbaking them. A slightly underbaked brownie will be fudgy and moist, while an overbaked one can turn out dry. Insert a toothpick into the center – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done.
5. Let Them Cool: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. This helps them to set and ensures that they hold their shape. It also allows the flavors to develop fully.
6. Experiment with Additions: Feel free to get creative with your brownie recipe by changing up the chocolate chips/chocolate chunks, or by adding nuts or fruit. Just make sure not to overload the batter, as it may affect the texture.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to baking brownies. Don’t be afraid to make tweaks and adjustments to the recipe to suit your preferences. You can totally shift the frosting quantity for more or less, just do what suits you! 

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED 

There are no specialist ingredients or equipment required for this bake. I can find everything I need at my local supermarket or grocery store. Also, I use a standard 8 inch square tin for almost all of my traybake recipes for ease. If you do want to convert to 9 inch, you’ll need to play with the quantities a little or they will be too thin. To line a square baking tin, cut two pieces of baking paper that are just narrower than the width of the tin (less than 8 inches wide). Then place one on top of the other in opposite directions, so that all four edges of the tin are covered. This will make removing the bake so much easier! 

• Dark/Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Melted
• Unsalted Butter
• Light Brown Soft Sugar
• Granulated Sugar
• Large Free Range Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• All Purpose (Plain) Flour
• Cocoa Powder
• Mini Marshmallows
• Heavy Cream
• Sliced/Slivered Almonds

TOP TIPS FOR THE BEST Rocky Road Brownies

• Melted Butter: As mentioned above, this contributes to the shiny top!
• Melted Chocolate: Try to use a higher quality dark chocolate where possible, as this really does contribute to that final flavour.
• Light Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: It is the combination of both sugars that creates the fudgy texture and rich flavour.
• Cocoa Powder: Again, where possible try to use a higher quality make. This contributes so much to the flavour and I find some cheap ones really dull the richness! 
• Marshmallows: Add the marshmallows when the brownies are almost finished baking. The top of the brownie should just be starting to look firm, but the brownie itself should still have a bit of a ‘wobble’. Tip the marshmallows over, making sure there is an even layer. Return to the oven for the final part of the bake. This makes the marshmallows really stick to the brownie so you can slice into perfect squares.
• Ganache: The ganache is so much easier to make than you might think. It just involves heating up cream and pouring it over chocolate/chocolate chips. Leave for 2 minutes before whisking to form a super thick glossy glaze. Stir in some sliced or slivered almonds for that real rocky road effect. Of course, feel free to omit or sub for dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.

For my Rocky Road Brownies, I use a basic 8′ square pan (I like this one). I also recommend a good stand mixer or high speed mixer (like this one) to make the brownie mixture. If you want more wild brownie recipe ideas, check out my Caramel Pretzel Brownies. For videos and baking inspiration, head on over to my Instagram. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to drop it a star rating, leave a review or share a photo on your socials! 

STORAGE FOR MY Rocky Road Brownies

Because these brownies don’t use a fresh frosting, place in an airtight container and keep in a cool place like your cupboard or pantry. They will keep for up to 3 days this way. A cake tin is a great option if you have one. You can store these in the refrigerator for a firmer slice. The ganache will look less shiny if cooled but will firm up much faster and will hold together better for that perfect square cut.

Alternatively, you can freeze the brownies. Completely wrap as tight as you can using cling film/Saran wrap. If you have an airtight container too, place it in there before freezing. Let thaw in the fridge before serving. I like to give them a quick 10-15 second blast in the microwave before eating for that extra gooeyness.