When I was a teenager, my mom and I would tape so many different TV shows that we’d end up watching one every night. Our dessert of choice while watching was Rocky Road ice cream – which I haven’t had since going away for college. Those moments I got to spend with my mom are such a happy memory, so when I started thinking about what I could pair with marshmallow for a flavored Rice Krispie Treat, Rocky Road was something that really stood out to me. Rice Krispie Treats are such a fun, easy dessert – and these Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats are made just a little more special with the addition of chocolate and almond.
Tips for the Best Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats
Making the Bars
First, lightly grease a 9X13 inch pan and set aside for later. To make the base of these bars, start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the salt and mini marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows soften and melt. Turn off the heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Finally, add the puffed rice cereal and stir until the marshmallow is evenly coating the cereal. After the base of these bars is complete, add the mix-ins and toppings for a truly delicious dessert.
Mix-Ins and Toppings
The mix-ins and toppings are what transform these bars from Rice Krispie Treats to Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats. I first like to set aside a small amount of marshmallows and chopped almonds to sprinkle on the top of the bars. Next, mix the rest of the marshmallows into the rice cereal mixture. This allows them to melt slightly, but not fully – so there are deliciously melty marshmallow bites in the final product. Next, stir in the chopped almonds. I used roasted and salted almonds for more flavor, but use whatever you have on hand. Finally, gently stir in ¼ cup of chocolate chips. I add these last and only stir a few times to prevent them from completely melting into the bars.
Press the rice cereal mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Before adding toppings, melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and then microwave for another 30 seconds. Drizzle half of the melted chocolate on top of the bars. Next, sprinkle on the reserved marshmallow and almonds before topping with the remaining melted chocolate. While it might be tempting to eat them immediately, let the bars cool completely so that the marshmallow and chocolate can set. Enjoy!
Serving and Storage
Once cool, carefully slice the bars with a knife. The Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats store well in a covered container at room temperature for 4-5 days. If you need to store them for longer, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap before freezing. To defrost frozen bars, unwrap and let sit at room temperature until fully thawed. These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature.
My Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats are chewy, sweet, and packed full of chocolate and nuts. They’re an easy, no-bake dessert that can easily be made ahead of time. Food memories are so powerful and eating these bars has unlocked some happy ones for me. Maybe you can create your own food memories with this recipe, too!
Tap on the photos below to check out some other favorite Sugar Dusted Sweets bar recipes!
Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
Rice Krispy Bars
- 6 cups (200 g) puffed rice cereal
- 4 cups (200 g) mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter
- ½ tsp (2 g) salt
- ½ tsp (2 g) vanilla extract
Mix-Ins and Toppings
- 1 + ¼ cup (250 g) chocolate chips separated
- 1 cup (50 g) mini marshmallows
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped almonds
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the salt and 4 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows melt.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
- Pour in the rice cereal and stir until it is evenly coated with marshmallow.
- Reserve a small amount of the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows to top the bars. Mix the rest into the rice cereal mixture.
- Mix in the chopped almonds, reserving a small amount for topping the bars.
- Stir in ¼ cup of chocolate chips and stir until just mixed in. Try not to overmix the chocolate chips so they do not melt fully.
- Press the Rice Krispie Treats into the prepared pan, making sure to pack the mixture down well.
- Melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Once melted, drizzle half of the chocolate on top of the bars. Sprinkle on the reserved marshmallow and almonds and finish with the remaining melted chocolate.
- Allow to cool fully to set the marshmallow and chocolate. Slice carefully and serve.
I brought these in to work to share with coworkers, they were some of the best treats we’ve ever had in our break room!
Thanks for making them! I’m glad you enjoyed them.