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These Rocky Road Brownies bring a boxed brownie mix to a whole new level! All the flavors and textures of rocky road ice cream transformed into the most mouth-watering morsel – perfect for potlucks, bake sales, and after school snacks!

Two rocky road brownies stacked up on a wooden board with a glass of milk in the background.

I’ve always liked boxed brownie mix. As a food scientist and avid baker, I’m not sure that’s something I should admit, but I do! And though I really like them super simple with a dusting of powdered sugar, sometimes it’s fun to add a little more texture and layer ’em up!!

What is “Rocky Road?”

“Rocky Road” is a classic ice cream flavor that is said to have originated during the Great Depression (1929) by William Dreyer. It has a chocolate ice cream base with nuts and marshmallows mixed in.

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This Rocky Road Brownies recipe reflects those same flavors with a brownie base, a layer of gooey marshmallows and a crunchy peanut and cereal topping!

Ingredients Needed

Brownie Mix – Be sure to use a box mix that can be baked in a 9×13-inch baking pan (some smaller mixes go in a square baking pan)
Vegetable Oil, Eggs and Water – Or whatever ingredients are called for on the brownie box you’re using.
Marshmallows – I prefer using miniature marshmallows, but if you only have large marshmallows, simply quarter them before using.
Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are my favorites to use as they’re not overly sweet like milk chocolate chips!
Corn Syrup – Light or dark corn syrup will work.
Butter – Salted or unsalted butter is great.
Crispy Rice Cereal – aka Rice Krispies. You can use regular or the “cocoa Krispies.”
Peanuts – Salted cocktail peanuts are what I use. You can use other types of nuts if you prefer!

How to Make Rocky Road Brownies

Start by mixing up your favorite box of fudgy brownies. Pour the brownie batter into a prepared pan and bake as instructed on the box.

Brownie Mix stirred together in a mixing bowl.

Brownie batter spread into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

When the brownies come out of the oven, immediately sprinkle them with marshmallows. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until puffy and barely beginning to turn a golden brown.

Miniature marshmallows sprinkled on top of a pan of brownies.

Puffy marshmallows on top of a pan of brownies.

Next you’ll mix up the delicious crispy, crunchy chocolate mixture!

Melt the chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup in a large bowl in the microwave. Once smooth, stir in the cereal and peanuts.

A mixture of chocolate, peanuts and cereal stirred up in a large bowl.

Once the cereal and nuts are coated in chocolate, you’ll spoon the mixture on top of the brownies and spread to an even layer.

Let them cool before cutting into squares with a sharp knife – this is the hardest part! 😉

Two rocky road brownies stacked on each other with a glass of milk in the background.

Variations of this Rocky Road Brownie Recipe

Use your favorite nuts! Almonds, walnuts or cashews are a great alternative to the peanuts in this recipe! Toast the nuts before adding for a deep nutty flavor!
Use a homemade brownie recipe instead of the box mix! If you’ve got a little extra time, making a delicious homemade brownie base is always a great option! If using my recipe, just omit the chopped chocolate bar on top!
Make them extra nutty! Though I love the crispy crunch from the cereal, you can replace that with additional peanuts!

A hand holding a brownie topped with a layer of marshmallows and then a layer of chocolate covered peanuts and cereal.

Other Recipes with a Box Brownie Mix

Buckeye Brownies

Oreo Brownies

Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies

Cheesecake Brownies

Toffee Brownies

5 from 1 vote

Rocky Road Brownies

Author: Kelsey

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Total Time 45

These Rocky Road Brownies bring a boxed brownie mix to the next level! All the flavors and textures of rocky road ice cream transformed into the most mouth-watering morsel – perfect for potlucks, bake sales, and after school snacks!

Equipment

One 9×13-inch pan

Ingredients

▢ 1 box brownie mix (18.3 oz) + ingredients called for on the box mix
▢ 3 cups mini marshmallows
▢ 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
▢ 1/2 cup light corn syrup
▢ 1/2 cup butter
▢ 2 cups Rice Krispies
▢ 2 cups salted peanuts

Instructions

Prepare the brownie mix according to the box instructions. (Be sure that you’re preparing it in a 9×13 pan – some brownie mixes these days only fit an 8×8 square pan).
1 box brownie mix (18.3 oz)
Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately put sprinkle the marshmallows over-top; return to the oven for 3 minutes.
3 cups mini marshmallows
While the brownies cool a bit, make the topping. In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together the chocolate chips, corn syrup, butter.
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 cup butter
Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until smooth.
Add the Rice Krispies and peanuts and stir until they are evenly coated.
2 cups Rice Krispies, 2 cups salted peanuts
Carefully spoon the mixture over the marshmallow-covered brownies. Use a rubber spatula or knife to spread it out evenly.
Cool the bars completely before cutting. (You can put them in the fridge to help set the bars more quickly, but cut them before they harden too much!)

Notes

These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. They also freeze well!!

Nutrition

“Dance Around the Kitchen” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.