Amazing 15-Min Rocky Road Fudge Keeper

If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just need something incredibly decadent and chocolatey, but you absolutely do not have time for baking, cooling, or fussing over complicated steps. Trust me, I’ve been there—staring down a mountain of corporate work, needing a Quick Sweet Fix. That’s why I immediately fell in love with this Rocky Road Fudge recipe. It’s honestly the easiest No Bake Fudge Recipe you will ever attempt, coming together in about 15 minutes flat right in the microwave!

This is pure joy in square form. It proves that incredible food doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you need a last-minute Christmas Candy solution or just a seriously satisfying late-night treat, this recipe is truly a fuss free dessert that delivers massive flavor payoff. We’re talking rich chocolate, chewy marshmallows, and crunchy nuts—all the texture complexity without turning on the oven. This is going to shake up your dessert game! If you love easy fudge, you absolutely have to check out my recipe for easy peanut butter fudge too.

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Why This is the Best Homemade Fudge: The Ultimate Rocky Road Fudge

When I create a recipe and call it the absolute Best Homemade Fudge, I mean it! What makes this Rocky Road Fudge recipe truly shine is that it eliminates all the stress. We ditch the candy thermometer and the double boiler entirely. That means incredible results every single time, which is what we want when we’re making Decadent Chocolate Treats.

The texture is what seals the deal for me. It’s that perfect combination: velvety smooth from the melted chocolate and condensed milk base, delightfully chewy thanks to the marshmallows, and that necessary snap of crunch from the nuts. It’s a true trifecta of texture!

Quick Dessert Bars Ready in Minutes

Seriously, you cannot beat the speed here. We’re talking 15 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the magic of the microwave. If you need an impressive, rich dessert and realize it at 7 PM, this recipe is your lifeline. It turns into that perfect, satisfying bite when you need a Quick Sweet Fix without any commitment to oven timers.

Perfect for Holiday Fudge Gifts

This fudge screams “special occasion,” but it costs next to nothing in time or effort. Once it sets up, cutting it into petite squares makes them look elegant and professional. They wrap up beautifully in small cellophane bags—perfect for dropping off to neighbors or friends during the busy season. These make fantastic Holiday Fudge Gifts!

If you’ve been looking for easy treats to pair with them, you absolutely must try my caramel ritz cracker Christmas cookies on the blog, too!

Ingredients for Your Easy Rocky Road Fudge

When we aim for that truly Decadent Chocolate Treat feel, the quality of ingredients matters, even in something this incredibly simple. I’ve laid out exactly what you need below. Please pay special attention to the marshmallows—we absolutely need those tiny mini marshmallows because they distribute so much better in that thick base. Also, make sure you have your 8×8 pan ready to go with parchment paper before you even start melting!

For the nuts, you have some wiggle room. I usually grab walnuts, but pecans are just as fantastic. Remember, this is quick cooking, so use what you have on hand, but make sure they are finely chopped!

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Marshmallow Nut Fudge

Because this is a no-bake recipe, there isn’t much to hide behind—the simplicity means the chocolate has to shine. Definitely try to use good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips; they melt smoother than the waxy, cheaper ones. You can definitely swap out the semi-sweet for milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter profile, or go dark for a richer bite. This is your signature Marshmallow Nut Fudge, after all!

The sweetened condensed milk is crucial here; don’t use evaporated milk—it won’t set correctly! If you’re out of walnuts, pecans work perfectly, or heck, even some slivered almonds if that’s what you have in the pantry. If you want to try a variation, I sometimes toss in a teaspoon of instant espresso powder right with the vanilla for a subtle depth. Isn’t experimenting fun? If you want more bar inspiration, take a peek at my recipe for Christmas sugar cookie bars.

Simple Fudge Instructions for Perfect Rocky Road Fudge

Okay, I know reading instructions can sometimes feel like tackling a final exam, but I promise these Simple Fudge Instructions are anything but stressful! The beauty here is that we are mostly waiting for the microwave to do the heavy lifting. Seriously, this process is so quick, it feels like cheating. We’re aiming for that rich, fudgy texture you dream about, not grainy disappointment!

First things first: get your 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. Remember to leave an overhang on two sides—that’s your built-in handle for lifting the whole glorious slab out later. Trust me on this one; it saves so much mess!

Next, we combine the condensed milk and chocolate chips in a bowl made for the microwave. Then comes the crucial part: melting. Once that’s smooth, we move to the mix-ins. Be gentle when you fold in the marshmallows and nuts. We want everything coated, but we don’t want to crush the marshmallows into oblivion, or we lose that lovely chew!

Pour it into the pan, and then it just needs quiet time to set. You can let it sit on the counter for about two hours, or if you’re impatient like me sometimes, pop it in the fridge for just an hour to speed things up. Then slice and enjoy this winner of a treat. If you love easy bases, you should really check out my recipe for easy condensed milk cake next!

Mastering the Microwave Fudge Recipe Technique

The biggest fear people have with a Microwave Fudge Recipe is scorching the chocolate. Don’t fret! The secret is short bursts. Microwave on high for just 30 seconds, pull it out, stir vigorously until the chocolate starts melting from the residual heat, and repeat. It usually takes about a minute and a half total, but stirring between every 30 seconds is non-negotiable. This gentle approach ensures your base is perfectly smooth—no burnt corners allowed!

Tips for Success When Making Rocky Road Fudge

I want this Rocky Road Fudge to be absolutely perfect for you, so let me share the couple of things I learned the hard way. The biggest tip relates to texture balance: when you fold in those marshmallows and nuts, use a rubber spatula and be gentle. You want them evenly folded in, not aggressively mashed. We need those chewy pockets of marshmallow and the satisfying crunch of the nuts to remain intact!

Also, if you’re cutting this into small squares for gifting, make sure your fudge is set completely firm—it cuts much cleaner. And seriously, double-check that parchment paper overhang in the pan! It’s your invisible assistant, making cleanup a breeze and ensuring you can lift that entire slab out without stressing. Once you nail that, this becomes the easiest candy you’ll ever make. Speaking of easy cookies, have you seen my recipe for soft and chewy banana oatmeal cookies?

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Storage and Making Ahead with Rocky Road Fudge

The best part about this confection is that it keeps so well! Since we aren’t using any cream or fresh dairy in the fudge base itself, these squares are champions at lasting. Store your cut pieces in a completely airtight container—this is important to keep humidity out—at cool room temperature for up to a week. They stay nicely soft and chewy that way.

If you are making them way ahead for the holidays, definitely keep them in the fridge for longevity, but let them sit out for about 15 minutes before serving so they soften up just a bit. This makes them a fantastic Christmas Candy because you can literally make the whole batch weeks before you need them. No last-minute panic needed!

If you are baking something else on the same day, check out my recipe for hot chocolate cupcakes—they pair perfectly with a bite of this fudge!

Variations for Your Marshmallow Nut Fudge

While this recipe is fantastic as written—a true testament to simple ingredients—sometimes you just want to give things a little homemade twist, right? Keeping the core structure of Fudge with Marshmallows and Nuts is key, but we can certainly play with flavors! I love adding just a tiny pinch of espresso powder when I stir in the vanilla; it deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

Another fun idea is switching up the extract—a little mint extract instead of vanilla makes these feel like a winter treat. And if you really want to show off, after you spread the fudge in the pan, wait about 30 minutes, then drizzle a thin layer of melted dark chocolate over the top before it sets. It gives you that extra satisfying snap when you bite in! If you’re looking for another fun chocolate bake, you should check out my chocolate pudding cake recipe.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rocky Road Fudge

I know sometimes the simplest recipes leave you with the biggest questions! Since this Rocky Road Fudge is so quick, people often wonder about substitutions or how the set works without the oven. I’ve gathered the most common things folks ask me about this Easy Chocolate Fudge wonder below. If you have other thoughts, drop them in the comments!

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows in this Rocky Road Fudge?

Oh, absolutely, you can! I love using mini marshmallows because they scatter themselves perfectly throughout the base without any effort from you. If you only have the big ones, just take my advice: snip them up roughly with kitchen scissors into quarters or thirds. If you dump those giants in there, they tend to clump together, and you end up with one giant, gooey pocket instead of that nice, even chewiness we want in our Fudge with Marshmallows and Nuts.

What makes this a No Bake Fudge Recipe?

That’s the best part! When we call this a No Bake Fudge Recipe, we mean you don’t have to preheat your oven for 350 degrees and wait forever. The only heat source required is the microwave, which we use just long enough to melt the chocolate chips and condensed milk into a smooth, luscious liquid base. Once that’s done, it’s all about setting—either on the counter or chilled in the fridge. It’s the ultimate Fuss Free Dessert!

How do I get a shiny top on my homemade candy recipes?

This is a great question for anyone looking to make beautiful presentation for their Homemade Candy Recipes! Shine comes from a smooth base and not disturbing the surface after spreading. Make sure your chocolate and milk mixture is perfectly smooth before you pour it into the pan—give it an extra stir if you see any streaks! Then, once everything is poured, gently spread it out once and leave it alone! Seriously, fighting with the marshmallows will only make the surface look dull, so fold them in lightly and then just let it set undisturbed. If you’re looking for another great treat for your holiday tray, you have to try my hot fudge brownie bread!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Rocky Road Fudge

Now, I always tell people to focus on the joy and not the numbers when it comes to something absolutely decadent like this Rocky Road Fudge, but I know some of you like to keep track! Please remember these are just estimates based on my calculation of the standard ingredients listed. This is made to be an indulgence, so enjoy it!

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 175
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 20g

That richness is what makes it so satisfying, right? It fits right in with my philosophy that incredible food shouldn’t be complicated, even decadent stuff like this!

Share Your Decadent Chocolate Treats

I truly hope you loved whipping up this batch of Rocky Road Fudge as much as I do. Honestly, making something this simple and having it turn out this spectacular is the purest joy in the kitchen! I’d absolutely love to hear what you think. Please take a second to leave a rating and tell me in the comments if you used walnuts or pecans!

And if you took a picture of your beautiful, shimmering squares—maybe wrapped up as a gift—please share it! Tagging me over on Facebook lets me see your creations and celebrate with you. You can find all the fun happenings over at my Facebook page, or just browse for more inspiration on the main blog later today!

The Easiest No-Bake Microwave Rocky Road Fudge (Ready in 15 Minutes)

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Make this easy Rocky Road Fudge using the microwave. This no-bake recipe combines rich chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts for a decadent, chewy, and crunchy treat that is perfect for holiday gifts.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 2 min
• Total Time: 17 min
• Yield: 36 small squares 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

1. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
2. Combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. This usually takes 1 to 1.5 minutes total.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until combined.
5. Gently fold in the mini marshmallows and the chopped nuts. Mix just until they are evenly distributed throughout the fudge mixture.
6. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
7. Allow the fudge to set completely at room temperature for about 2 hours, or place it in the refrigerator for 1 hour for faster setting.
8. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the fudge from the pan. Cut the fudge into small squares.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use high-quality chocolate chips or chopped baking chocolate.
• If you prefer pecans over walnuts, substitute them directly in the recipe.
• You can substitute milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips for semi-sweet, adjusting sweetness as needed.
• This fudge makes a wonderful homemade candy gift when wrapped individually.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 20
• Sodium: 45
• Fat: 9
• Saturated Fat: 5
• Unsaturated Fat: 4
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 23
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 3
• Cholesterol: 15