Easy Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe

This homemade rocky road ice cream is so good and easy to make! Grab this recipe and make this sweet treat for dessert tonight!

I used to hear about Rocky Road ice cream all the time—movies, commercials, people raving about it—but for some reason, I just never tried it. Then one day, I finally scooped some into a bowl, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite.

Creamy chocolate ice cream loaded with gooey marshmallows, crunchy pecans, and melty chocolate chips? Yeah, I had been missing out. Now, my kids and I make homemade Rocky Road all the time, and I swear, it’s even better than store-bought. No ice cream maker, no fancy steps—just mix, freeze, and scoop your way to dessert heaven.

Ingredients

Heavy cream—makes this ice cream super rich and creamy
Sweetened condensed milk—adds sweetness and keeps the texture perfectly smooth
Pure vanilla extract—because vanilla makes everything taste better
Salt—just a pinch to balance the flavors
Unsweetened cocoa powder—gives that deep, rich chocolate taste
Chopped pecans—adds crunch and nuttiness to the mix
Semi-sweet chocolate chips—because more chocolate is always a good idea
Mini marshmallows—rocky road just isn’t rocky road without these pillowy bites of sweetness

How to Make It

In a mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream until soft peaks form—don’t go overboard, we’re not making whipped cream, just getting some nice air in there.

In a separate large bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, salt, and cocoa powder until smooth.

Now, gently fold the cocoa mixture into the whipped cream. This is the key to keeping it light and fluffy!

Once that’s mixed, toss in the pecans, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Fold them in so they’re evenly spread throughout the ice cream base.

Pour everything into a bread pan (or any freezer-safe container), smooth out the top, and pop it in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.

Scoop, serve, and watch it disappear!

FAQs

Can I use different nuts? Absolutely! Swap the pecans for almonds, walnuts, or even peanuts if that’s your vibe.

What if I want it even more chocolatey? Toss in some extra chocolate chips or drizzle in some chocolate fudge before freezing.

Can I make this dairy-free? Yes! Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of regular.

How long does homemade ice cream last? If you store it properly (tightly covered in the freezer), it’ll stay good for up to 2 weeks—but let’s be real, it won’t last that long.

My Rocky Road Revelation & Why Homemade Ice Cream is the Best

I don’t know why it took me so long to try Rocky Road, but once I did, I understood the hype. Something about that combo of rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy nuts just hits different.

My kids love making this at home, mostly because they get to sneak extra marshmallows into the mix, but also because there’s something magical about homemade ice cream.

It’s fresher, creamier, and totally customizable. Plus, the fact that we can whip it up without an ice cream maker? Game. Changer. If you’ve never made your own ice cream before, this is the recipe to start with!