Craving a sweet treat that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further than these rocky road cookies! This recipe is perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings and impressing your friends and family. It’s a fantastic example of homemade cooking at its finest, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. Ready to dive into a world of gooey chocolate, crunchy nuts, and marshmallowy goodness? Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup marshmallows (mini or regular, your choice!)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (a mix of almonds, walnuts, and pecans works great)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This easy step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze! Measure out all your ingredients beforehand for a smoother cooking process.
Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly use a hand mixer or even a good old-fashioned whisk if you're feeling ambitious!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!
Step 5: Stir in the Goodies: Now for the fun part! Fold in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and chopped nuts. Make sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, you're ready to enjoy these delicious, easy rocky road cookies!
Tips for the Best Rocky Road Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened. This will ensure that it creams properly with the sugars, resulting in lighter, fluffier cookies.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined and then stop!
- Cooling is Important: Let the cookies cool completely on the wire rack before storing them. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
Variations:
- Add Some Spice: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds a warm, comforting flavor.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, like dark chocolate or white chocolate.
- Dried Fruit: Add some chopped dried cranberries or cherries for a burst of fruity flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 200-250 Fat: 10-12g Sugar: 20-25g
This recipe is perfect for quick dinner ideas or a simple dessert. It's a healthy alternative to store-bought cookies, packed with wholesome ingredients and customizable to your preferences. These delicious dishes are guaranteed to become a family favorite! Enjoy your homemade rocky road cookies – they're the best recipes for satisfying a sweet tooth!