A rocky road recipe using dark chocolate, homemade rose marshmallows, pistachios, cranberries and toasted coconut. This dairy free rocky road is a dream! Not only dairy free, it is also gluten free and refined sugar free as well.
Rocky road is one of my favourite healthy chocolate desserts and is especially great to make at Christmas time!
If you’re a sweet tooth like me then you might like to also try our Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups and Cranberry & Pistachio Homemade Chocolate.
How is THIS a healthy rocky road recipe?
So how am I making this Rocky Road healthy you ask? Here’s how:
- Homemade Marshmallows – Marshmallows are a BIG part of rocky road – without them is it really even rocky road? Most store bought marshmallows are made with high fructose corn syrup, which is basically the worst type of sugar that you can eat. Instead of store bought, this rocky road uses a home-made, honey marshmallow! Don’t worry, they are really easy to make. I even have a full, step-by-step guide here for you to check out.
- Dark Chocolate – The other essential part of rocky road is obviously the chocolate. Instead of using milk chocolate, which is higher in sugar and usually based on milk solids, this recipe calls for dark chocolate. I like to use an organic 70% dark chocolate (Green & Blacks to be precise).
- Dried Cranberries – Instead of jelly lollies, I use organic dried cranberries. I buy fruit juice sweetened cranberries from the bulk foods store as a lot of dried cranberries are loaded with sugar. BUT, if that’s all you can find then that is still better than using lollies.
- Pistachios – Nuts are high in healthy fats, fibre and protein, which helps to provide more sustained energy.
INGREDIENTS
So with all of that being said, here are all of the ingredients that you will need for this dark chocolate rocky road recipe:
ROSE MARSHMALLOWS
- grass-fed gelatin
- water
- raw honey
- rose water – try to buy a natural rose water without preservatives or artificial flavours. I’ve used this Chef’s Choice brand from the health food store.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
- organic dark chocolate – I try to use refined sugar free chocolate where possible.
- toasted coconut
- organic dried cranberries
- pistachios
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Large bowl
- Rectangular metal pan or glass pan
- Electric mixers
- Spatula
- Sieve
- Wooden spoon
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HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE ROCKY ROAD
STEP 1: Make the marshmallow. See this post for more detailed instructions on how to make the marshmallows.
STEP 2: Melt the chocolate. Place a heatproof bowl atop a medium saucepan of boiling water. Break the dark chocolate up and place into the bowl. Use a spoon to stir the chocolate as it melts. Once the chocolate is melted, remove from the heat.
STEP 3: Combine ingredients. Cut up the marshmallow into mini marshmallows. Allow the dark chocolate to cool to just above room temperature (so as not to melt the marshmallows). Add the marshmallows, cranberries, toasted coconut and pistachios to large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the melted chocolate over the top and stir through quickly.
STEP 4: Pour into tin. Tip the ingredients into a parchment paper lined square pan and spread out evenly. Place the healthy rocky road slice into the fridge for at least 2 hours or until completely set.
STEP 5: Serve. Cut into either rocky road squares or longer chocolate bars depending on your preference.
Hint: The ingredients in this recipe contain no gluten, so this rocky road is gluten free. To make sure this recipe is dairy free, make sure you check the ingredients of the dark chocolate that you buy. Most dark chocolates will be dairy free.
Substitutions
The homemade marshmallows, while delicious, can take a little time to prepare. If you are short on time or have specific dietary preferences, then I’ve provided some ingredient substitutions that you can make.
- Homemade marshmallows – swap for vegan marshmallows to make vegan or swap for popcorn, digestive biscuits or toasted nuts.
- Dark Chocolate – can be swapped for high quality dark chocolate chips
- Pistachios – swap for any other nut or use sunflower seeds or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to make nut free.
- Cranberries – use any other dried fruit such as sultanas or dried mango.
Storage
This slice is best stored in a sealed container in the fridge and will keep for 5-7 days. This recipe freezes well also.
Pin For Later
Healthy Rocky Road
Ingredients
Rose Homemade Marshmallow
- 1/8 cup gelatin , powder
- 60 mL water
- Tapioca starch for dusting pan
- 60 mL water
- 90 mL honey
- 2 tsp rose water
Assembly
- 270 g organic dark chocolate
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut, toasted
- 1/3 cup pistachio, shelled
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, organic
- dried rose petals, optional
Instructions
Marshmallow
- First, prepare the marshmallow by pouring 60mL water into a medium bowl. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over the top of the water, stir together briefly and leave to bloom.1/8 cup gelatin powder, 60 mL water
- Line a loaf tin with baking paper and dust with a fine layer of tapioca starch. Set aside.Tapioca starch for dusting pan
- Create a honey syrup by adding honey and water to a saucepan and whisking to combine. Place saucepan onto a high heat and bring to a boil for around 2 minutes or until temperature reaches 116-118 degrees Celsius.60 mL water, 90 mL honey
- With electric beaters in one hand, slowly pour honey syrup into bloomed gelatin while beating to combine. Beat for 8 minutes, slowly increasing the speed. While beating, add in the rose water.2 tsp rose water
- Once the mixture is white and fluffy, pour into the pre-prepared loaf tin. Place tin in freezer for 1 hour to set.
- Once the marshmallow is set, remove from the freezer and use a sharp knife, dusted in tapioca starch, to cut into small cubes. Dust each cube in tapioca starch and store in an airtight contain, between layers of baking paper to prevent sticking.
Assembly
- Next it is time to melt the dark chocolate. Add a saucepan filled 1/3 full of water. Place the saucepan onto the stovetop and bring to a medium heat. Top the saucepan with a heatproof bowl. Break up the dark chocolate into chunks and place into bowl. Stir occasionally to melt evenly.270 g organic dark chocolate
- Once the chocolate is melted, set aside for 5 minutes to bring the temperature down.
- Add the toasted coconut, pistachio, dried cranberries and cubed marshmallow to a bowl and stir to combine. Top with melted chocolate, mixing through quickly.1/3 cup shredded coconut toasted, 1/3 cup pistachio shelled, 1/3 cup dried cranberries organic
- Pour out into baking paper lined slice tin and spread out evenly. Top with dried rose petals if desired. Place into fridge to set for approximately 1 hour. Once completely set, remove from the fridge and use a sharp knife to slice into pieces. Place rocky road pieces into an airtight container and return to the fridge until ready to eat.dried rose petals optional
Notes
Storage
Store sliced rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.Substitutions
For ingredient substitutions see the full blog post. To make vegan use vegan marshmallows. For detailed instructions on making homemade marshmallows see our Healthy Homemade Marshmallows Post.Nutrition
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