Description
This festive Christmas Rocky Road is a delightful holiday treat combining rich semi-sweet chocolate, creamy almond butter, crunchy roasted almonds, tart dried cranberries, fluffy mini marshmallows, and juicy pomegranate seeds, all infused with warm holiday spices. Perfect for gifting or enjoying as a sweet holiday snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Rocky Road Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond butter
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
- ⅓ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- ½ large pomegranate, seeds removed
Spices and Flavorings
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1/16 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/16 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/16 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep + Melt: Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper. For a double batch, use a 9x9 or 8x8 inch square pan. In a medium pot set over low heat, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, unsweetened almond butter, butter or vegan butter, and all the spices and flavorings. Stir frequently to melt everything smoothly and prevent burning.
- Mix-ins: Once melted and combined, stir in the roughly chopped roasted almonds and dried cranberries. Remove the pot from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 3 to 5 minutes so that when you add the mini marshmallows, they do not melt. Gently fold in the marshmallows, coating them evenly.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Spread the rocky road mixture evenly into the lined loaf pan, pressing gently into the corners with a spatula. Sprinkle the removed pomegranate seeds generously on top. Refrigerate the mixture until firm, approximately 2 hours, before cutting into pieces for serving.
Notes
- 1/16 teaspoon is half of a ⅛ teaspoon measure, essentially a pinch, used for each holiday spice to balance the flavor without overpowering.
- Storage: Keep leftover Christmas Rocky Road in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or at a cool room temperature for 2 to 3 days. The candy itself will last longer, but the pomegranate seeds can spoil after these times.
- For a vegan version, substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for butter and use vegan marshmallows like Dandies, which are also gluten-free.
- For gluten-free, ensure marshmallows are gluten-free, such as Jet Puffed or Campfire brand marshmallows, which are safe for those with celiac disease.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
