Rocky Road Fluff

Delicious Rocky Road Fluff is a no-bake dessert salad that is rich, chocolatey, and loaded with marshmallows and nuts. Enjoy every decadent and creamy bite. 

The hardest part of this basic recipe is waiting the hour it takes for it to set in the refrigerator! This is a super easy, no-fail dessert that kids can make at home in the summertime. One taste, and it will become one of your favorite fluff recipes. You will adore the flavor combo in this easy pudding dessert. 

If you love the combination of salty and sweet flavors and think that rocky road ice cream is a gift from Heaven, then you’ll love this no-bake dessert. Chocolate pudding, marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanuts, and almonds combine to give you a dessert that tastes just like the ice cream flavor.

Since you make it with chocolate pudding, you don’t need cocoa powder or heavy cream. The soft marshmallow mixture tastes just like rocky road brownies without all the baking and waiting. 

Why You’ll Love Rocky Road Fluff

• Takes 10 minutes to make 
• Easy to customize 
• Tastes like a candy bar 
• Can be prepared the night before 
• Perfect for cookouts or parties 

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This is the foundation of the entire recipe; try it with dark chocolate pudding for a richer flavour.  
• Milk: You need milk to make the pudding; make sure it’s cold and full-fat for the best results.
• Cool Whip: A tub of Cool Whip makes the fluff extra light and creamy; the full-fat variety tastes best. You can also make your own homemade Cool Whip.
• Marshmallows: Rocky Road ice cream always has marshmallows, so use all-white mini marshmallows for a perfect dupe. 
• Chocolate chips: Be creative and use your favorite kind; I used mini chocolate chips
• Peanuts: All rocky road has nuts; use salted or unsalted peanuts and make sure they are chopped.
• Almonds: Use sliced almonds to make the fluff easier to eat.

How to Make Rocky Road Fluff

• Step One: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cold milk into the pudding until no lumps remain.
• Step Two: Fold in the Cool Whip until combined.

• Step Three: Stir in the marshmallows, chocolate chips, and nuts.
• Step Four: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

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• Large mixing bowl – Use a large bowl that is big enough to hold all ingredients. 
• Electric mixer – While it isn’t required, mixing the pudding with an electric or stand mixer is much easier. 
• Plastic wrap – If you store your fluff in the refrigerator, use a dish with an airtight lid or cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap.  

What to Serve with Rocky Road Fluff 

Since I don’t think there is such a thing as too much chocolate, I like to put Rocky Road fluff salad on the dessert table with a plate of chocolate Rice Krispies. They both feature lots of chocolate and marshmallows, so they are perfect together. 

If you’re wondering which main courses to serve with this sweet and salty dessert, I suggest making some easy grilled chicken. It feeds a crowd and always comes out perfectly juicy. For something lighter, make a BLT salad. It’s a fantastic way to use garden tomatoes. 

Variations and Substitutions

• Use dark chocolate pudding. If you love chocolate, use some dark chocolate pudding to kick the flavor up a notch. 
• Lighten it up with white chocolate chips. When you use white chocolate chips, it will complement the milk chocolate pudding in the best way. 
• Replace almonds with hazelnuts. If you have an almond allergy, leave them out or replace them with chopped hazelnuts. 
• Make it dairy-free. Replace the milk with coconut or almond milk. Canned almond milk is thicker and gives the pudding a better texture. 
• Add peanut butter. Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter in this no-bake recipe. 
• Make a dip. Serve it with some graham crackers for easy dipping. 

Storage Instructions 

Since this recipe contains dairy, you must store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days. 

Can I Freeze? 

I don’t recommend freezing the Rocky Road fluff. When you thaw it, the texture will change and won’t be as light or fluffy. 

Rocky Road Fluff Tips and Tricks

• Make sure the milk is cold before you add it to the pudding packet. This will make it easier to mix into the pudding. 
• Use an electric mixer. You need to beat the pudding until there aren’t any lumps, which is easier with an electric mixer. 
• Gently add the Cool Whip. Fold it in and use a rubber spatula. If you overmix the Cool Whip, it won’t be as creamy or fluffy. 
• Adjust the ingredients. Use as many marshmallows and nuts as you want. If you don’t like marshmallows, leave them out. 
• Keep it covered and chilled until you serve it. This will protect the light texture and keep it tasting fresh. 

What is Fluff Salad? 

A fluff salad is thicker than pudding and usually includes some kind of mix-in, like fruit, nuts, or candies. There are many variations of fluff salads out there, but most of them start with pudding thickened with cream cheese and topped with whipped cream. 

Is Rocky Road Fluff a Dessert or Side? 

It is a dessert and not a side dish. Since it’s based on Rocky Road ice cream, it has a vibrant and sweet flavor that tastes better as dessert. 

Can I Make Rocky Road Fluff Ahead of Time and Store It in the Refrigerator? 

Yes, you can make this fluff salad the night before. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

FAQ

Dessert Salads  

Want more dessert salads? Here are some of my favorite no-bake desserts:

• Strawberry Fluff Salad: Sweetened with strawberry pie filling mixed into a Cool Whip base, this has many similar ingredients and works as both a side dish and dessert. 
• Snickers Salad Recipe:  If you love Snickers, you’ll enjoy this fluffy dessert – it’s made with chunks of Snickers. 
• Cherry Fluff Salad: This fruity dessert only has four ingredients and the unmistakably tart flavor of cherries. 
• Pineapple Rice Pudding: This is a classic side dish flavored with pineapple and tender rice. 
• Fruit Cocktail Dessert: Serve this fluffy dessert salad inside individual glasses; it’s made with pudding, Cool Whip, and your favorite canned fruit. 

Try my Banana Pudding Fluff, Lemon Blueberry Fluff, Mango Banana Marshmallow Salad, Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff, Berry Cheesecake Fluff, Tropical Fluff Salad and Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

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