These Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are a decadent twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, featuring generous chunks of dark chocolate, crunchy nuts, and soft, gooey marshmallows. Their thick, rustic shape and chewy texture make each bite a delightful indulgence that satisfies chocolate lovers and cookie enthusiasts alike.
Perfect for sharing or treating yourself on a cozy afternoon, these cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee. The combination of rich cocoa, toasted nuts, and sweet marshmallows creates a comforting dessert experience that’s perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a holiday gathering or a simple sweet craving.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup light brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips
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1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
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1 cup mini marshmallows
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy and well combined.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows carefully, distributing them evenly.
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Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, drop hefty mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 3 inches apart. These cookies will be thick and chunky.
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Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are set but centers remain soft. Do not overbake.
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Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 14 minutes | Total Time: 34 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 380 kcal per cookie | Servings: 12 large cookies
The Allure of Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies have gained cult status among cookie lovers worldwide, and for good reason. These cookies are the perfect marriage of textures and flavors, combining rich dark chocolate chunks, crunchy nuts, and pillowy mini marshmallows into one thick, decadent treat. Unlike your average chocolate chip cookie, these have a rustic, chunky appearance and a dense, chewy interior that almost melts in your mouth. The name “Rocky Road” traditionally refers to a combination of chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows, and Levain’s take on this classic flavor profile turns it into an irresistible cookie experience.
What Makes These Cookies So Special?
There are a few things that set these cookies apart from others. First, the sheer size and thickness create a satisfying bite that’s substantial and indulgent. Levain Bakery’s cookies are known for being large, almost like mini cookie cakes, which means each bite delivers a complex balance of flavors and textures. The chocolate chunks used are often bittersweet or dark, which lends a deep cocoa richness that balances beautifully with the sweetness of the marshmallows and the earthy crunch of walnuts or pecans.
The butter in the recipe is kept cold and cubed, then creamed with sugars, which helps create a cookie that is tender yet dense. The inclusion of cocoa powder in the dough deepens the chocolate flavor and adds a slightly fudgy texture. Baking powder and baking soda ensure the cookies rise just enough to hold their shape while maintaining a chewy center. These techniques all come together to create the Levain Bakery magic — a cookie that is far more than just sweet; it’s a multi-textured indulgence.
A Balance of Textures and Flavors
One of the reasons these cookies are so addictive is the interplay between crunchy, chewy, and gooey. The toasted nuts add a pleasant crunch that contrasts the soft marshmallows, which melt slightly but hold their shape, offering bursts of sugary softness. The chocolate chunks don’t completely melt but soften enough to coat your palate with rich cocoa flavor. This combination is what makes every bite a delightful surprise.
Moreover, the cookie dough itself has a slight bitterness from the cocoa powder, which balances the sweetness of the sugar and marshmallows. This interplay prevents the cookie from feeling overly sweet or one-dimensional, which is often a pitfall with rich dessert treats.
The Appeal of Homemade Rocky Road Cookies
Making these cookies at home offers several advantages. First, the ability to control the ingredients means you can adjust nuts, chocolate types, or marshmallows according to your preferences or dietary needs. For example, you could swap out walnuts for pecans, or even add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the flavors further. Homemade also means fresh – warm cookies fresh out of the oven have a different appeal than store-bought, with that unbeatable aroma filling your kitchen.
Additionally, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to make. While they look impressive and taste gourmet, the process is simple enough for even beginner bakers. You don’t need any fancy equipment—just basic kitchen tools and a willingness to indulge in some serious baking fun. This makes them a great project for weekend baking, holidays, or even as a gift for friends and family.
Occasions Perfect for Rocky Road Cookies
These cookies fit perfectly into a wide range of occasions. Their indulgent nature makes them an ideal dessert for special celebrations, whether it’s a birthday party, a festive holiday gathering, or just a cozy night in. They also work beautifully as a homemade gift during the winter holidays, thanks to the classic “rocky road” flavor that many associate with comfort and nostalgia.
Because of their size and richness, these cookies are best enjoyed in moderation but always bring joy whenever shared. They can also be a hit at bake sales, cookie exchanges, or potlucks, where their distinctive texture and flavor profile set them apart from more traditional cookie options.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Rocky Road Cookies
Achieving the ideal Levain Bakery Rocky Road cookie at home involves a few helpful tips. Keep your butter cold until creaming to maintain that perfect dense, thick texture. Don’t overmix your dough once you add the dry ingredients — overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Use good quality chocolate chunks or chips rather than regular chocolate chips to ensure the flavor is intense and the texture perfect. Finally, baking time is crucial: underbaking slightly ensures the cookies stay soft and gooey in the center rather than dry or crumbly.
Using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat will help the cookies bake evenly and prevent sticking. Also, spacing the cookie dough mounds sufficiently apart on your baking tray is important since these cookies spread less but puff up more, creating that signature chunky look.
Variations and Customizations
While the classic Levain Rocky Road cookie is iconic, there are many ways to customize the recipe. You could experiment with different types of nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts for varied flavor profiles. Dark chocolate can be swapped with milk or white chocolate for a sweeter or creamier twist. Some bakers like to add a pinch of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor even further.
For those with dietary restrictions, vegan marshmallows can be used, and the recipe can be modified to be dairy-free by using vegan butter substitutes. You can even add dried fruit such as cherries or cranberries for a tart contrast to the sweetness. The base recipe is versatile enough to allow for a little creative license while maintaining the spirit of a rocky road cookie.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
These cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, but they are best enjoyed fresh for that warm, gooey texture. You can also freeze them after baking if you want to keep them longer—just thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly in the oven before serving.
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies pair beautifully with cold milk, hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. They also work wonderfully as a decadent afternoon snack or as a dessert with a scoop of whipped cream or chocolate sauce drizzled on top.
Conclusion
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies offer a truly special cookie experience that goes beyond the ordinary. With their thick, chunky texture, rich chocolate flavor, crunchy nuts, and soft marshmallows, they satisfy a variety of cravings in a single bite. Perfect for any occasion, from casual family treat times to holiday celebrations, these cookies are as versatile as they are delicious.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe invites you to enjoy baking that feels both approachable and luxurious. The layers of texture and flavor combine to create a cookie that’s not only satisfying but memorable. Once you try these cookies, it’s easy to see why Levain Bakery’s recipe has become a beloved classic and why Rocky Road remains a favorite flavor combination in the world of sweets. So grab your mixing bowl and enjoy the process as much as the results — these cookies are sure to become a treasured staple in your dessert lineup.