These Rocky Road Cookies take indulgence to a whole new level! A rich chocolate cookie base is loaded with gooey melted marshmallows, creamy semi-sweet chocolate chips, and crunchy cashews for the ultimate texture and flavor explosion. Each bite is soft, chewy, and decadently fudgy just like the legendary Levain Bakery cookies! Perfect for chocoholics and cookie lovers alike, these treats are best enjoyed warm, with melty chocolate oozing from the center. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just satisfying a sweet craving, these Rocky Road Cookies are guaranteed to impress. Serve them with a glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy them as they are pure, chocolatey perfection!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Cold Butter (cut into cubes)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup Cake Flour
- 1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1¾ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows
- ¾ cup Cashews (roughly chopped)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar for at least 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix for another minute.
- Fold in cocoa powder, cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and cashews.
- Form large dough balls (about 5-6 ounces each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- To create a gourmet look, press a few extra chocolate chips and marshmallows onto the tops of the dough balls.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains soft.
- Once out of the oven, use a spatula to gently press any melted marshmallows back into the cookie.
- Allow cookies to rest for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 11 minutes | Total Time: 26 minutes
Kcal: 400 kcal | Servings: 8 large cookies
What Makes These Cookies Special?
There are thousands of chocolate cookie recipes out there, but Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies stand out for a few key reasons:
1. Unique Texture and Thickness
Most homemade cookies tend to spread out while baking, resulting in a thinner, crispier texture. However, Levain Bakery-style cookies are famous for their large, thick, and slightly domed shape. The secret lies in using cold butter, a mix of flours, and baking at a high temperature to keep the cookies from spreading too much while maintaining a gooey interior.
2. A Perfect Balance of Flavors
These cookies aren’t just about chocolate though they certainly deliver on that front! The combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy marshmallows, and salty cashews creates the perfect contrast of flavors. The rich cocoa base is intensified with high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, while the nuts add a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor. The marshmallows, meanwhile, offer that signature gooey, stretchy texture that makes every bite an experience.
3. Inspired by an Iconic Bakery
Levain Bakery in New York City is world-famous for its cookies, drawing long lines of dessert lovers eager to get their hands on one. This recipe is designed to recreate that bakery experience at home, allowing you to enjoy the same level of indulgence without traveling to NYC.
Baking Tips for Perfect Rocky Road Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home isn’t just about following a recipe it’s also about understanding a few key baking techniques. Here are some essential tips to make your Rocky Road Cookies turn out just as rich and fudgy as the originals:
1. Start with Cold Butter
Unlike traditional cookie recipes that call for softened butter, this one uses cold butter cut into cubes. This helps create that thick, structured cookie without too much spreading. When creamed with sugar for a few minutes, the butter incorporates air while maintaining its integrity, resulting in a dense yet tender crumb.
2. Use a Combination of Flours
Using a mix of cake flour and all-purpose flour is another trick to getting the right texture. Cake flour has a lower gluten content, making the cookies more tender, while all-purpose flour provides structure. If you don’t have cake flour on hand, you can substitute with all-purpose flour, but the texture may be slightly different.
3. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, be careful not to overmix. Overworking the dough can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of the soft and chewy texture you want. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
4. The Secret to Marshmallows
Mini marshmallows add that gooey, stretchy bite that makes Rocky Road so special. However, they tend to melt if placed directly on the edges of the cookie dough. To prevent this, fold them into the dough carefully and shape the cookies so that most marshmallows stay inside. If any marshmallows do end up on the edges and melt too much while baking, you can use a spatula to gently reshape the cookies while they’re still warm.
5. Let the Cookies Rest After Baking
One of the most important steps is letting the cookies sit for 10-15 minutes after coming out of the oven. This allows them to set properly, ensuring they don’t fall apart when you pick them up. The residual heat continues to cook the center slightly, making them perfectly gooey inside.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
These Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are incredibly indulgent on their own, but pairing them with the right accompaniments can take them to the next level!
- Classic Pairing: A cold glass of milk is the best companion for these ultra-rich cookies. The creamy, refreshing taste of milk balances the deep chocolatey flavors.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Slice a cookie in half and sandwich a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between them for an over-the-top dessert experience.
- Hot Chocolate: If you’re a true chocoholic, try dunking these cookies in a warm mug of hot cocoa for a double-chocolate dream.
- Coffee or Espresso: The slight bitterness of a freshly brewed espresso pairs beautifully with the sweet, fudgy texture of the cookies.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
Whether you’re a fan of Levain Bakery, a chocolate lover, or just looking for an unforgettable cookie recipe, these Rocky Road Cookies are guaranteed to satisfy. Their thick, bakery-style appearance makes them an impressive dessert for any occasion, while their rich flavors and contrasting textures make them irresistible.
Perfect for holidays, bake sales, or simply treating yourself, these cookies will quickly become a favorite in your household. Plus, since the dough can be frozen, you can always have some on hand to bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to recreate the magic of Levain Bakery at home, this Rocky Road Cookie recipe is the perfect place to start. With its ultra-rich chocolate base, gooey marshmallow pockets, and crunchy cashews, each bite is a heavenly mix of flavors and textures. The thick, bakery-style look and indulgent taste make them stand out from the average chocolate cookie.
Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven, dunked in milk, or paired with ice cream, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. With the right techniques and quality ingredients, you’ll be able to bake restaurant-quality cookies in your own kitchen no trip to NYC required!