BEST Rocky Road Fudge Recipe

Rocky Road Fudge is a classic for the holiday season and you wont be able to stop eating it! Outrageously delicious, super easy and only 4 ingredients needed! Your family will love it!

December is such a busy time with getting ready for Christmas, attending parties, ending the school semester, packing to leave town, purchasing and making gifts… the list goes on. So for those of you who are crazy busy or just want something delish, this Rocky Road Fudge is for you!  It takes less then 10 minutes to whip up.

With just 4 ingredients and a microwave, how much easier do things get?! Seriously, I think the hardest part is waiting for the fudge to set up… and keeping my kiddos from eating the rest of the bag of marshmallows. You get all the flavors of your favorite ice cream but in fudge form!

Ingredients for Rocky Road Fudge

With just 4 ingredients, you’ll have the tastiest rocky road fudge! All these ingredients can also be bought several weeks ahead of time. Here is what you will need…

• Chocolate Chips: We prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: We always use Eagle Brand. It’s just best!
• Mini Marshmallows: just one 10oz bag will get the job done
• Walnuts: roughly chopped

The measurements of each ingredient can be found by scrolling down to the recipe card below.

How to Make Rocky Road Fudge

This might be the easiest fudge recipe you’ve ever seen! And the extra bonus is that it’s a no bake dessert. You don’t even need a double boiler or a candy thermometer. I don’t know about you, but quick and simple is exactly what I need around the holidays! Here are the basic steps:

1. Prep: Line a 9×9 inch pan with foil and grease lightly with butter.
2. Microwave: Place chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and then microwave in 15 second increments until chocolate is melted and smooth.
3. Fold: Add the marshmallows and nuts and fold into the chocolate mixture.
4. Refrigerate: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
5. Serve: Slice into squares and serve.

The complete recipe is available in the recipe card at the end of this post. You can save or print the recipe from there.

Can I Double this Recipe to a 9×13 Pan?

Yes! If you are making fudge for a crowd or to give to neighbors for Christmas, then definitely double the recipe in a 9×13 baking pan.

What Nuts Can You Substitute for Walnuts in Recipes?

If you are looking for a substitute for walnuts, there are several nuts that will work just fine. Black walnuts or other nuts such as pecans, cashews, almonds or p

Rich chocolate brownies with cranberries and pecans are one of my favorite easy-to-make desserts this time of year – it is an unexpected and fun holiday flavor combination.

Served plain or topped with ice cream and hot fudge sauce, I’ve been making cranberry brownies at least a few times every holiday season for years. And without exception, everyone who has tasted them has raved over them.

Cranberry Brownies

The brownie base for this recipe has been my favorite for years. It’s a simple saucepan recipe that comes together in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for snacking any time of day.

The cranberries are a tart counterpart to the rich chocolate fudgy brownies. It’s a fun surprise flavor and they’re always a guaranteed hit on a dessert table. If you haven’t already fallen in love with the pairing of fruit and chocolate, these brownies may convince you to try it soon.

Who doesn’t love a rich, fudge brownie for a sweet snack? The cranberries that have a home in my freezer all year for the Cranberry Christmas Cake have to do double duty for these brownies now too.

Fresh Cranberry Recipes

There’s so much more to fresh cranberries than th

One of the most frequent cooking questions I answer is regarding safe meat cooking temperatures. Over the past ten years, the recommendation for pork cooking temp has changed and there’s been a bit of confusion. So, this is a great time to review – and to share one of our favorite pork roast recipes once more!

Pork Internal Temp

145°F with a 3-minute rest provides the optimal eating experience and is the minimum safe internal pork cooking temperature provided by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

I can not encourage you enough to take the time to learn how to use a meat thermometer. (This is an easy-to-use digital thermometer at a great price.) Once you’ve tried cooking pork to medium-rare or medium, the difference in taste, texture, and flavor just might blow your mind.

Pork Cook Temp

The recommended cooking temperature for pork used to be 160°F; for every cut, for every single type of pork. Now, thanks to all of the biosecurity measures and the animal health issues that are of so much importance in the pork industry, we have healthier and safer pork to eat at lower temperatures.

This means that we can safely eat pork cooked to a juicy and never dried out 145°F. And THAT, my friends, is delicious pork.

Per The National Pork Board, the recommendation for cooking pork chops, pork roasts, and tenderloin is an internal pork temp of 145° F, followed by a three-minute rest.

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Holiday Pomegranate and Asparagus Salad

This delicious asparagus salad recipe is a refreshing and healthy addition to any holiday meal. Tossed with pomegranate arils and fresh oranges, it is the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

I’m always trying to find new ways to use asparagus because it’s pretty much the best vegetable ever. Don’t you think? It tastes so good! So I experimented with some fresh holiday flavors and colors and created this festive holiday salad.

Serve this side dish alongside your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast and it will be a bright burst of fresh flavor at your holiday meal. The asparagus, orange wedges and pomegranate are such a tasty trio. You’re going to love it!

What Do I Need to Make Pomegranate Asparagus Salad

Sometimes salads have tons of different ingredients, and sometimes salads are just a few perfectly paired ingredients. This salad recipe is the latter and this is all you will need:

• Asparagus
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Orange
• Pomegranate Arils
• Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese
• Butter
• Panko Breadcrumbs
• Balsamic Glaze

The measurements needed of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Substitutions for Blue Cheese

I know there are strong feelings out there about blue cheese, or other strong cheeses like gorgonzola. If you are opposed, go with feta cheese or even parmesan cheese would be a great option.

How to Make Asparagus Pomegranate Salad

You’re just a few simple steps away from a bold holiday salad that will be talk of your family gathering. Here are basic steps:

1. Roast: Place the asparagus spears on a sheet pan and toss them with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast under the broiler for a few minutes, rotating as needed.
2. Cool: Don’t overcook the asparagus. You want it to have some crispiness left to it. Remove it from the oven and let it cool.
3. Toast: Melt a tablespoon of butter in a small sauté pan and then add the Panko bread crumb. Let them get toasty brown stirring as needed. Then let it cool completely.
4. Toss: Slice the asparagus into bite-sized pieces and toss with the orange segments, orange zest, blue cheese and pomegranate seeds in a large bowl.
5. Drizzle: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze and top with the toasted Panko. Serve and enjoy!

These instructions can also be found in the recipe card down below so keep scrolling for all the details.

What to Eat with Holiday Asparagus Salad

While this salad would be great any time of year, I envision eating it during the holiday season so here are some ideas for what to serve it with:

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Hot Honey Pear and Brie Mini Appetizers

Impress your guests with this simple and irresistible appetizer – hot honey roasted pear and baked brie in puff pastry with prosciutto. Follow our easy recipe and enjoy the perfect blend of creamy brie cheese, flaky puff pastry, and sweet and savory toppings.

I have been obsessed with our roasted pear salad, so I based these mini baked brie appetizers on the flavors in that salad. I pretty much roast pears in the oven constantly or brown them in a skillet for seriously everything including just on cottage cheese or oatmeal for breakfast. It is the most delicious thing ever!

I know that hot honey is all the rage right now, and it should be! It is the secret ingredient in this appetizer recipe that just sends the flavor through the roof. I can’t wait for you to try this one! Great for New Years Eve, game day, a bridal shower…ideal for any occasion!

Ingredients for Roasted Pear and Brie Appetizers

This recipe looks and sounds so fancy, but it’s so simple! All you have to do is roast some pears and everything else is ready to assemble. Here is your grocery list:

• Pear: Bartlett, Anjou or any pear you love works great
• Olive Oil: helps roast the pears
• Salt: enhances the pear flavor
• Puff Pastry: just buy it pre-made at the store usually by the pie crusts
• Brie: grab it in your deli section, you can buy a large wheel of brie or small wheels because they will get cubed
  • You can leave the rind on or remove it.
• Egg and Water: makes an egg wash to help the puff pastry get crispy and golden
• Prosciutto: you can find it in the specialty meats section of the grocery store or ask at the deli counter
• Thyme: fresh is preferred and chop it slightly
• Hot Honey: my favorite brand is Savannah Bee Company brand over Mike’s and Nate’s

The details for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

What is Brie?

Brie is a soft, buttery and creamy cheese that originated in France. It is off-white in color and made from cow’s milk. It is rich, fruity and earthy in flavor.

How to Make Puff Pastry Appetizers

The crispy puff pastry creates a cup that holds the melty brie, roasted pears, salty prosciutto with a burst of herby freshness from the thyme and a sweet heat from the hot honey. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors!

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Roast: Slice the pear th