This Rocky Road with Maltesers is the ultimate no-bake chocolate treat. Packed with crunchy Maltesers, chewy marshmallows, buttery biscuits, and smooth chocolate, it's rich, indulgent, and perfect for gifting or serving at parties.
A Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Rocky Road with Maltesers (Easy No-Bake Chocolate Slice)
- 🕒 Ready In: ~20 minutes active prep + 4 hours setting time
- 👪 Serves: About 20 pieces (depending on how you slice them)
- 🍽 Calories: No one needs to know, this is food for the soul!
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Milk chocolate, Mars bars, butter, golden syrup, rich tea biscuits, Maltesers, mini marshmallows
- 📖 Dietary Info: Can be made vegetarian (check marshmallow gelatin), indulgent treat, not suitable for those avoiding refined sugar
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: No oven required, crowd-pleasing, makes a fantastic gift
As a dietitian, I believe in balance. Not every recipe on this site needs to be high-protein or packed with vegetables, and that's completely okay. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and that includes really good chocolate treats like this rocky road made with Maltesers and Mars bars.
This is a recipe I have been making for years, long before I started this blog. Anytime I am invited to a party or a social gathering it's the treat I bring and I become everybody's new best friend! But because people are always asking for the recipe, I knew the best move forward was to add it to this blog, so I can easily send it to a friend and they can send it to theirs too.
What I love most is how simple it is. There's no baking involved, just melting, mixing, and setting. You can whip it up with kids on a rainy afternoon or make it the night before a party, and it tastes miles better than anything shop-bought.
If you're looking for other indulgent treats, you might also enjoy my Mars Bar Crispy Cake or Baileys Cheesecake Recipe for another special occasion dessert. However, if you want something a little healthier, maybe after eating too many of these slices... try my healthy rocky road recipe next!
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At This Recipe
- Why I Love This Recipe as a Dietitian
- Key Ingredients
- Ingredient Substitutions
- Equipment
- How To Make This Maltesers Rocky Road Recipe
- Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- FAQ
- More Sweet Recipes You Will Love
- Want to Learn About Nutrition?
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why I Love This Recipe as a Dietitian
- It's honest about what it is – this is a treat, and there's nothing wrong with that. Food doesn't have to be "healthy" all the time to fit into a balanced diet.
- No oven needed – perfect for hot days, busy schedules, or when you just can't be bothered turning on the oven.
- Great for sharing – makes a big batch that's perfect for parties, bake sales, or gifting to friends and family.
- It tastes better than shop-bought – homemade rocky road is fresher, more chocolatey, and you can control the ingredient quality.
- Simple enough for kids to help – melting chocolate is the only "cooking" involved, making it a fun activity for little ones.
- A reminder that balance matters – enjoying treats like this occasionally is part of a sustainable, realistic approach to eating well.
Key Ingredients
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Plain milk chocolate: Use a good quality milk chocolate here for the best flavor and texture. I’d skip cooking chocolate because it doesn’t set the same way. Chocolate chips can also be a bit stubborn to melt, but honestly, I’ve used them plenty of times when that’s all I had and they still work fine.
- Mars bars: These add caramel sweetness and extra chewiness to the rocky road. Make sure to chop them into small pieces so they melt easier.
- Butter: Use real block butter (I like Kerrygold) not margarine or baking spread. Butter gives the rocky road a smooth, luxurious texture and helps prevent the chocolate from becoming too hard when set.
- Golden syrup: This is essential for keeping the rocky road soft and sliceable. Without it, the chocolate base becomes rock-solid and difficult to cut. Golden syrup adds sweetness and ensures a perfect texture.
- Rich tea biscuits: These biscuits have a light, crisp texture that works well against the richness of the chocolate. I don’t recommend swapping them for digestive biscuits because you’ll lose that lovely crunch. Rich tea biscuits are very plain and dry, which is exactly why they work in this recipe. If you’re in the U.S., you might spot them on amazon, in the international aisle of larger supermarkets or in British import stores. If you can’t find them, a simple, plain tea biscuit is your best alternative.
- Maltesers: The star ingredient! Their light, crunchy, malty centers work perfect in this rocky road. Don't substitute with anything else.
- Mini marshmallows: Check the gelatin source if you're vegetarian.
Ingredient Substitutions
To be completely honest with you, I don't recommend making substitutions to this recipe. I've experimented with different mix-ins, biscuit brands and variations over the years, and this combination is what works best and gets the most compliments from people. I have done all the recipe testing and tweaking for you!
The only ingredient substitute I'd recommend you can try is using a different chocolate. You can use a mix of milk and dark chocolate if you prefer, or swap in white chocolate for part of the milk chocolate. Just keep the total chocolate weight the same.
Ingredient swaps for different dietary needs:
- Vegetarian: Most marshmallows contain gelatin from beef or pork, but vegetarian options are available and should work just as well.
- Lower sugar version: If you're looking for something less indulgent, I'd actually recommend checking out my Healthy Rocky Road recipe instead. Trying to reduce the sugar in this particular recipe will significantly change the texture and taste—it's designed to be a proper treat, so it's best enjoyed as is.
The reality is, this recipe works because of these specific ingredients in these specific amounts. If you start swapping things out, you'll end up with something different (and probably not as good). So my advice? Make it exactly as written, enjoy it thoroughly, and save the experimenting for another day!
Equipment
8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking tin: This is what I use and it gives you the perfect thickness for rocky road. However, you can use different sized pans, In the past I have used a standard loaf pan. This creates nice thick slices, which I then sliced into fingers. You could also use a 9×9 inch tin for slightly thinner rocky road. Because of the nature of this recipe, you can use whatever sized pan you have and cut the rocky road however you like. I just find 8×8 inch the most universal.
Parchment paper: Line your tin with parchment paper and leave some overhang on the sides like a sling, this makes it so much easier to lift the set rocky road out of the tin.
Large saucepan or heatproof bowl: For melting the chocolate mixture. If using a double boiler method, you'll need a saucepan with simmering water and a heatproof bowl that sits on top.
Large mixing bowl: To combine all your mix-ins before adding the melted chocolate.
How To Make This Maltesers Rocky Road Recipe
Below are the simple steps for how to make this recipe with visuals I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
Step 1: Chop the Mars bars into small pieces and add them to a large saucepan along with the chocolate, butter, and golden syrup. Melt everything together over a low heat, stirring continuously. Beat the mixture well once melted until it's completely smooth and glossy.
Step 2: Leave the chocolate mixture to cool for about 1 minute, no longer, as it will start to harden quickly.
Step 3: Add the broken up rich tea biscuits, Maltesers and mini marshmallows to a mixing bowl. Pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture over everything and fold together until all the ingredients are well coated in chocolate.
Step 4: Transfer the mixture to your lined 8×8 inch tin. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly and press down firmly so everything sticks together.
Step 5: Place the tin in the fridge and allow it to set for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you have time. You can also pop it in the freezer for 2 hours if you're in a rush.
Step 6: Once set, remove the rocky road from the tin using the parchment paper overhang. Use a large, sharp knife to cut into squares. For the cleanest cuts, dip your knife in a mug of hot water, dry it off, and then slice. Clean the knife between each cut for neat edges.
Step 7 (Optional): Drizzle with melted chocolate or dust lightly with icing sugar before serving.
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Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
Don't let the chocolate mixture cool for too long. If it sits for more than a minute or two, it will start to solidify and become difficult to mix with the other ingredients. Work quickly once everything is melted. However don't work too fast, if the mixture is too hot the marshmallows will melt into the rocky road.
Avoid using chocolate chips. They contain stabilizers that prevent them from melting smoothly, which can make your rocky road grainy. If they are the only thing you have on hand, they can still work but try to use bar chocolate that's designed for eating, not baking chips or baking chocolate.
Press the mixture down firmly in the tin. This helps everything stick together properly and prevents your rocky road from crumbling when you cut it.
Use parchment paper, not greaseproof paper. Parchment paper is non-stick and makes it much easier to remove the rocky road from the tin. Leave some overhang on the sides like a sling for easy lifting.
Cut small pieces. This recipe is very rich, so I recommend slicing it into smaller squares. You can always go back for seconds!
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy this rocky road with Maltesers:
As a party dessert: Cut into small squares and arrange on a platter alongside other sweet treats like my Mars Bar Crispy Cakes or my 1-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake.
As an afternoon treat with tea or coffee: Enjoy a small square with your afternoon cuppa for a sweet pick-me-up.
Wrapped as gifts: Cut into squares, wrap in cellophane, and tie with a ribbon. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or teacher gifts.
As a ninja creami mix-in: I added it to my high protein ninja creami recipe recently and it was incredible!!!
Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The cooler temperature keeps the rocky road firm and prevents the Maltesers from going soft.
Freezer: You can freeze rocky road for up to 3 months. Wrap individual pieces in parchment paper, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before eating.
Room temperature: Rocky road can be kept at room temperature for 4-5 days in a cool place, but it will be much softer and messier to eat. I prefer storing it in the fridge.
FAQ
Yes, just keep the total chocolate weight at 600 grams. Dark chocolate will give a richer, more intense flavor.
This usually happens if water gets into the chocolate. Make sure all your equipment is completely dry, and be careful when melting. If it does seize, try adding a tablespoon of full-fat milk and beating vigorously.
Golden syrup is really important for the texture. Without it, the rocky road becomes rock-hard and difficult to slice. If you absolutely can't find golden syrup, you could try honey, but the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
This can happen if the chocolate mixture was too hot when you added the marshmallows and Maltesers, causing them to melt too much. Next time, let it cool for a full minute before mixing. Also, make sure you're refrigerating it for the full 4 hours.
More Sweet Recipes You Will Love
If you have a sweet tooth, try these next.
- Mars Bar Crispy Cake
- Sheet Pan Strawberry Layer Cake
- 1-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
- Traditional Apple Pie
- Baileys Cheesecake
And if you want a healthier sweet treat try these:
Want to Learn About Nutrition?
Here are some nutrition education articles from a dietitian! And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out - I'm here to help.
📖 Recipe
Ultimate Rocky Road Recipe
Equipment
- 8x8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking tin lined with parchment paper
- Large saucepan or heatproof bowl (for melting)
Ingredients
- 4 full size mars bars (58g per bar) chopped into small pieces
- 600 g plain milk chocolate broken into pieces
- 150 g butter
- 4 tablespoon golden syrup 60 mls
- 250 g biscuits (rich tea) broken up into small pieces
- 100 g mini marshmallows
- 80 g maltesers
Optional toppings
- 50 g melted white chocolate for drizzling on top
- Icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare your tin: Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking tin with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to act as handles for easy removal later.
- Prepare the mix-ins: Add the broken rich tea biscuits, mini marshmallows and Maltesers into a large mixing bowl.250 g biscuits (rich tea) broken up into small pieces, 100 g mini marshmallows, 80 g maltesers
- Melt the chocolate base: Chop the Mars bars into small pieces and add them to a large saucepan along with the milk chocolate, butter, and golden syrup. Place over a low heat and melt slowly, stirring continuously. Once everything has melted, beat the mixture well until it's completely smooth and glossy.4 full size mars bars (58g per bar), 600 g plain milk chocolate, 150 g butter, 4 tablespoon golden syrup
- Cool slightly: Remove from the heat and let the chocolate mixture cool for approximately 1 minute. Don't let it cool for longer than this, as it will begin to harden quickly and become difficult to work with.
- Combine everything: Pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture over the biscuits, marshmallows, and Maltesers. Fold everything together gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are well coated in chocolate.
- Press into tin: Transfer the mixture to your prepared tin. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly and press down firmly so everything sticks together and there are no air pockets.
- Set in the fridge: Place the tin in the fridge and allow to set for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Alternatively, you can place it in the freezer for 2 hours if you're short on time.
- Slice and serve: Remove the rocky road from the fridge and use the parchment paper to lift it out of the tin. Place on a cutting board. For clean cuts, dip a large sharp knife in hot water, dry it thoroughly, then slice. Clean the knife between each cut for neat edges.
- Optional finishing touches: Drizzle with melted chocolate or dust lightly with icing sugar before serving if desired.Icing sugar, 50 g melted white chocolate
Video
Notes
- Fridge: Up to 2 weeks in an airtight container
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Wrap individual pieces in parchment paper first.
- Room temperature: 4-5 days in a cool place, but the texture will be softer
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