Easy Christmas Rocky Road (Nigella Lawson's Recipe)
Christmas is a time for indulgence, and what's more indulgent than a tray of homemade rocky road? This recipe, inspired by the ever-reliable Nigella Lawson, is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and yielding maximum deliciousness. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying yourself, this festive treat is guaranteed to be a Christmas crowd-pleaser.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
This Easy Christmas Rocky Road recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Simplicity: Forget complicated techniques and precise measurements. This recipe is straightforward and perfect for even the most novice bakers.
- Adaptability: Feel free to personalize it! Add your favorite festive ingredients like dried cranberries, orange zest, or chopped nuts to make it your own.
- Deliciousness: The combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and biscuits creates a truly irresistible treat.
- Speed: This rocky road comes together quickly, making it ideal for last-minute Christmas baking.
Ingredients You'll Need
To make this delightful dessert, gather the following ingredients:
- 200g good-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
- 100g milk chocolate
- 100g butter
- 200g marshmallows (mini marshmallows work best)
- 100g digestive biscuits, roughly broken
- 50g pretzels, roughly broken (optional, for added crunch)
- 50g dried cranberries or cherries (optional, for festive flavor)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Festive Treat
Follow these simple steps to create your Easy Christmas Rocky Road:
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Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to a very low temperature (around 140°F/60°C). Line a square baking tin (approximately 20cm x 20cm) with baking parchment, leaving an overhang on the sides to help with lifting the set rocky road later. Roughly break the digestive biscuits and pretzels.
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Melt the Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (a double boiler), gently melt the dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and butter together, stirring occasionally until smooth and glossy. Ensure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.
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Combine the Ingredients: Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the marshmallows, biscuits, pretzels (if using), and dried cranberries or cherries (if using). Mix well until everything is evenly coated in the chocolate mixture.
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Press and Set: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and press down firmly and evenly to create a compact layer.
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Chill and Cut: Place the tin in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the rocky road is completely set. Once set, lift the rocky road out of the tin using the baking parchment overhang and cut it into squares.
Tips for Success
- Use good-quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the rocky road will taste.
- Don't overheat the chocolate: Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize, making it grainy.
- Press firmly: Pressing the mixture firmly ensures a compact and well-structured rocky road.
- Get creative with additions: Experiment with different nuts, dried fruits, or even sprinkles to personalize your rocky road.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Christmas Rocky Road is perfect for:
- Gifting: Package individual squares in cellophane bags or small boxes for thoughtful Christmas gifts.
- Sharing: Serve it at your Christmas gatherings as a delicious and festive treat.
- Enjoying yourself: There's no shame in indulging in a square (or two!) for yourself.
This recipe is a guaranteed hit, blending simplicity with delicious festive flavours. Enjoy making and sharing this Easy Christmas Rocky Road! Happy Holidays!