If you’re looking for a festive treat that feels both indulgent and fun, I’m so excited to share this White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe with you! It’s one of those recipes that instantly brings holiday cheer, combining sweet, crunchy, and chewy textures all wrapped up in creamy white chocolate. When I first made this, my family went crazy for how perfectly it captures the spirit of Christmas in every bite—plus, it’s ridiculously easy to put together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festively Flavored: The combination of pistachios, glacé cherries, and coconut gives it that classic Christmas vibe, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
- No Baking Required: This treat comes together in a snap, so you can have homemade goodness without heating up your oven.
- Great for Gifting: It cuts beautifully for gift boxes, and everyone appreciates a handmade treat during the holidays.
- Customizable: Whether you swap add-ins or adjust sweetness, it’s super flexible to what you love or have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe is in its simplicity—and how every ingredient plays a role in taste and texture. I like using good-quality white chocolate melts because they melt smoother and taste creamier, but chopped white chocolate works too. Toasted pistachios add a lovely crunch without overpowering the flavor, and the combo of marshmallows and coconut brings that perfect chewy softness.

- White chocolate melts/discs or chips: Choose high-quality ones for a smooth, creamy melt that’s easy to work with.
- Grapeseed oil or neutral oil: This keeps the melted chocolate silky and helps with cutting later on.
- Marshmallows: Regular size, halved to spread the chewy goodness evenly through the treat.
- Pistachios: Unsalted and toasted, these bring toastiness and festive green pops of color.
- Glacé cherries: They make this Christmasy with their bright red charm and sweet tang.
- Desiccated coconut: Unsweetened, for that subtle tropical flavor and rustic texture contrast.
Variations
I love that this White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe is like a blank canvas for whatever festive flavors or textures you want to bring in. I often switch things up depending on what my family’s craving or what I find at the market. Feel free to make it your own!
- Dried Fruits: I’ve tried swapping glacé cherries for dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots, and they add a different but equally delicious tang.
- Nut Swaps: Sometimes I swap pistachios for toasted almonds or walnuts for variety and a slightly different texture.
- Biscuits: Adding crushed biscuits like shortbread makes it crunchier—my kids love this twist.
- Dietary Adjustments: Going dairy-free? Use vegan white chocolate and coconut oil instead of grapeseed oil for a cruelty-free treat.
How to Make White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Toppings
First, grab a 20cm (8-inch) square pan and give it a light butter grease. Then line it with baking paper, making sure you leave an overhang on the sides—it makes lifting the finished rocky road out so much easier. I always set aside a few of the nicest glacé cherries to top at the end and chop about a tablespoon of pistachios finely. This little prep step is a game changer for presentation.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Like a Pro
Place your white chocolate and grapeseed oil in a heatproof bowl. Use the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well in between, until it’s glossy and smooth. The oil helps give the chocolate a meltier texture, making it coat everything more evenly and cut cleaner once set. Just be careful not to overheat—white chocolate burns quickly.
Step 3: Stir in Your Festive Goodies
Once the chocolate is smooth, fold in your marshmallows, pistachios, glacé cherries, and desiccated coconut. Pour everything into your prepared pan, then spread it out evenly. I like to bang and shake the pan gently on the counter to settle everything—it’s oddly satisfying and helps the mixture compress nicely.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches and Chill
Now press those reserved cherries on top for that festive pop of red and sprinkle over the chopped pistachios for a little color and crunch. Pop the pan into the fridge for at least 3 hours—or until completely firm. When it’s set, use the paper edges to lift it out and cut into chunks. I usually cut 5 lines across and then chunk it up—big pieces for gift boxes, smaller bites for snacking!
Pro Tips for Making White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe
- Use Neutral Oil: I discovered grapeseed oil keeps the chocolate silky without altering flavor, but you can also use other neutral oils like vegetable or light olive oil.
- Don’t Skip Toasting Nuts: Toasting pistachios brings out their nutty aroma and crunch—totally worth the extra minute in the oven or on a skillet.
- Cutting Warm Rocky Road: Wait until the rocky road is fully chilled before cutting, or it’ll be too soft and sticky. The paper lining helps lift it out cleanly.
- Mix Add-Ins Evenly: Stir add-ins gently but thoroughly so every bite has a great balance of flavors and textures.
How to Serve White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe

Garnishes
I usually garnish with extra crisp pistachios and a few whole glacé cherries on top for that classic Christmas look. The red and green contrast beautifully with the creamy white chocolate. Sometimes I dust on a little edible gold shimmer for holiday parties—it’s such a fun, fancy touch that guests notice!
Side Dishes
This treat pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai or hot cocoa. I also love serving it alongside other holiday cookies and a platter of fresh fruit for a nice balance of richness and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I like wrapping the rocky road chunks in wax paper tied with twine or placing them in festive cookie tins. Another fun idea is arranging the chunks on a rustic wooden board alongside sprigs of pine and cranberries—it makes for a stunning holiday dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge—it stays fresh and firm for about a week. Just make sure it’s sealed well so it doesn’t pick up other fridge odors. I’ve found that keeping the container in the coldest part of the fridge helps maintain that perfect snap.
Freezing
Freezing this treat works great if you want to prep ahead of time or save some for later. I wrap individual chunks tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When frozen, they keep well for up to 2 months without losing texture or flavor.
Reheating
No need to reheat this rocky road—the cool firmness is part of the magic, and it’s best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If it’s too hard from the fridge or freezer, just let it sit out for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before indulging.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate for this rocky road?
Absolutely! Though this recipe is designed to highlight the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, you can swap in milk or dark chocolate melts instead. Just keep in mind that darker chocolates are less sweet, so you may want to adjust the marshmallow or cherry quantities accordingly for balanced flavor.
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Why do I add oil when melting the chocolate?
The oil helps keep the melted white chocolate smooth and glossy, making it easier to mix with the add-ins. It also makes the set rocky road less brittle and easier to cut without cracking or crumbling.
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Can I make this rocky road vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Use a quality vegan white chocolate alternative and swap grapeseed oil with coconut oil if you prefer. Just make sure your marshmallows are vegan-friendly, or try mini vegan marshmallows available at specialty stores.
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How long does the rocky road keep fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this treat will stay fresh and tasty for about 7 days. For longer storage, freezing works well up to 2 months.
Final Thoughts
This White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe holds a special place in my holiday kitchen because it’s simple but so joyful. Whether you’re making it to share at a party, gift to friends, or keep all to yourself (no judgment here!), it’s a recipe that brings out smiles and sweet memories. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do—go ahead, treat yourself this festive season!
Print
White Chocolate Rocky Road Christmas Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Australian
Description
This festive White Christmas Rocky Road is a delightful no-bake treat made with creamy white chocolate, crunchy pistachios, chewy marshmallows, sweet glacé cherries, and shredded coconut. It’s perfect for holiday gifting or indulging in a colorful, flavorful dessert that captures the spirit of Christmas.
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture
- 500g / 1 lb white chocolate melts/discs (chips or block chopped)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil or other neutral flavoured oil
Add-ins
- 2 1/2 cups tightly packed regular size marshmallows, most cut in half
- 1 cup unsalted toasted pistachios
- 1 cup glacé cherries
- 1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut (or finely shredded, not flakes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 20cm/8″ square pan with butter and line it with baking paper, allowing for an overhang to easily lift the rocky road out later.
- Reserve Toppings: Set aside about 8 of the nicest glacé cherries. Finely chop 1 tablespoon of pistachios for topping.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the white chocolate and grapeseed oil in a heatproof bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Combine Add-ins: Stir the marshmallows, pistachios, glacé cherries, and desiccated coconut into the melted chocolate until evenly distributed.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bang and shake the pan assertively to settle the mixture and create an even surface.
- Top with Reserved Ingredients: Decorate the top with the reserved glacé cherries and sprinkle the chopped pistachios over them.
- Set the Rocky Road: Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm. Use the paper overhang to lift the rocky road out of the pan, then cut into desired-sized chunks for serving or gifting.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for Christmas with its festive colors and flavors; the combination of glacé cherries and coconut is particularly delightful.
- Feel free to substitute the add-ins with dried fruits, biscuits, other nuts, raspberries, or Turkish delight for variety.
- The ratio to follow is approximately 4 1/2 cups of add-ins for every 500g/1 lb of chocolate.
- Don’t skip the addition of oil; it makes the chocolate meltier and easier to coat everything, as well as easier to cut once set.
- This recipe is suitable for gifting or enjoying yourself during the holidays.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 31 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg


