Loaded Rocky Road Holiday Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Tooth Fix

These decadent cookies are packed with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, and festive holiday sprinkles, making them a delightful treat for Hanukkah, Christmas, or any winter celebration. The dough comes together easily and bakes into chewy cookies with gooey centers and crisp edges. Customize with your favorite nuts or extra chocolate, and serve with hot cocoa or coffee for an inviting dessert. Each batch yields 24 soft cookies that are easy to prepare and bursting with flavors and textures perfect for holiday sharing.

Updated on Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:12:00 GMT
Delicious Loaded Rocky Road Hanukkah Christmas Cookies topped with colorful festive sprinkles. Save
Delicious Loaded Rocky Road Hanukkah Christmas Cookies topped with colorful festive sprinkles. | tastyeffect.com

Decadent, chewy cookies packed with chocolate, marshmallows, nuts, and festive sprinkles are perfect for celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, or any winter holiday. These festive treats are sure to be the highlight of your dessert table.

I first made these loaded Rocky Road cookies for my annual holiday party. They were a hit with both kids and adults&—everyone loved the bursts of gooey marshmallow and crunchy nuts.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/2 cup (50 g)
  • Baking soda: 1 tsp
  • Fine sea salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Unsalted butter, softened: 1 cup (225 g)
  • Light brown sugar, packed: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Vanilla extract: 1 1/2 tsp
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: 1 1/2 cups (270 g)
  • Mini marshmallows: 1 1/4 cups (60 g)
  • Walnuts or pecans, chopped: 1 cup (120 g)
  • Festive holiday sprinkles (blue & white for Hanukkah, red & green for Christmas): 1/2 cup (100 g)

Instructions

Prep Oven and Pans:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
Combine Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in Mix-ins:
Fold in chocolate chips, nuts, and 3/4 cup mini marshmallows.
Shape Cookies:
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Decorate:
Gently press a few extra marshmallows and festive sprinkles onto the tops of each cookie.
Bake:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
Cool:
Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save
| tastyeffect.com

Baking these cookies together has become a beloved winter tradition in our family. My kids get so excited to decorate each cookie with colorful sprinkles.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, measuring cups and spoons, rubber spatula, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, dairy (butter), tree nuts (if using), soy (in chocolate chips). Check ingredient labels for possible traces of peanuts or other allergens.

Nutritional Information (per cookie)

Calories: 180, Total Fat: 9 g, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 2 g

Chewy Loaded Rocky Road Hanukkah Christmas Cookies filled with chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows. Save
Chewy Loaded Rocky Road Hanukkah Christmas Cookies filled with chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows. | tastyeffect.com

Once cooled, serve these cookies with mugs of cocoa for a sweet holiday treat. They are sure to brighten any winter day and make memories with family and friends.

Recipe FAQ

What makes these cookies suitable for holidays?

Festive sprinkles and a mix of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts create a seasonal look and taste ideal for celebrations.

Can I omit nuts for allergies?

Yes, simply leave out nuts and add extra chocolate chips or substitute dried fruit for a nut-free option.

How should these cookies be stored?

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness.

Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Absolutely—customize with colors for Hanukkah, Christmas, or any event to suit your celebration.

What if I don’t have an electric mixer?

A sturdy whisk and some arm strength work well for creaming butter and sugars in place of a mixer.

Are these cookies vegetarian?

Yes, all ingredients listed are vegetarian, making the cookies suitable for most diets except vegan or nut-free.

Loaded Rocky Road Holiday Cookies

Soft cookies filled with chocolate, nuts, marshmallows, and holiday sprinkles for festive gatherings.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
12 min
Complete duration
32 min
Created by Laura Bennett


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 24 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 2 large eggs
05 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-ins

01 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
02 1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows
03 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
04 1/2 cup festive holiday sprinkles (blue and white for Hanukkah, red and green for Christmas)

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Baking Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Dry Components: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute.

Phase 03

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until mixture is pale and fluffy.

Phase 04

Add Eggs and Flavoring: Incorporate eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and homogenous.

Phase 05

Integrate Dry Mixture: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to the wet base, stirring just until a cohesive dough forms.

Phase 06

Incorporate Mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and 3/4 cup mini marshmallows until evenly distributed.

Phase 07

Portion Cookie Dough: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing at least 2 inches apart.

Phase 08

Top and Decorate: Gently press remaining marshmallows and festive sprinkles onto each dough mound.

Phase 09

Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set and centers retain a soft texture.

Phase 10

Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, dairy (butter), tree nuts (if using), soy (chocolate chips).
  • May contain traces of peanuts or other allergens depending on ingredient brands; always check labels.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 180
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Proteins: 2 g