Have you ever had a day that just called for something sweet and indulgent? Picture this: the scent of warm, freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen, coaxing you closer to the countertop, where delightful treats await. That’s exactly how I felt when I first whipped up Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies. Inspired by the legendary bakery, these cookies are a chocolate lover’s fantasy, bursting with gooey marshmallows and crunchy cashews.

When I discovered this recipe during a cozy afternoon of baking, I knew I had stumbled upon something extraordinary. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dessert that rivals any bakery treat—perfect for elevating your next family gathering or simply satisfying your own cravings. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a beginner looking to impress, these easy-to-make cookies promise to bring joy to every bite. So, let’s dive into this delicious adventure and bring a little magic to your kitchen!

Why are Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies a must-try?

Irresistible Flavors: The decadent blend of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts creates a satisfying explosion of taste in every bite.

Quick to Make: In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a batch of these chunky delights, perfect for unexpected guests or late-night cravings.

Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for a family gathering or a cozy night in, these cookies are a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Versatile Ingredients: Feel free to swap out cashews for your favorite nuts or mix in other candies for a personalized twist—endless possibilities await!

Minimal Effort: You don’t need to be a pastry chef to create these bakery-style cookies; just follow the simple steps, and you’ll impress everyone, including yourself!

For more easy dessert ideas, check out our section on simple cookie recipes.

Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

Cold Butter – Cut into cubes for easy creaming and a smooth texture.
Brown Sugar – Adds richness and moisture, giving depth to the flavor.
Sugar – Balances the sweetness and enhances the cookie’s chewy texture.
Large Eggs – Essential for binding the ingredients and giving structure.
Vanilla Extract – Infuses a warm, aromatic quality that complements the chocolate.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – The star ingredient for that rich, chocolatey goodness in these Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies.
Cake Flour – Helps create a tender crumb, making these cookies soft and decadent.
All-Purpose Flour – Provides the structure needed for a perfect balance in texture.
Cornstarch – Adds to the softness, ensuring your cookies melt in your mouth.
Baking Soda – Works as a leavening agent, helping cookies rise and maintaining a chewy interior.
Salt – Enhances all the flavors, balancing out the sweetness.

For the Mix-Ins

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Melty and rich, they elevate every cookie bite to heavenly!
Mini Marshmallows – Provide that gooey, irresistible touch every rocky road cookie deserves.
Cashews – Roughly chopped for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that completes the ensemble.

Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins and customize them to suit your taste!

How to Make Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies

Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C), ensuring it’s nice and hot to achieve that perfect cookie texture.
Cream together the cold butter, brown sugar, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat for at least 4 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy, creating a fluffy base for your cookies.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl, mixing for 1 minute longer. This will enhance moisture and flavor, contributing to that delightful taste.
Fold in the cocoa powder, cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until just combined. The dough should be rich and thick—perfect for those chunky cookies!
Mix in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and cashews until everything is harmoniously distributed. You want every bite to be packed with deliciousness!
Shape the dough into 5 to 6-ounce large balls, placing them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Give them room to spread while baking.
Optional: Before baking, place a few extra chocolate chips and mini marshmallows on top of each cookie and lightly press them in for a beautiful presentation.
Bake for 9-11 minutes. If the marshmallows melt at the edges, use a small spatula to gently press them toward the center immediately after coming out of the oven to maintain that perfect shape.
Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to set before transferring to a wire rack. This resting time helps achieve that chewy texture inside.

Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra decadent touch!

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.

Expert Tips for Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies

Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter is cold for a firmer texture. This helps prevent spreading while baking, resulting in thick, chewy Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies.
Don’t Overmix Dough: Mix only until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Remember, you want that melt-in-your-mouth softness!
Mind Your Oven Temp: Baking at 410°F creates a beautifully browned exterior while keeping the inside gooey. An oven thermometer can ensure accuracy.
Watch the Marshmallows: If marshmallows start to melt too much at the edges, press them towards the center right after baking. This keeps your cookies looking perfect.
Space Cookies Apart: Place cookie balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. They will spread, and separating them helps avoid a cookie monster mash-up!
Savor the Wait: Letting cookies rest for 15 minutes after baking allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set properly, ensuring a delightful experience in every bite.

How to Store and Freeze Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain their softness and gooey texture.

Fridge: If you want to keep them longer, place the cookies in the fridge for up to 1 week. Don’t forget to seal them tightly to prevent drying out.

Freezer: For future indulgence, freeze cookies individually wrapped in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying!

Reheating: If you crave a warm cookie, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Enjoy the gooey marshmallow goodness just like fresh-baked Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies!

Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Variations

Feel free to let your creativity shine by customizing these cookies with delightful tweaks and alternatives!

Nut-Free: Substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch without the nuts.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour and cake flour for an equally scrumptious batch.
Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine and use dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan twist.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the dough for a surprising, spicy flavor that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Choco-Lover’s Dream: Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips or even chocolate chunks for an extra indulgent treat.
Fruit Fusion: Mix in diced dried cherries or cranberries for a fruity contrast that brightens every bite, adding both sweetness and tartness.
Double Marshmallow: For extra gooeyness, increase mini marshmallow amounts to 3 cups, ensuring that irresistible melty goodness is at the core of each cookie!
Cookie Sandwich: Turn these cookies into mega treats by adding a layer of vanilla or chocolate frosting in between two cookies for an indulgent cookie sandwich experience.

Each variation will bring a unique twist to the classic, ensuring your baking adventure is as fun as it is delicious!

Make Ahead Options

These Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance by mixing all the ingredients, rolling them into large balls, and placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Just cover the sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate to maintain freshness. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them in the oven straight from the fridge; no need to thaw! They’ll be just as delicious, with that same tender and chewy texture. This makes them ideal for busy weeknights or unexpected guests—your future self will thank you for this time-saving strategy!

What to Serve with Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies?

Indulging in these cookies means you’re on the verge of creating a memorable dessert experience that will delight everyone!

Chilled Milk: The classic pairing that never disappoints, a glass of cold milk complements the rich chocolate and gooey marshmallows perfectly, balancing sweetness with a refreshing touch.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve these cookies warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperature and texture. As the ice cream melts onto the cookies, you’ll experience pure bliss.
Coffee: Dark, fragrant coffee pairs beautifully with chocolate cookies, enhancing their flavors and providing a cozy finish to your dessert moment. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for any time of the day!
Chocolate Sauce: Drizzling a bit of warm chocolate sauce over these cookies elevates the indulgence factor. It adds a luscious layer of richness that enhances every bite.
Fresh Berries: Juicy, tart berries like raspberries or strawberries add a refreshing note that cuts through the sweetness. Their brightness makes for a fantastic contrast to the cookies’ rich flavors.
Nutty Caramel Dip: A warm caramel sauce infused with nuts is a delightful dip for these cookies. The sweet, nutty flavors make each bite an extraordinary treat!
Hot Chocolate: For those chilly evenings, a cup of rich, homemade hot chocolate is the perfect drink to enjoy alongside your cookies, making for a comforting dessert experience.
S’mores Dip: A melty mix of chocolate and marshmallows with graham crackers offers a playful twist that complements the rocky road theme beautifully, turning dessert into more fun!

Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Recipe FAQs

How do I choose ripe ingredients for these cookies?
Absolutely! For the best results, use butter that is cold but not frozen, as this helps create a chewy texture. When selecting eggs, go for large ones that are fresh, as they’ll bind the dough beautifully. Pay attention to the marshmallows too: opt for mini ones that are soft and puffy, ensuring a delightful gooeyness when baked.

What’s the best way to store Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies?
To keep your cookies soft and scrumptious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy them longer, transfer them to the fridge, where they can last up to 1 week. Just remember to seal them tightly to avoid any unwanted drying!

Can I freeze Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies?
Yes, indeed! To freeze your cookies, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag, ensuring all air is removed. They can be stored this way for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply thaw them at room temperature for a bit, or zap them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that fresh-baked feel!

What should I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
Very good question! If you find that your cookies spread excessively, check that your butter was indeed cold. Additionally, make sure the dough was not overmixed, as excess gluten can lead to flatter cookies. If they do turn out a bit too flat, you can always refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes before baking to help them retain their shape.

Are these cookies safe for everyone, including pets and people with allergies?
Great concern! These Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies contain common allergens like gluten (in both cake and all-purpose flour), eggs, dairy (in the butter), and nuts (cashews). If you’re baking for someone with allergies, consider making substitutions such as using gluten-free flour or nut-free butters. As for pets, particularly dogs, chocolate is toxic. Always keep these cookies safely away from your furry friends!

How can I achieve the optimal chewy texture in my cookies?
To achieve that coveted chewy texture, it’s essential to measure your ingredients accurately. Additionally, use cold butter instead of room temperature, and avoid overmixing the dough. Follow the resting time of 15 minutes post-baking; this not only helps the cookies set but also intensifies all the flavors, resulting in a decadent experience with every bite!