This Ultimate Rocky Road Cake is a special homage to my mom's favorite ice cream flavor, combined with our all-time favorite frosting. It turned out to be the highlight of our Super Bowl party last weekend, pleasing every palate that had the pleasure of tasting it. By tweaking a simple boxed chocolate cake mix and adding some personal touches, this recipe creates a decadent dessert that's sure to be a hit for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box of your favorite chocolate cake mix
- Replace water with an equal amount of milk (according to box instructions)
- 3 large eggs (as the cake mix instructions recommend)
- Vegetable oil (as per the cake mix instructions)
- 1 box of instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups of milk (for the pudding)
- 1-2 cups of marshmallows (optional)
Frosting:
- ½ cup margarine
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup chopped pecans (though walnuts are also great, based on your preference)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven as per the chocolate cake mix box's instructions. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Cake Mix
In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Here's the twist: use milk instead of water for a richer cake. Mix until smooth.
3. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the box instructions or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Pudding Layer
While the cake bakes, whisk together the pudding mix with 2 cups of milk. Important: Don't let the pudding mixture thicken very much and avoid over-stirring. It should be just slightly thickened to pour easily over the cake.
5. Rocky Road Magic
After baking, let the cake cool for 5 minutes. Poke holes throughout the cake and pour the lightly thickened pudding over it, ensuring it fills the holes to add moisture and chocolate flavor throughout.
6. Marshmallow Layer
If you're a marshmallow fan, now's the time to sprinkle them on top and return the cake to the oven for 3-4 minutes, until they're just melted and slightly golden.
7. Frosting
Bring the margarine, milk, and cocoa powder to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add in the chopped pecans (or walnuts), powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat well until combined and pour immediately over the warm, marshmallow-topped cake.
8. Cooling
Let the cake cool until the frosting sets. For the best results, refrigerate the cake until cold. This cake is best served chilled, offering a deliciously moist texture with a delightful nutty crunch.
Made for a Super Bowl party, this cake was a resounding success. The rich chocolate layers, combined with the nutty, gooey frosting and the optional marshmallow topping, made this Rocky Road Cake a new favorite. It's a perfect blend of my family's cherished flavors, brought together in a dessert that celebrates both tradition and indulgence.
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