Welcome to a World of Delicious Indulgence!

Hello, baking enthusiasts and dessert lovers! I’m Peabody, and I run the website Culinary Concoctions by Peabody. If you know me, you know my mantra: “Gaining Weight, One Pastry at a Time.” My blog is often described as the work of an “evil genius,” primarily because I take already amazing desserts and find ways to make them even more outrageously delicious (and perhaps a little worse for you, in the best possible way!).

I live north of Seattle, WA, sharing my life with my best friend (and his wonderful kids every other weekend and every Wednesday), my spirited cocker spaniel, and my adorable fuzzy bunny. When I’m not in the kitchen conjuring up new sweet creations, you can usually find me on the ice, captaining my men’s recreational ice hockey team (yes, it’s a co-ed league, and we have two other fantastic women on the team!). Between skating and baking, my days are certainly full of zest.

Beyond my passion for hockey and all things baked, I’m known for my intense love of Mascarpone Cheese, crispy bacon, and, of course, Funfetti! My affection for Funfetti is so profound that even Ms. How Sweet It Is and I find ourselves in friendly competition over who loves it more. You might also know me for my sometimes very outspoken blog posts. I consider myself a realist with a healthy side of optimism, firmly believing that life truly is what you make of it. This philosophy extends into my kitchen, where every dish is an opportunity to add a little extra joy and a lot of extra flavor.

Baking Through Life’s Bumps with Funfetti Marshmallows

Let’s talk about these brownies for a moment. These aren’t just any ordinary rocky road brownies; they are Rocky Road Brownies with homemade Funfetti Marshmallows. Why Funfetti marshmallows, you ask? Because when life throws you a few bumps, you should find a way to enjoy those too! It’s all about perspective. If you choose to play the victim, you become one. But if you see it as just a temporary bump in the road and believe you can overcome it, you absolutely will.

When I used to teach, a sign above my desk read: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” These words still resonate deeply with me today and guide my approach to everything, including my baking. These brownies, with their delightful “bumps” of marshmallows and a shower of colorful sprinkles, perfectly embody that spirit of finding joy and brightness even in the unexpected.

While these brownies are built on a classic, fudgy base, the Funfetti marshmallows truly elevate them to another level. If you’re not keen on Funfetti or prefer not to make your own marshmallows, feel free to use regular mini marshmallows and simply add extra sprinkles for good measure. But whatever you do, don’t skip the sprinkles! They instantly make any food more fun, and who couldn’t use a little more fun in their life?

Before we dive into the recipe, I want to extend a huge congratulations to Brandy on her engagement! May your journey be filled with countless sprinkles and many wonderful celebrations to come!

Funfetti Rocky Road Brownies Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped finely
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (optional, for classic rocky road crunch)
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• About 30 mini marshmallows or chopped Funfetti Marshmallows (find a recipe for Funfetti Marshmallows for extra fun!)
• Extra sprinkles, if not using Funfetti marshmallows (or for an extra festive touch!)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the unsweetened chocolate and unsalted butter together over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and fully combined. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate. Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat.
3. Stir the granulated sugar into the chocolate mixture until well incorporated. Then, whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully blended before adding the next. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract, giving the brownies their wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.
4. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; overmixing can lead to tougher brownies.
5. Scrape the rich brownie batter into your prepared 8-inch pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the top evenly. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and semisweet chocolate chips over the top of the batter.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Remember, slightly underbaked brownies are usually fudgier and more delicious!
7. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, immediately press the marshmallows onto the hot surface. The residual heat will soften and slightly melt them, creating that signature gooey rocky road layer. You can add as many or as few marshmallows as you desire.
8. Allow the brownies to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This ensures they set properly and makes for cleaner cuts. These brownies are known for their dense, almost flourless cake-like texture.

Additional Info

Pro Tips for the Perfect Funfetti Rocky Road Brownies

• Don’t Overbake: The key to fudgy brownies is to avoid overbaking. Keep an eye on them; they should still be slightly gooey in the center when removed from the oven. They will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
• Quality Ingredients: Using good quality unsweetened chocolate and vanilla extract can truly elevate the flavor of your brownies. It makes a noticeable difference!
• Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into the brownies too soon! Allowing them to cool completely, preferably for several hours or even overnight, will give them that dense, fudgy texture and make them much easier to slice cleanly.
• Pan Preparation: Lining your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides, creates “handles” that make lifting the cooled brownies out of the pan incredibly easy.
• Marshmallow Magic: For an extra special touch, lightly toast the marshmallows with a kitchen torch or under the broiler for a minute after pressing them into the hot brownies. Watch them carefully to prevent burning!

Delicious Variations to Try

• Nutty Alternatives: Not a fan of walnuts? Feel free to swap them out for pecans, almonds, or even peanuts for a different crunch. For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts.
• Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips can add unique flavor profiles to your rocky road.
• Candy Crush: For an even more indulgent and fun brownie, consider adding chopped candy bars, pretzel pieces for a salty-sweet twist, or even M&Ms along with (or instead of) the chocolate chips and walnuts.
• Extra Festive: Double down on the funfetti theme by adding a few tablespoons of sprinkles directly into the brownie batter during the last step of mixing, creating colorful specks throughout the brownies themselves!
• Frosting Fun: While these brownies are delightful on their own, a swirl of chocolate ganache or a simple vanilla buttercream frosting could take them over the top for a special occasion.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

These Funfetti Rocky Road Brownies are perfect served slightly warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an ultimate treat. They are also fantastic at room temperature, making them ideal for potlucks, parties, or simply as an everyday snack.

To store, place the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.