Healthier rocky road [refined sugar free, dairy free, gluten free]


Imagine the chocolatiest, yummiest little treat you could pull out of your freezer this holiday season – and this festive rocky road absolutely delivers. It’s chock full of salted toasted coconut chips, freeze dried strawberries, dried figs, roasted hazelnuts and – wait for it – quinoa rice cakes (didn’t expect that one, did you?)! No chocolate was hurt in the making of this beautiful treat, and you will feel all virtuous for eating this – it’s, dare I say it, much healthier than your average Christmas sweets! So if you’re looking for a last minute treat to make for your celebrations this year, consider this little slice of heaven… Merry Christmas all.


Rocky road – the healthier way
As I mentioned in my lighter gingerbread cookies post, I’ve been trying to lighten up some of the traditional Christmas cookie recipes. This rocky road is another addition to that line up, with no refined sugar, no dairy and no wheat/gluten.
Plus instead of marshmallows and turkish delight pieces, candy canes, glace fruit, mini chocolate bars, salted pretzels or the plethora of other sugar-laden or high salt add-ins, I added healthier bits and pieces here – we have crunchy, chewy, naturally sweet and a little bit salty. Seriously, if your local Aldi sells those organic toasted coconut flakes with salt, if you see them, grab them – they are so perfect for this recipe. They give it that beautiful tropical flavour, plus a little sprinkling of salt – an intensely delicious combination, especially combined with the chocolate, strawberries and figs.

Healthier rocky road – the perfect last minute Christmas treat for the whole family
And if you think this rocky road sounds pretty tasty, I think you will be impressed by the speed with which you can make it. You basically cut up your add-ins, melt your coconut oil and mix in your remaining base ingredients, then pour it all into a lined loaf pan, pop into your freezer and sit down for a minute and relax. If you have a wine in your hand, even better.
Because friends, I have to tell you, this is my kind of dessert right now. I finished work today (two days before Christmas) and I am kind of tired. I have managed to keep all the clients happy, meet all of my deadlines at work (by starting work early and finishing late), buy all the Christmas presents, wrap them, bake cookies, entertain super-cranky children at the end of their school term, attend all the school activities, try and be a good friend and catch up with friends and colleagues for Christmas drinks and dinners, and now I am a bit tired.
We are so lucky here in Canberra to be able to do all those things and I am so grateful for that. But, honestly, if you’re a little exhausted, like me, and perhaps you’re running a little late on your Christmas preparations, then this quick and easy dessert might also be up your alley. And even if you’re not, give it a go – you won’t be disappointed (and yes, it is the reason why I’ve been sneaking into the freezer a bit more often lately)!

Recipe
Healthier rocky road [refined sugar free, dairy free, gluten free]
Ingredients
Rocky road base
- 100 g coconut oil
- 1/2 cup rice malt syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 1 heaped tbsp nut butter (I used cashew butter but others should be perfectly fine)
- 2 heaped tbsp cacao powder
Add-ins
- 1.5 thin brown rice and quinoa rice cakes, broken into larger pieces
- 3/4 cup toasted coconut flakes with salt
- 1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts, whole
- heaped 1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries, roughly chopped/diced
- 6 dried figs, sliced
Instructions
Preparation
- Chop, dice and slice the add-ins as per the list above.
- Line a 22-23cm loaf tin with baking paper and set aside.
Rocky road base
- Melt the coconut oil in a small pan over low heat on the stove (or in a glass bowl in the microwave) until just melted but not boiling.
- Take the pot off the heat (or the bowl out of the microwave) and whisk in the remaining rocky road base ingredients until smooth.
Add-ins
- Mix about 80% of the various add-ins into the chocolatey rocky road base.
- Pour the mixture into the lined loaf pan and smooth down into as even layer as possible (it doesn't need to be perfect, so don't stress). It will be pretty lumpy but that's how we want it.
- Now spread the rest of the toppings over the top of the chocolatey mixture in the loaf pan and press down gently, so that they connect with the chocolatey base (and don't just fall off when you're cutting them).
- Then pop into your freezer over at least a couple of hours, or ideally overnight to harden.
- Once frozen, take out and let sit on your kitchen counter for 5 minutes or so, then peel off the baking paper (and discard) and cut the rocky road into slices or pieces with a sharp knife.
- I then store them in a box, tightly coved with a lid, in the freezer. (If there's more than two layers of your rocky road pieces in the box, then separate them with a clean sheet of baking paper so they don't stick.)
- They don't really need defrosting before eating, but if you have cut the rocky road into larger pieces or you have sensitive teeth, then feel free to let them sit on a counter for a while before devouring.
Notes

Recipe notes
Feel free to substitute other add-ins if you can’t find these particular ones, this recipe is very versatile. Â
The base recipe is based on a popcorn rocky road recipe from the Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook #Veganlife (which is awesome!).



70 Comments
Priya
These bars sound so tempting 🙂
Katerina
Thanks Priya!
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
As long as I can add some real chocolate to this recipe, I’m sold!
Katerina
Haha.. of course! Thanks so much, Fran.
Neil
Missed these bars before I took my Christmas break Katerina but they look absolutely amazing and healhier too. Ideal snacks for when I can get back hillwalking when we’re allowed out again here one day! Hope you had an amazing Christmas and Happy New Year too!!
Katerina
Thank you so much Neil! Happy New Year!
Jeff the Chef
These sweets look so good! I could imagine riffing On this recipe.
Katerina
Haha.. feel free, Jeff! Glad you like it. Happy New Year!
Laura
Katerina! These bars look gorgeous and sound amazing! I love using figs as the sweetness for a recipe like this, too! And the crunch from quinoa cakes with all those lovely topping – yum! and so festive! I’ve. never seen sated coconut, but you can be sure I’ll be searching for it! love a sweet+salty treat like no other!
Katerina
I can totally read the excitement in your comment, Laura, and I’m so pleased! That’s the best compliment. Thank you so much and happy New Year!
Molly Pisula
Love the combination of flavors in this recipe, and love the idea of a healthier treat around the holidays. Hope you had some time to relax and replenish. I think we all needed it!
Katerina
I definitely have! Thank you Molly, I hope you’ve had a lovely break as well. Happy New Year!
Shannon
Wow Katerina, you are one busy lady! You literally do it all, talk about Super Mom! And then you create a gorgeous, delicious, and utterly mouthwatering recipe like this one! Your pics and all these beautiful ingredients are just calling my name! I am so making your Healthier Rocky Road. Wish I had a slice in front of me now!!
Katerina
Ahh, Shannon, you’re too kind! Thanks so much for your kind words. I so hope that you enjoy this recipe! Happy New Year to you and your gorgeous family!
Raymund
Honestly that looks amazing! Healthy Rocky Road for the win! Happy New Year to you
Katerina
Thank you so much Raymund! Happy New Year to you too!
All That I'm Eating
I love the look of these rocky roads covered with the coconut and dried fruit, what a great way to make something packed full of good things which feels a bit naughty!
Katerina
That was exactly my thinking behind this version, thank you so much! Happy New Year!
David @ Spiced
What a fun idea to healthify rocky road fudge! I love the flavors going on here, and this would be perfect for the holiday season…or for a cold January weekend! 🙂 Happy New Year, my friend!
Katerina
Exactly my thinking, David – thank you so much! Happy New Year to you, Laura and Robbie.
Jill
I love rocky road and this looks and sounds so delicious! Bonus that it’s healthy too! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Thank you Jill! Happy New Year!
2pots2cook
Love how you upgraded this one ! I wish you have healthy and happy 2021. !
Katerina
Thanks very much Davorka – happy New Year to you too!
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Love how you’ve lightened up the rocky road! It’s typically a dessert I don’t make since it’s ladened with sugars… but I’m down for this version! Great job, Katerina!
Katerina
Thanks so much Michelle, I’m so glad you like this version!
Renuka Walter
This is such a beautiful recipe! Do you take these pictures, Katerina? They are always so pretty and well composed. Love all your recipes.
Have a fantastic 2021!
Katerina
Thanks so much Renuka – and yes, I do take all the photos! Your kind words are much appreciated. Happy New Year!
sherry
happy new year!
Katerina
Happy New Year, Sherry!
Beth Pollock
A healthy Rocky Road recipe sounds almost impossible. Congratulations on making it happen!
Wishing you and your loved ones much happiness in the New Year.
Katerina
Thanks very much Beth! Same to you!
Caleb - Never Ending Journeys
What an incredible treat! Rocky Road is so delicious, and even better if it’s healthy!
Katerina
Thank you Caleb!
Rahul @samosastreet
The bite size rocky road sounds so delicious. Perfect little treat to make for new year !! Happy Haolidays !!
Katerina
Thank you Rahul! Happy holidays to you!
Dennis Yannakos
Wow, it makes my mouth water!
Best Kitchen Utensils
Katerina
Thanks very much, Dennis!
Laura Bambrick
I love the idea of adding in freeze dried strawberries! This looks absolutely delicious!
Katerina
Thanks so much Laura! We’ve loved it. Happy holidays!
Balvinder
Oh wow! This looks wonderful. I love all your healthy add ins.
Katerina
Thanks so much, Balvinder!
Denise Browning
Such a delightful rock road treat. Love how healthy it is! This means we can enjoy it without feeling guilty.
Katerina
Exactly my thinking! Thanks so much Denise, appreciate it. Happy holidays!
Yvonne
I’m suddenly hungry! These sweets look so delicious! I’m keeping the recipe!
https://www.aproposh.com
Katerina
Thank you so much Yvonne, that’s the best compliment!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
This rocky road treat looks festive and I love the healthier swaps you added in there! I hope you are getting a chance to sit back and relax this week with your family. Sending best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and your family!
Katerina
Thank so much Tasia, I really appreciate it. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season too!
Auggie
I love the look of this festive rocky road Katerina! The flavor combination is also inspiring! Hope you are enjoying the holidays now after all the work before Christmas. 🙂
Katerina
Thanks so much Auggie, I’m definitely loving being on holidays! Hope you had wonderful Christmas!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! This rocky road treat looks so beautiful, scrumptious and makes for a better choice!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thank you so much Carrie, I totally agree! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!
Georgia
Anything sweet and salty is right up my street, especially when it’s for the festive season! Cannot wait to give these a try <3
//teandtwosugars.blogspot.com xx
Katerina
Thank you so much Georgia, I’m so glad you think so! Hope you had wonderful Christmas!
Tina
Such a beautiful dessert and it’s a bonus that it’s a healthy offering. Anyone would love to recieve this as a gift. Sounds like you worked hard to get work finished as well as shopping. You deserve a treat 🙂
Katerina
Thanks for much Tina, much appreciated!
John / Kitchen Riffs
This looks great! I’d definitely be sneaking into the freezer to take tiny samples of this. OK, maybe not so tiny. 🙂 Very festive looking. Thanks. And happy holidays!
Katerina
Thanks so much John! This is very much what’s happening here haha.. merry Christmas!
Lovely
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Katerina
Thanks Lovely!
Kathrine Eldridge
What a wonderful treat for the holidays! Merry Christmas to you and your family Katerina!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thank you so much, Kathrine, and merry Christmas to you too!
Healthy World Cuisine
Dried figs and strawberries, yes please. Those topping took rocky road from ho mum to amazing! Wishing your family a very happy and healthy holiday and new year.
Katerina
Thank you so much, and merry Christmas to you too!
Christie
MMM this healthier rocky road sounds so amazing! I love that you added some colour to this delicious treat with the freeze dried strawberries and the tasty sweet figs! What a great idea. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas Katerina! May 2021 be a wonderful year for you!
Katerina
Thanks so much Christie, I’m loving the pop of colour too! Merry Christmas to you too!
angiesrecipes
These are truly the healthiest and yummiest rock road that I have ever seen…the toppings are bomb!
Happy Holidays!
Katerina
Thanks so much Angie, much appreciated!
Sophie
Yes please! This looks and sounds absolutely delicious. I’m a huge fan of rocky road and how you can basically throw anything in it to make it to your preferences. This healthier version is such a good idea.
Katerina
Thanks so much Sophie, exactly my thinking! I’m so glad you like this version.