This amazing Pavlova Rocky Road is so quick and easy to make. A tropical rocky road inspired by our most popular dessert, the iconic Pavlova.
If you love all the flavours of Pavlova, but are on the hunt for a quick and easy dessert, this Pavlova Rocky Road is FOR YOU.
A tropical twist on the classic rocky road, this no bake dessert is perfect for Christmas gifts or holiday entertaining.
It comes together in minutes – even the kids will love helping to make it – and it makes plenty. No mixer, no oven and no special equipment needed!
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This simple no bake rocky road comes together in minutes – and easily feeds a crowd.
- Simple ingredients: You only need seven ingredients and you can easily customise this gluten free recipe to be your own.
- Ultimate crowd-pleaser: Everyone will enjoy the chew, crunch and freshness of this unique Aussie dessert.
- Make-ahead: Make this Pavlova-inspired rocky road ahead of time for easy entertaining this holiday season. It makes for a convenient gift for teachers, friends or family too!
Recipe testing
It is not Christmas in our house without a BIG Pavlova. It is one of the most iconic Australian treats going around.
And if you follow me on Instagram or TikTok, you’ll know every Christmas my mother-in-law makes the BEST Pavlova going around.
So when a reader sent me a DM and asked me to please make a Pavlova-inspired Rocky Road, I couldn’t WAIT to get started. The taste of an Aussie Christmas in rocky road form? Yes please!
To me, there are three key elements to a good pavlova: meringue, cream and fruit. And there are three key elements to a good rocky road: chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. So I put both together and came up with a tropical, pavlova-inspired rocky road – and I can’t go back!
Using tart dried cherries, chewy marshmallows and creamy pistachios, this Pavlova Rocky Road has everything that a good no bake slice should have.
Enjoy the crunch of meringue and the zestyness of mango. It’s thick, chunky and there’s a little bit of EVERYTHING in every bite.
We’ve also chopped up dried mango and added coconut too for tropical vibes. All in all, it’s the magic of real pavlova in a simple no bake slice. It’ll be a delightful addition to your Christmas table.
And it also makes for a thoughtful teacher’s gift or a yummy Christmas stocking stuffer.
Ingredients
This Pavlova Rocky Road only needs six key ingredients, plus plenty of good quality white chocolate. It’s also high customisable! Read on to find out what ingredients we recommend, including any substitutions you can make.
- White chocolate: The hero of this rocky road is white chocolate. The better quality the chocolate, often the better it tastes. I recommend using a block of chocolate, rather than a chocolate chips or chocolate melts. I’ve tried this recipe with Lindt, Nestle Plaistowe and Cadbury white chocolate – all works well.
- Meringues: Representing the beautiful meringue of a pavlova, we’ve used crushed store-bought meringues. While they don’t have the beautiful taste and texture of a homemade pavlova, they do add sweetness and crunch to this rocky road. You can use any kind of store-bought meringues you like, meringue nests or meringue kisses, just crush them using your hands or chop them using a large straight-edge knife.
- Dried mango: The fruit element of this rocky road, we’ve opted for a tropical fruit vibe using store-bought dried mango. If you don’t have access to dried mango, you could try dried apricots or dried pineapple instead.
- Dried cherries: For a little Christmas cheer, add some dried cherries. If you can’t find them at your local grocery store, use cranberries instead. Dried blueberries work well too! You could also enjoy the tartness of freeze-dried berries if you prefer, freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries would work beautifully.
- Pistachios: Traditionally, rocky road has nuts, often peanuts or almonds. Here we enjoy the nutty goodness of pistachios for colour and crunch. You can of course add any nut you like! Or for a nut-free version, leave them out entirely.
- Mini marshmallows: You can’t have rocky road without a taste of pillowy marshmallow. We’ve used mini ones here. The size works really well with all the other ingredients. In saying that, you can use big marshmallows if you prefer, just like we do in my Classic White Chocolate Rocky Road recipe.
- Coconut: For more tropical vibes, we’ve added a handful of shredded coconut for nuttiness and chew. You can use desiccated coconut, or shredded coconut if you prefer. Or leave it out – up to you!
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Pavlova Rocky Road
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add crushed meringues, dried mango, dried cherries, pistachios, marshmallows and coconut.
Step 2: Use a spatula or wooden spoon to give everything a stir.
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Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, add white chocolate. Heat in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted and smooth.
Step 4: Pour melted white chocolate over dry ingredients.
Step 5: Quick stir until everything is completely coated in white chocolate.
Step 6: Pour mixture into prepared pan and gently press down into one even layer.
Step 7: Add a few extra cherries, mango pieces and pistachios on top.
Step 8: Place Pavlova Rocky Road in the fridge for one hour or until set.
Storage instructions
Storage: Keep Pavlova Rocky Road in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Make-ahead: You can easily make it ahead of time. Pavlova Rocky Road will keep well for up to a week in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
I love to use blocks of chocolate in my rocky road or good quality baking coverture chocolate if I have it on hand. Chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape so aren’t the best for melting – they also don’t taste as nice. You can try this recipe with milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer.
Absolutely! Rocky road keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container. You can make this recipe a week in advance.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Pavlova Rocky Road recipe
A tropical no bake Rocky Road inspired by the famous Pavlova dessert.
Ingredients
- 600 grams (4 cups) good quality white chocolate, broken into pieces
- 35 grams (1 cup) store-bought meringues, roughly crushed
- 60 grams (1/2 cup) dried mango, cut into small pieces, plus a little extra for decorating
- 75 grams (1/2 cup) dried cherries, plus a little extra for decorating
- 70 grams (1/2 cup) pistachios, plus a little extra for decorating
- 60 grams (1 cup) mini marshmallows
- 35 grams (1/2 cup) unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Grease and line an 8-inch square pan with baking or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add crushed meringues, dried mango, dried cherries, pistachios, marshmallows and coconut. Give it a good stir.Â
- In a medium mixing bowl, add white chocolate. Heat in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted and smooth.
- Pour melted white chocolate over dry ingredients. Quick stir until everything is completely coated in white chocolate.Â
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and gently press down into one even layer. Add a few extra cherries, mango pieces and pistachios on top.Â
- Place Pavlova Rocky Road in the fridge for one hour or until set. Cut into small square to serve.Â
- Keep rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge.Â
Notes
White chocolate: I recommend using a block of white chocolate, rather than a chocolate chips or chocolate melts. I’ve tried this recipe with Lindt, Nestle Plaistowe and Cadbury white chocolate – all works well.
Meringues:Â You can use any kind of storebought meringues you like, just crush them using your hands or chop them using a large straight-edge knife.
Dried mango: If you don’t have access to dried mango, you could try dried apricots or dried pineapple instead.
Dried cherries: For a little Christmas cheer, add some dried cherries. If you can’t find them at your local grocery store, use cranberries instead. Dried blueberries work well too! You could also use freeze-dried fruits if you prefer, freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries would work beautifully.
Pistachios: You can use any nut you like, or for a nut-free version, leave them out entirely.
Mini marshmallows: We’ve used mini ones here but you can use big marshmallows if you prefer.
Coconut: For more tropical vibes, we’ve added a handful of shredded coconut for nuttiness and chew. You can use desiccated coconut, or shredded coconut if you prefer. Or leave it out – up to you!
Storage: Keep Pavlova Rocky Road in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Make-ahead: You can easily make this ahead of time. Pavlova Rocky Road will keep well for up to a week in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 piece Calories: 192 Sugar: 21.2 g Sodium: 26.9 mg Fat: 10.5 g Carbohydrates: 22.3 g Protein: 2.3 g Cholesterol: 5.3 mg
Our favourite
Christmas Desserts
zack says
Great Jess!
Thanks for sahring
Jessica Holmes says
Hope you enjoy this one Zack!
Josh says
We loved this! It was nice to do something different this Christmas.
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Josh!