ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Happy Rocky Road Ice Cream Day! For today's holiday, I'm posting a recipe for a delicious Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie. It's a great way to cool off. 

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  California. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Another story is that Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims is that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream. So however it came into existence, have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier: Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

WALNUT DAY: Rocky Road Brownie Bars

Today is National Walnut Day, and I thought I'd focus today on one of the ways to incorporate walnuts in baked goods, specifically Brownies. Now, I often add chopped walnuts to Brownies, but here's a 1971 Diamond Walnuts Retro Ad & Recipe for Rocky Road Brownies. The recipe really transforms your favorite brownies into Rocky Road Bars with a thick Rocky Road frosting. So make a batch of brownies either from a box or from scratch and follow these directions. Be sure to add walnuts to the brownies, too!

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE BARS

Ingredients
9-inch square pan of brownies
1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons soft butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup coarsely-chopped walnuts

Directions
Prepare brownies from your own recipe or a mix. Melt chocolate. Combine with soft butter, powdered sugar and milk; beat smooth. Spread over top of cooled brownies. Sprinkle with marshmallows and walnuts. With small spatula, swirl frosting around marshmallows and walnuts. Let frosting set before cutting.

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie Day!

Happy Rocky Road Ice Cream Day! I love Rocky Road Ice Cream, don't you? 

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream. However it came into existence, have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)

*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier: Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

It's sweltering here in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the first of many heatwaves predicted for the summer--and summer isn't even here yet! Climate Change!!! I'm posting a recipe for a delicious Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie. It's a great way to cool off. 

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier: Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE BARS

Today is Rocky Road Day. Here's a 1971  Diamond Walnuts Retro Ad & Recipe for Rocky Road Brownies. The recipe really transforms your favorite brownies into Rocky Road Bars with a thick Rocky Road frosting. So make a batch of brownies either from a box or from scratch and follow these directions.

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE BARS

Ingredients
9-inch square pan of brownies
1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons soft butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup coarsely-chopped walnuts

Directions
Prepare brownies from your own recipe or a mix. Melt chocolate. Combine with soft butter, powdered sugar and milk; beat smooth. Spread over top of cooled brownies. Sprinkle with marshmallows and walnuts. With small spatula, swirl frosting around marshmallows and walnuts. Let frosting set before cutting.

***

SERVE WITH ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Today is National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier: Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Today is National Rocky Road Day!

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live here. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier. Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES: Retro Ad & Recipe

Yesterday was Rocky Road Day, and I posted a recipe for Rocky Road Truffles. Here's a 1971  Diamond Walnuts Retro Ad & Recipe for Rocky Road Brownies. The recipe is really for transforming your favorite brownies into Rocky Road Bars with a thick Rocky Road frosting. So make a batch of brownies either from a box or from scratch and follow these directions.

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES

Ingredients
9-inch square pan of brownies
1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons soft butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup coarsely-chopped walnuts

Directions
Prepare brownies from your own recipe or a mix. Melt chocolate. Combine with soft butter, powdered sugar and milk; beat smooth. Spread over top of cooled brownies. Sprinkle with marshmallows and walnuts. With small spatula, swirl frosting around marshmallows and walnuts. Let frosting set before cutting.

ROCKY ROAD TRUFFLES: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Today is Rocky Road Ice Cream Day! I'm a huge fan of Rocky Road Ice Cream, and I've posted recipes for Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie, Rocky Road Ice Cream Sandwiches and more. But for today's holiday I thought I'd post this fun recipe for Rocky Road Truffles the appeared on the California Walnuts site. It's always good to check out food association sites for ideas and recipes.

I can never have too many truffle recipes. This recipe was created by Emily Luchetti, pastry chef at two of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco -- Farallon and Waterbar. She also has several excellent cookbooks. This is an easy recipe. If you're a purist, you can always have some Rocky Road Ice Cream to celebrate the day!

Rocky Road Ice Cream, by the way, was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live in the Oakland/Berkeley area. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream... or make some Rocky Road Truffles.

ROCKY ROAD TRUFFLES

Ingredients
6 Tbsp heavy cream
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup mini marshmallows cut in half (use scissors it’s much easier)
1/2 cup walnuts cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 cup milk chocolate chip or 1/4 inch pieces
1/3 cup cocoa powder

Directions
Warm cream in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until hot and bubbling around edges, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate. Swirl pan lightly so chocolate is covered by cream. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Whisk occasionally until room temperature. Stir in marshmallows, walnuts and milk chocolate chips.

Spread chocolate cream in 9-inch pan or pie plate. Refrigerate until hard, at least 1 hour.

Form chocolate into balls using heaping teaspoon for each, placing them in single layer on pan.

Refrigerate until hard.

Place cocoa powder on plate or in small bowl. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

One at time, place chocolate balls in cocoa powder. Dust palms with cocoa powder and lightly roll the truffles between your palms until round. (The cocoa powder keeps them from sticking to your hands.) Roll in cocoa powder.

(If at any point the chocolate gets too warm and the truffles become difficult to roll, refrigerate the chocolate for 30 minutes until it firms up.)

ROCKY ROAD FUDGE: National Rocky Road Day

I found this Retro Advertising Card for Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate at the Flea Market a few years ago. I'm not sure if it was included in a packet of Chocolate or was just an advertising piece. The quantity says 14 ounce net wt., so I'm thinking a large Baking Bar? I love that the card says "Gear-Ar-Delly"... always good to pronounce this San Francisco landmark correctly. No indication of date, but 'table cream' is a clue. I would think 1930s, based on other recipes from that period. Recipes include Rocky Road Fudge, although it just says Rocky Road. This is perfect for National Rocky Road Day!

SWEET HEART FUDGE PIE & ROCKY ROAD BARS: Retro Ad & Recipes

Here's a great Retro Ad with Recipes from Diamond Walnuts for Sweetheart Fudge Pie & Rocky Road Bars. How fun and delicious!

ROCKY ROAD FUDGE: Retro Recipe for National Rocky Road Day!

I found this Retro Advertising Card for Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate at the Flea Market a few years ago. I'm not sure if it was included in a packet of Chocolate or just an advertising piece. The quantity says 14 ounce net wt., so I'm thinking with a large Baking Bar? I love that the card says "Gear-Ar-Delly"... always good to pronounce this San Francisco landmark correctly. No indication of date, but 'table cream' is a clue. I would think 1930s, based on other recipes from that period. Recipes include Rocky Road Fudge, although it just says Rocky Road. This is perfect for Rocky Road Day!

Rocky Road Truffles: Rocky Road Ice Cream Day

Photo: California Walnuts

Today is Rocky Road Ice Cream Day! I'm a huge fan of Rocky Road Ice Cream, and I've posted recipes for Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie, Rocky Road Ice Cream Sandwiches and more. But for today's holiday I thought I'd post this fun recipe the appeared on the California Walnuts site. Always good to go to food association sites for ideas and recipes.

And, personally I can never have too many truffle recipes. This recipe was created by Emily Luchetti, pastry chef at two of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco -- Farallon and Waterbar. She also has several excellent cookbooks. This is an easy recipe that I know you'll enjoy. If you're a purist, you can always have some Rocky Road Ice Cream to celebrate!

Rocky Road Ice Cream, by the way, was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live in the Oakland/Berkeley area. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream... or make some Rocky Road Truffles.

ROCKY ROAD TRUFFLES

Ingredients
6 Tbsp heavy cream
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup mini marshmallows cut in half (use scissors it’s much easier)
1/2 cup walnuts cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 cup milk chocolate chip or 1/4 inch pieces
1/3 cup cocoa powder

Directions
Warm cream in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until hot and bubbling around edges, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate. Swirl pan lightly so chocolate is covered by cream. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Whisk occasionally until room temperature. Stir in marshmallows, walnuts and milk chocolate chips.

Spread chocolate cream in 9-inch pan or pie plate. Refrigerate until hard, at least 1 hour.

Form chocolate into balls using heaping teaspoon for each, placing them in single layer on pan.

Refrigerate until hard.

Place cocoa powder on plate or in small bowl. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

One at time, place chocolate balls in cocoa powder. Dust palms with cocoa powder and lightly roll the truffles between your palms until round. (The cocoa powder keeps them from sticking to your hands.) Roll in cocoa powder.

(If at any point the chocolate gets too warm and the truffles become difficult to roll, refrigerate the chocolate for 30 minutes until it firms up.)

Ghirardelli Vintage Advertising Card for Rocky Road, Milk Chocolate Sundae Sauce, & Milk Chocolate Icing

I was at the Flea Market a few weeks ago and came across this Vintage Advertising Card for Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate. I'm not sure if it was included in a packet of Chocolate or just an advertising piece. The quantity says 14 ounce net wt., so I'm thinking with a large Baking Bar? I love that the card says "Gear-Ar-Delly"... always good to pronounce this San Francisco landmark correctly. No indication of date, but 'table cream' is a clue. I would think 1930s, based on other recipes from that period.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie for Rocky Road Ice Cream Day

Today is National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day!

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live here. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream today... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie!

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate, and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 Tbsp butter

Directions
Melt butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this? O.K. even easier. Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.

Rocky Road Truffles: National Rocky Road Day!

Photo: California Walnuts

Today is Rocky Road Ice Cream Day! I'm a huge fan of Rocky Road Ice cream, and I've posted recipes for Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie, Rocky Road Ice Cream Sandwiches and others. But for today's holiday I thought I'd post this fun recipe the appeared on the California Walnuts site. Always good to go to food association sites for ideas and recipes.

And, personally I can never have too many truffle recipes. This recipe was created by Emily Luchetti, pastry chef at two of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco -- Farallon and Waterbar. She also has six excellent cookbooks. This is an easy recipe that I know you'll enjoy. If you're a purist, you can always have some Rocky Road Ice Cream to celebrate!

Rocky Road Ice Cream, by the way, was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live in the Oakland/Berkeley area. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream... or make some Rocky Road Truffles.

ROCKY ROAD TRUFFLES

Ingredients
6 Tbsp heavy cream
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup mini marshmallows cut in half (use scissors it’s much easier)
1/2 cup walnuts cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 cup milk chocolate chip or 1/4 inch pieces
1/3 cup cocoa powder

Directions
Warm cream in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until hot and bubbling around edges, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate. Swirl pan lightly so chocolate is covered by cream. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Whisk occasionally until room temperature. Stir in marshmallows, walnuts and milk chocolate chips.

Spread chocolate cream in 9-inch pan or pie plate. Refrigerate until hard, at least 1 hour.

Form chocolate into balls using heaping teaspoon for each, placing them in single layer on pan.

Refrigerate until hard.

Place cocoa powder on plate or in small bowl. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

One at time, place chocolate balls in cocoa powder. Dust palms with cocoa powder and lightly roll the truffles between your palms until round. (The cocoa powder keeps them from sticking to your hands.) Roll in cocoa powder.

(If at any point the chocolate gets too warm and the truffles become difficult to roll, refrigerate the chocolate for 30 minutes until it firms up.)

Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie

Yesterday, June 2 was National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day, but it's not to late to celebrate!

Rocky Road Ice Cream was 'invented' in Oakland,  CA, which makes it pretty special to me, since I live in the Oakland/Berkeley area. One story goes that the Rocky Road ice cream flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dreyer in Oakland, CA. He cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's chocolate candy that used walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later the walnuts were replaced by toasted almonds. Fenton's Creamery in Oakland claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky-Road style ice cream flavor invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren, who blended his own Rocky Road-style candy bar into ice cream.  So however it came into existence, be sure and have a scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream... or make a Rocky Road Ice Cream Pie! Here's an easy recipe.

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM PIE

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla fudge swirl ice cream, softened
2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
2/3 cup miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped and divided
1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped (or lightly salted peanuts)
*Chocolate Pie Crust (see recipe below) Prepare first**

Directions
1. In large bowl stir together ice cream, marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped chocolate and toasted almonds or peanuts. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped chocolate.
2. Cover and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
3. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

*Chocolate Pie Crust (good for lots of pies)
2 cups chocolate wafers (in a pinch use Oreos)
6 tbsp butter

Melt the butter.
Put chocolate wafers in plastic bag. Close bag and crush with spoon or rolling pin until you have tiny pea-sized chocolate bits. Or just whirl the cookies in a blender.
Combine melted butter with chocolate bits.
Press ingredients into 9-inch buttered pie pan. Be sure and go up the sides.
Bake 10 minutes at 325°F.
Cool completely before adding ice-cream.

How easy is this?  O.K. even easier. Soften a gallon of Rocky Road Ice Cream and add to your Chocolate Pie Crust. Refreeze for two hours.