Pandemic. Unemployment. Injustice. Life can be tough, and sometimes we need a delightful distraction to lift our spirits. Enter rocky road ice cream – a sweet, frozen treat that brings joy to even the most challenging of times. With its delectable combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and nuts, each mouthful of rocky road is a chewy, melty delight that will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.

The origins of rocky road ice cream are shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain – it emerged during the Great Depression in 1929 when the stock market crashed and the country was plunged into economic turmoil. It is widely regarded as the first commercial ice cream to incorporate mix-ins, a game-changer that forever transformed the world of frozen desserts.

Legend has it that the flavor was inspired by a candy maker at Oakland’s Fentons Creamery, who served his experimental creation to William Dreyer, the owner of Dreyer’s Ice Cream at the time. Dreyer was so smitten with the concoction that he replaced walnuts with almonds, making rocky road a timeless classic. While the Dreyer’s Ice Cream website presents a slightly different version of the story, the sentiment remains the same – in a time of despair, rocky road was created to bring comfort to the masses.

Interestingly, even earlier references to a similar flavor combination can be found in an advertisement from the HC Capwell Company in 1918. The ad promoted a freshly made confection of marshmallow, chocolate, and walnut, which was available for a special price of 59 cents per pound on Saturdays. Clearly, the love for this delightful medley of flavors has been around for quite some time.

But enough about history. Let’s dive into the present and explore the world of rocky road ice creams to find out which brand reigns supreme and what makes it truly exceptional. In our quest for the perfect scoop, we scoured the shelves for every available brand, although some were unfortunately sold out. We discovered that the best versions of rocky road ice cream begin with a creamy, rich base that bursts with chocolate flavor. Each spoonful is adorned with fluffy marshmallows and crunchy almonds, creating a truly blissful indulgence.

Unfortunately, not all attempts at recreating this beloved classic hit the mark. Some versions suffer from too few nuts, an excess of marshmallow, or a lack of chocolate. The worst offenders are sugar bombs disguised as ice cream, offering flavorless “chocolate” bases, an overwhelming presence of cloyingly sweet marshmallow syrup, and a severe shortage of nuts.

Without further ado, let us unveil the winners and the disappointments in our pursuit of the ultimate rocky road ice cream experience. Please note that the nutrition details provided refer to a 2/3-cup serving size.

Clover Sonoma Rocky Road

Rich, ultra-creamy chocolate ice cream sets the stage for this stellar rendition of rocky road. Packed with puffy marshmallows and generously toasted almonds, this is the golden standard of what a good rocky road should be. With 220 calories, 11g fat, and 23g sugar per serving, it’s a treat that will leave you craving more. Available for $6.99 in a 1.5-quart container at Whole Foods. (4 stars)

Dreyer’s Rocky Road

Dreyer’s version of rocky road, featuring tiny marshmallows and an abundance of nuts, is undeniably delightful. While it falls a tad short in terms of chocolate flavor, it still manages to satisfy. With 210 calories, 11g fat, and 18g sugar per serving, it’s worth a try. Look for it at Raley’s, where it retails for $5.99 in a 1.5-quart container. (3½ stars)

Breyers Rocky Road

Breyers presents a bold chocolate ice cream base, enriched by chocolate-coated, nearly whole almonds. However, the marshmallow swirl in this recipe is rather thick and unevenly distributed, detracting from an otherwise splendid experience. With 190 calories, 6g fat, and 19g sugar per serving, it’s a flavorful option available at Raley’s for $5.99 in a 1.5-quart container. (3 stars)

Tillamook Rocky Road

Fans of milk chocolate will find themselves falling in love with Tillamook’s flavorful ice cream. However, the mix-ins in this rendition are minimal, and the untoasted almond bits lack the desired crunch. Offering 230 calories, 13g fat, and 22g sugar per serving, you can sample this option for $5.99 in a 1.75-quart package at Sprouts. (3 stars)

Haagen Dazs Rocky Road

Haagen Dazs presents a rich, creamy chocolate ice cream that harmonizes well with the abundance of large, toasty nuts. However, the generous amount of melty marshmallow contributes an excess of sweetness, overwhelming the overall experience. Providing 370 calories, 21g fat, and 30g sugar per serving, this pint is available for $3.50 at Safeway. (2½ stars)

Great Value Rocky Road

Dark chocolate enthusiasts will appreciate the flavor of Great Value’s offering, particularly the tiny bits of chocolate-coated almonds. However, be warned – the marshmallow swirl in this version turns the ice cream into a sugar bomb. To fully enjoy this option, we recommend scooping away from the swirl and leaving it for the little ones. With 200 calories, 10g fat, and 20g sugar per serving, it’s an affordable choice priced at $2.97 for a 1.25-quart container at Walmart. (2 stars)

Sunnyside Farms Premium Rocky Road

If you’re not a fan of chocolate, Sunnyside Farms has an alternative for you. However, be warned that this nearly flavorless ice cream is loaded with marshmallows and contains only a few chewy almonds. Despite its appearance resembling milk chocolate, it lacks the desired taste. Offering 220 calories, 11g fat, and 18g sugar per serving, you can find it for $2.50 in a 1.5-quart container at Raley’s. (1 star)

Baskin Robbins Rocky Road

While this dark mix may look promising, the use of chocolate liquor and whey results in an odd, off-putting flavor. Additionally, the nuts seem to have mysteriously disappeared. This option is best avoided. With 270 calories, 14g fat, and 25g sugar per serving, you can find it for $4.99 in a 14-ounce package at Safeway. (½ a star)

These reviews are based on samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. For more information, you can contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. If you’re hungry for more food and drink coverage, be sure to follow us on Flipboard.

In conclusion, rocky road ice cream is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time. With its perfect blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and nuts, it’s a treat that never fails to bring a smile to our faces. Whether you prefer Clover Sonoma, Dreyer’s, Breyers, Tillamook, Haagen Dazs, Great Value, Sunnyside Farms, or Baskin Robbins, there’s a rocky road out there that will satisfy your cravings. So grab a spoon, indulge in a bowl of this delightful concoction, and let the worries of the world melt away in each creamy, crunchy, and chewy bite.