An indulgent no-bake treat that proves supermarket own brands can be every bit as delicious in your dessert making.
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying, and this White Chocolate Rocky Road is a perfect example.
Made with Aldi or Lidl own-brand white chocolate, layers of crunchy chopped mixed nuts and crushed caramelised biscuits, it's rich, creamy, wonderfully crunchy and incredibly easy to make.
You can use other smooth white chocolates if you don't have a Lidl or Aldi near to your home.
One of the biggest surprises when I made this recipe was just how well the supermarket own-brand white chocolate performed. It melted beautifully using a simple double boiler, creating a silky smooth mixture that set perfectly in the fridge without any fuss.
The caramelised biscuits add a deep, buttery flavour that balances the sweetness of the white chocolate, while the mixed nuts provide plenty of texture and bite. Every mouthful offers something slightly different.
Best of all, there's no baking involved.
Ingredients
500g Aldi or Lidl own-brand white chocolate
250g caramelised biscuits (Biscoff-style), roughly crushed
150g chopped mixed nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts or a mixture)
200ml double cream
50g butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of sea salt (optional)
For the topping
Extra crushed caramelised biscuits
A handful of chopped mixed nuts
Equipment
Medium saucepan
Heatproof bowl (for a double boiler) or a double boiler
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
20cm square or round baking tin
Baking parchment
Method
1. Prepare your tin
Line your baking tin with baking parchment, leaving enough overhang to lift the finished rocky road out easily.
2. Melt the chocolate
Bring a saucepan of water to a gentle simmer.
Place the white chocolate, butter and double cream into a heatproof bowl sitting above the water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.
Stir gently until everything has melted into a smooth, glossy mixture.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using.
3. Build the layers
Spread a thin layer of the white chocolate mixture into the base of the tin.
Scatter over:
a layer of crushed caramelised biscuits
a layer of chopped mixed nuts
Cover with more white chocolate.
Repeat the layers until you've used all the ingredients, finishing with a smooth layer of white chocolate on top.
Sprinkle generously with extra crushed biscuits and chopped nuts.
4. Chill
Place in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours, preferably overnight, until completely firm.
5. Slice
Lift from the tin using the baking parchment and cut into generous squares with a sharp knife.
Tips for Success
Keep the water gently simmering rather than boiling when melting the chocolate.
Stir continuously to prevent the white chocolate overheating.
Use good-quality own-brand white chocolate from Aldi or Lidl for excellent results without the premium price.
Chill overnight for the cleanest slices.
Warm your knife in hot water and wipe dry before each cut for bakery-quality portions.
Variations
Once you've mastered the basic recipe, it's easy to experiment.
Try adding:
mini marshmallows
dried cranberries
raisins
chopped glacé cherries
toffee pieces
honeycomb chunks
orange zest
a sprinkle of cinnamon
Or add Christmas spices and pieces of candied ginger to make an absolutely show stopping Christmas sweet treat.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
It can also be frozen for up to three months. Simply thaw in the fridge before serving.
This recipe proves you don't need expensive ingredients to create an impressive dessert. Aldi and Lidl's own-brand white chocolate melts beautifully, while the combination of caramelised biscuits and mixed nuts creates layers of flavour and texture that make every bite irresistible.
It's perfect with a mug of tea or coffee, makes a wonderful homemade gift, and is guaranteed to disappear quickly whenever family or friends come to visit.