The History of Rocky Road Ice Cream

In 1929, ice cream maker William Dreyer and candy maker Joseph Edy teamed up in Oakland, California to create a new ice cream flavor. According to legend, Dreyer used his wife's sewing scissors to cut marshmallows into a chocolate ice cream base studded with walnuts. The two men then mass-produced the flavor, which became popular as a relatively affordable treat during the dark days of the Great Depression. Another treat called Rocky Road first became popular in Australia during the 1880s. Eaten by settlers, it was a mix of sweets, nuts, and dried fruit not dissimilar to modern trail mix. However, it is unclear if this had any influence on Dreyer’s and Edy’s ice cream flavor or its name. Adding another layer to the story, Fentons Creamery (located close to Dreyer's and Edy's) also claims to have invented the flavor, although the team swapped walnuts for almonds in their version. While there is some controversy over who first invented Rocky Road ice cream, we do know for certain that it rose to popularity during the Great Depression and that it continues to be a beloved flavor today.