Take your love of the world around you to a whole new level with chocolate rock candy! Learn all about them, where you can find them, and how you can make chocolate rocks to imitate the processes that create real-world rocks on Earth.
As a child, I remember being fascinated by rocks and gems. Different shapes, colors, spots, stripes, and more would keep me fascinated for hours, learning about them and, by extension, the world around me.
Fast forward a few decades, and I still love seeing all the variations that are possible with rocks. And now, I get to see that same fascination repeated through the eyes of kids as an adult. My kids will happily look at and play with rocks for the better part of the day.
When I recently came across some candy chocolate rocks, it transported me back to that time when I would spend hours pouring over the gems in my collection.
While this isn’t the first time I have seen (or tried!) these one-of-a-kind candies, it is the first time I’ve seen them in many years. I was visiting our local candy store, and there was a bin full of loose candy rocks with a scoop and some bags. We were all instantly mesmerized by the variety of shapes and colors on display.
I knew what they were, but my kids didn’t. Can you guess what they said? “Look at those cool rocks!”, “Why are they in a candy store?”, (and the inevitable) “Can we get some?”
At first, the kids truly thought they were rocks. Who can blame them? They do look like rocks! Since they love rocks as much as I do, I couldn’t resist buying a bag of those fun river rock-looking candies to enjoy.
What Are Chocolate Rocks?
Imagine pebble-sized bits of melty milk chocolate surrounded by a candy coating (similar to M&Ms) that’s both colored and shaped like rocks, and you get chocolate rock candy. They may have a similar candy structure to M&Ms, but these geological delights don’t seem anything like M&Ms when you eat them.
These “pebbles” typically come in a variety of natural-looking colors, although some of the colors (pink, for example) may not immediately seem “earthy.” Believe it or not, there are pink rocks and gems out in the world!
Depending on the brand you purchase, you can find varieties in different combinations of colors. Some even have speckles.
You can also find them in different shapes. Most chocolate rocks have angles and edges like true rocks. But with just a little bit of searching, you can also find some that are rounder and smoother, like worn-down river rocks.
As a side note, if you like “trick” or imitation candy, check out the chocolate coal that you can find for sale around the holidays. It’s shaped and colored like hunks of coal, but it’s just candy and makes an excellent prop for a holiday prank.
Chocolate Rock Candy Flavors
These candy rocks are typically little morsels of milk chocolate surrounded by a candy coating. That simple combination is the primary flavor. However, I have also seen salted caramel chocolate, chocolate-covered sunflower kernels, and gemstone varieties.
These other flavors are much less common, making them much harder to find. They are available in some online stores and can greatly vary in color and shape from the “normal” milk chocolate rock candy varieties.
Are Chocolate Rocks Gluten-Free?
Yes! If you’re looking for gluten-free candy, these little edible stones will deliver. I haven’t found any brands that aren’t gluten-free yet. Just make sure to double-check the ingredients on the label you choose before purchasing to verify that particular brand is gluten-free.
Chocolate Rocks vs. Rock Candy
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to make the distinction between rock candy and chocolate rock candy. These two candies have similar names, so it would be understandable to confuse them.
Rock candy is basically large colored sugar crystals on a stick that can come in a variety of colors. Rock candy is simple to make yourself and loved by kids of all ages, which makes them a great family project to create! But even as colorful and fun as rock candy is, it’s not chocolate.
Chocolate rocks, on the other hand, are chocolate candies with colorful sugar coatings.
Two very different types of candies, but each one is full of yumminess in its own way.
Alternative Names
What’s in a name? I’m not really sure, but these treats have several different monikers that you may come across in your searches:
- Candy pebbles
- Candy rocks
- Chocolate rocks
- Chocolate pebbles
- Rock candy
- Chocolate gravel
- Rock chocolates
It doesn’t matter what name you call them because they are all delicious!
Pros And Cons Of Chocolate Rock Candies
If you’re still undecided on whether to try these scrumptious morsels, it can be helpful to cover and quick pros and cons list.
Pros
There’s a common belief that chocolate is unhealthy. Sure, it contains sugar, but chocolate also offers several health benefits. Here are some pros to having your chocolate and eating it too:
- Antioxidants – these compounds prevent oxidation from happening in the body to produce free radicals. Free radicals are the elements that cause cancer and other serious health conditions. Bring on the antioxidants!
- Lower Blood Pressure – exercise combined with eating chocolate may decrease blood pressure.
- Lower Cholesterol – the flavanols from cocoa may reduce “bad” cholesterol levels and prevent oxidation while also raising “good” cholesterol levels.
- Improve Brain Function – eating chocolate can improve blood flow to the brain and reduce cognitive impairment. It can also help slow age-related memory decline.
In addition to the health benefits of chocolate, chocolate rocks have a few pros all of their own because they’re unique, fun, interesting, and store well for a long time.
Cons
If you’re looking for gourmet chocolate candy, chocolate rocks aren’t going to make the cut. They aren’t made
with the highest-quality ingredients. However, if you’re looking for a fun and interesting edible treat, run, don’t walk, and grab some yourself.
What Do You Do With Chocolate Rocks?
In short, have fun with them! There are so many ways you can use and enjoy these candies that you’re only limited by your imagination. Not feeling very imaginative? Here are a few ideas to spark creativity.
Package Them As Party Favors To Send Home With Guests
Use a cute see-through plastic gift bag to bag up a scoop or two of rocks as a parting gift.
Put Them Inside Easter Eggs for Easter Egg Hunts
Imagine the looks of surprised glee when the kids find the Easter eggs and open them up to find…rocks! Keep them guessing for a minute, then let them know the rocks are chocolate candy.
Add Them to Easter Baskets
They would look super cute and fun sprinkled throughout the basket on top of everything else. Or, you could buy them in clear tubes and just add the tube to the basket.
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Use the rocks to create landscaping (even a walking path) to the outside of your gingerbread house! They would also work well for other themed food decors.
Use For Themed Events
Birthday parties, playdates, baby showers, back to school, end of school, or any other excuse for a gathering with any kind of building or outdoor theme will benefit from using chocolate rock candy.
Some ideas could include Minecraft, dinosaurs, tractors, construction, farm, garden, golf, and more!
Party Centerpieces
They could be placed in a dish with a scoop for guests to take some. I think they would also look really nice spread around the table or nicely displayed as a decorative centerpiece!
Birthday Parties
Birthday parties are the perfect excuse to plan an event around a theme. You can add chocolate rock candy to any outdoor, sports, rock climbing, construction, animal, or building theme. They’re unique and perfect.
Use In Dirt Cake
Rocks belong in the dirt, right? Add some chocolate rocks to your next batch of dirt cake and keep your eaters guessing as to whether those are real rocks or not!
Garnish Yogurt Parfait
These candy pebbles will make a colorful and interesting garnish idea.
Great Addition To A Candy Bar Or Candy Buffet
Break out the candy bar because it’s time to celebrate! Any candy bar should include certain things: fruity candy such as Skittles or Spree, chewy candy, caramel candy, and chocolate candy. Chocolate rocks are a must-have addition to your candy buffet.
Top An Ice Cream Sundae
People add M&Ms and chocolate chips to ice cream all the time. Why not add something a little more interesting?
Fun Stocking Stuffers
Looking for more ideas to fill those Christmas stockings? Toss in a tube of chocolate rocks (and some freeze-dried ice cream too)!
Decorate Cookies, Brownies, Cakes, and Cupcakes
Pretty much any baked good can be improved with a few candy pebbles on top.
Put Them In Coffee Table Candy Dishes
Filled candy dishes are a warm, welcoming touch for guests. Put a dish out and fill it with these candy river rocks.
They’ll double as an interesting conversation piece and can sit out without going bad for up to 3 months (if you don’t eat them all first!).
Add Them To Edible Terrariums
When was the last time you made one of these? I’m guessing maybe never. Let your creative side out and make a homemade edible terrarium. Just don’t forget to include some rocks.
Fill Glass Jars And Use Them As Decoration
These look especially interesting on your kitchen counter by the backsplash or on a shelf for all to see. Instead of displaying seashells, you can display fake 
candy rocks!
Pretend to eat gravel, decorate a cake, make them the star of the party food table, or set them out as a guest offering they won’t forget. No matter how you use them, this chocolate gravel makes the perfect final touch. And I guarantee you’ll get questions about what they are and how to find them!
Where Can I Buy Chocolate Rocks?
The first time I saw chocolate rocks, they were in a science museum gift shop. Sounds pretty fitting, doesn’t it? They’re unique, interesting, and deliciously edible.
Since then, I have also seen them in candy stores and local toy stores. Plus, thanks to the explosion of products you can buy online, you can find a plethora of online candy shops that sell them, such as Amazon, Kimmie Candy, or Oh! Nuts. I love buying these candies in bulk because you can never have too many rocks!
Note: If you want to find varieties of chocolate rocks that are less common, you’ll likely only be able to find them online.
How Are Chocolate Rocks Made?
Sometimes half the fun of an item is in creating it yourself! Unfortunately, this is a difficult item to make by hand due to creating that colorful sugar coating that gives the “rocks” a…well, rock-like appearance.
What You Can Learn From Chocolate Rocks
While you may not be able to make an exact recreation, attempting to create them at home can lead to a better understanding of the world around you and the different ways that rocks form in life.
You can use chocolate to create a demonstration of the rock cycle, which is a process that regularly occurs over time. The “chocolate cycle” goes a little something like this.
How To Make Chocolate Igneous Rocks
Create the equivalent of magma by melting blocks of both white chocolate and dark chocolate (you can do this in the microwave or in a double boiler). Then make your lava “flow” as if it erupted from a volcano by pouring it onto a smooth surface and tilting it slightly. Allow your lava to cool, then enjoy your igneous “rock”!
How To Make Chocolate Sedimentary Chocolate Rocks
Use a cheese grater to mimic the harsh conditions of the Earth’s surface eroding away the “sediment”. Collect the shavings and press them down into a container. If they are in a baggie or enclosed piece of foil, you could even stand on them to get the necessary amount of force.
How to Make Chocolate Metamorphic Rocks
For this process, we need to use the oven to generate the heat necessary to create metamorphic rock. Take your sedimentary rock and put it in an oven-safe dish at 225 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove it and take a knife or spatula to fold the melted chocolate on itself. Let it cool to mimic the look of metamorphic rock.
Chocolate rocks are a fun and interesting candy option that will draw compliments and questions from anyone who sees them. Simply enjoy them when you want a chocolate treat or use them as the perfect finishing touch on a variety of projects. The rocks will be a fun touch, but all your friends and family already know that you ‘rock’!