Rice Cake with Peanut Butter and Chocolate has taken TikTok by storm, and for good reason! This delightful combination transforms a simple rice cake into an irresistibly crunchy, creamy, and chocolaty treat. Imagine a perfectly crisp rice cake, generously spread with rich peanut butter, elegantly drizzled with melted chocolate, and finished with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt to elevate every bite. It’s not just a snack; it’s a moment of pure bliss, incredibly easy to prepare, and a fantastic way to satisfy your sweet cravings without much fuss. Dive into the world of this viral sensation and discover how effortlessly you can create your own batch of these addictive rice cake masterpieces.
Author’s Note
Elevate Your Snack Time with a Simple Twist!
A few months ago, my sister shared a viral TikTok video that introduced me to the concept of this amazing snack. It featured a large rice cake generously topped with peanut butter and a beautifully hardened chocolate shell. Her immediate response was a text, “Make me this?!”, and I knew I had to give it my own unique spin.
My goal was to create a version that was not only delicious but also more convenient and perfect for any time of day, especially as an after-school snack for kids or a quick pick-me-up for adults. Instead of the large, sometimes cumbersome rice cakes, I opted for smaller, mini caramel-flavored rice crisps. The caramel adds an incredible depth of flavor that complements the peanut butter and chocolate perfectly, making each bite an unforgettable experience. This adaptation makes them easier to handle, more portion-controlled, and even more satisfying. It’s a simple change that makes a big difference, transforming a popular trend into a household favorite!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Rice Cake Snack
Crafting these delectable rice cake treats requires just a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Notes & Tips |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Melting Wafers (Ghirardelli® or Guittard® recommended) | The choice of chocolate is paramount for an exceptional flavor and smooth melt. While dark chocolate is my personal favorite for its rich, intense taste that beautifully balances the sweetness, feel free to use your preferred variety—milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, or semi-sweet for a classic balance. High-quality melting wafers ensure a superior texture and flavor in your chocolate shell. |
| Caramel Rice Crisps (mini or large) | Caramel-flavored rice cakes add a delightful sweetness and a subtle caramel note that elevates this snack to another level. However, if caramel isn’t your preference or readily available, any sweet rice crisp will work wonderfully. Plain rice cakes offer a neutral base, allowing the peanut butter and chocolate to shine. Both mini and large sizes can be used, depending on whether you prefer bite-sized treats or a more substantial snack. |
| Creamy Peanut Butter | Opt for a creamy peanut butter that you genuinely enjoy. Its smooth texture is ideal for spreading evenly across the rice cakes, providing a rich, nutty foundation. While creamy is recommended for ease, if you love a textural contrast, a natural crunchy peanut butter could also be an interesting choice. Ensure it’s not too oily, as this can affect the chocolate’s setting. |
| Coconut Oil (or Vegetable Oil) | A small amount of coconut oil or vegetable oil is the secret to achieving a beautifully smooth and easily spreadable melted chocolate. It thins the chocolate slightly, preventing it from becoming too thick and clumpy, which ensures an even coating and a satisfying snap when hardened. Use refined coconut oil if you don’t want a coconut flavor, or vegetable oil for a completely neutral option. |
| Flaky Sea Salt (optional but highly recommended) | A delicate pinch of flaky sea salt is the perfect finishing touch. It provides a burst of salty contrast that enhances the sweetness of the chocolate and peanut butter, creating that irresistible salty-sweet flavor profile everyone loves. Don’t underestimate the power of this simple addition! |
Quick Tip: The Golden Rule of Chocolate
For truly exceptional results, the quality of your chocolate directly impacts the overall flavor and texture of your rice cake treats. Investing in premium chocolate melting wafers, such as those from Ghirardelli® or Guittard®, makes a significant difference. High-quality chocolate melts more smoothly, resulting in a glossy, rich coating that hardens perfectly without becoming brittle. Cheaper brands often contain a higher wax content, which can lead to a less flavorful, sometimes dull, and waxier finish. Always choose chocolate you would enjoy eating on its own – your taste buds will thank you!
Crafting Your Perfect Rice Cake with Peanut Butter and Chocolate: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these viral rice cake snacks is incredibly simple and requires no baking! Just follow these straightforward steps and pro tips for a delightful treat every time.
- Prepare Your Workspace for Seamless Assembly: Start by lining a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This crucial step prevents the sticky chocolate from adhering to the pan and makes cleanup an absolute breeze. Having your workspace ready ensures a smooth and efficient process once the chocolate is melted.
- Master the Art of Melting Chocolate Slowly and Carefully: Achieving perfectly melted chocolate is key. Place your chocolate melting wafers and coconut oil in a heat-safe bowl (glass or ceramic is ideal, avoid plastic for microwaving chocolate). Microwave in short, controlled bursts, typically 20-second intervals. After each burst, remove the bowl and stir the chocolate vigorously for at least 15 seconds. The residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate, preventing it from scorching or seizing. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth, glossy, and completely melted. Patience here yields the best results.
- Protect Your Chocolate from Seizing: Chocolate and water are not friends! Even a tiny drop of liquid (including steam) can cause melted chocolate to “seize,” turning it into a thick, gritty, unworkable paste. Ensure your bowl, spoon, and any utensils used are completely dry. Work in a dry environment and cover the bowl loosely if there’s any chance of condensation.
- Always Opt for Heat-Safe Bowls: When melting chocolate, especially in the microwave, it’s always best to use glass or ceramic bowls. Plastic bowls can sometimes retain heat unevenly, which can lead to localized scorching of the chocolate or leach unwanted chemicals into your food. Heat-safe bowls ensure an even melt and safe handling.
- Assemble Your Delicious Rice Cakes: Once your chocolate is perfectly melted and your workspace is prepared, it’s time for the fun part! Arrange your mini rice cakes on the lined sheet pan. Using a small spoon or knife, spread about one teaspoon of creamy peanut butter evenly across the top of each rice cake. Then, take another spoon and drizzle a generous amount of melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, ensuring it covers the top surface. Repeat for all rice cakes.
- Finish with a Flourish: If you’re adding flaky sea salt, sprinkle it over the still-wet chocolate immediately after drizzling. This ensures the salt adheres beautifully as the chocolate begins to set.
- Allow to Harden: Let your finished rice cakes sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely hardened and set. For a quicker set, you can carefully place the sheet pan in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Once firm, they’re ready to be enjoyed!
Creative Variations to Switch Things Up
Unleash Your Creativity: Endless Flavor Possibilities!
The beauty of this rice cake recipe lies in its incredible versatility. Feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings to customize your snack to your heart’s content!
- Embrace the Salty-Sweet Perfection: For those who adore the classic salty-sweet combination, a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt before the chocolate sets is an absolute must. The subtle crunch and briny notes perfectly cut through the richness of the peanut butter and chocolate, creating an exquisite flavor contrast that’s truly addictive.
- Go Big with Large Rice Cakes: If mini rice cakes are hard to find or if you’re craving a more substantial snack, simply opt for large rice cakes. The process remains the same, but you’ll have a bigger canvas for your peanut butter and chocolate creation. These are great for a more satisfying hungerbuster.
- Explore Different Rice Cake Flavors: While caramel rice cakes are a fantastic choice, don’t stop there! Try chocolate-flavored rice cakes for an indulgent double-chocolate experience, or apple cinnamon rice cakes for a warm, spiced base. The possibilities are endless!
- Craft an Apple Cinnamon Dream: For a delightful twist, use apple cinnamon rice cakes as your base. Instead of peanut butter, spread creamy almond butter, then drizzle with melted white chocolate. Before the white chocolate hardens, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon for a cozy and comforting snack that evokes the flavors of autumn. You can even add a few thinly sliced apple pieces for extra freshness!
- Add Crunch with Toppings: Beyond sea salt, consider adding other crunchy toppings. Chopped nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans), shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of granola can add extra texture and flavor.
- Nut Butter Alternatives: Not a fan of peanut butter or have an allergy? No problem! Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or even a creamy Biscoff spread can be wonderful substitutes, each offering a unique flavor profile.
Storage Solutions for Your Rice Cake Delights
Keeping Your Rice Cake with Peanut Butter Fresh
Proper storage ensures your delicious rice cake snacks remain fresh, crisp, and ready to enjoy whenever a craving strikes. Here’s how to store them for optimal longevity and taste:
- Room Temperature Storage: For immediate enjoyment or short-term storage, keep your finished rice cakes in an airtight container at room temperature. To prevent them from sticking together, layer them with sheets of parchment or wax paper in between. This method helps maintain their crisp texture and keeps the chocolate from melting or becoming tacky. They will typically stay fresh for 3-5 days.
- Chilled Perfection: Many people, myself included, find these rice cakes absolutely delightful when chilled. Storing them in the refrigerator in an airtight container will give the chocolate an extra snap and a wonderfully cool, refreshing sensation. Again, separate layers with parchment paper. Enjoy them straight from the fridge for a firmer texture!
- Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment: To extend the life of your rice cake treats, they can be easily frozen. First, place the finished and hardened rice cakes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 30 minutes, or until they are fairly solid. This prevents them from sticking together when moved. Once partially frozen, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, layering with parchment paper if necessary. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Note on Frozen Chocolate Bloom: It’s common for chocolate to develop a white or grayish film on its surface after freezing and thawing. This is known as “chocolate bloom” and is a natural process caused by the cocoa butter separating. While it might look different, rest assured that the chocolate is still perfectly safe to eat and its flavor will not be significantly impacted.
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Rice Cake with Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Chelsea Lords
15
30
45
16 mini rice cakes
Video
Equipment
- Sheet pan (approximately 15″ x 10″)
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Heat-safe bowl for melting chocolate
Ingredients
-
1 bag caramel rice cakes (approximately 16 total mini rice cakes) -
16 teaspoons creamy peanut butter -
1/3 cup chocolate melting wafers (milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate, high quality preferred) -
3/4 teaspoon coconut oil (solid, or vegetable oil, to thin chocolate) -
Flaky sea salt (optional, for a salty-sweet balance)
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your workspace. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent your rice cakes from sticking and make cleanup incredibly easy once the chocolate has set. Set this aside.
- Carefully arrange all 16 mini rice cakes onto the prepared sheet pan, leaving a little space between each. Then, take a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter for each rice cake and spread it smoothly over the entire top surface. Aim for an even layer to ensure a balanced flavor in every bite.
- In a heat-safe bowl (preferably glass or ceramic), combine your chocolate melting wafers and the solid coconut oil. Microwave this mixture in short bursts, typically 20 seconds at a time. After each burst, remove the bowl and stir the chocolate vigorously for 15 seconds. Continue this process until the chocolate is fully melted and completely smooth, taking care not to burn it. The coconut oil helps achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
- Once the chocolate is perfectly melted, use a spoon to carefully drizzle and coat the tops of each peanut butter-covered rice cake. Ensure each rice cake is generously covered with the rich chocolate. If you desire, immediately sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the wet chocolate before it begins to set. This enhances the sweet and savory notes. Allow the coated rice cakes to harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or you can place the pan in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to speed up the setting process. Once the chocolate is firm, they are ready to be savored!
Recipe Notes & Expert Tips
- If mini rice cakes aren’t available, or if you simply prefer a larger snack, feel free to use standard-sized rice cakes with peanut butter. You can use either plain or caramel-flavored rice cakes as your base. Just adjust the amount of peanut butter and chocolate accordingly.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different rice cake flavors. While caramel is a personal favorite for its delightful sweetness, chocolate rice cakes offer an indulgent double-chocolate treat, perfect for serious chocoholics.
- For an autumn-inspired apple-cinnamon rice cake variation, replace peanut butter with creamy almond butter and use a white chocolate coating. Before the white chocolate hardens, sprinkle a touch of ground cinnamon for an aromatic and flavorful twist! You could even finely dice some apple and mix it into the almond butter layer.
- Consider adding extra toppings for texture and visual appeal, such as chopped nuts, sprinkles, shredded coconut, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce over the chocolate.
Optimal Storage for Maximum Freshness: Store your prepared rice cakes at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. For an even more satisfying crunch, they are also delicious when chilled in the fridge. To prevent sticking, place coated rice cakes in single layers, separated by wax or parchment paper. To freeze for longer preservation, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze for approximately 30 minutes until firm. Once partially frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag and return to the freezer for up to 3 months. Note that chocolate may develop a white bloom when thawed from freezing, but it remains perfectly safe to eat.
Nutrition
Calories: 55 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 3.4 g |
Protein: 1.4 g |
Fat: 4.2 g |
Cholesterol: 0.2 mg |
Sodium: 23.1 mg |
Fiber: 0.5 g |
Sugar: 1.8 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation and is based on estimated values. Actual nutritional content may vary depending on specific ingredients and preparation methods.