Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche and Dark Chocolate

Plain store-bought rice cakes get a major upgrade with dulce de leche and dark chocolate. It’s a heavenly treat that requires zero baking skills.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Updated March 19, 2023
Micah Siva
Rice Cakes with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Broken in Half, Surrounded by Bowl of Dulce de Leche, a Spoonful of Dulce de Leche, and a Bowl of Flaky Salt

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

Want to satisfy your craving for something salty, sweet, and crunchy? This quick and easy no-bake dessert has it all! Top a crunchy rice cake with dulce de leche and dip it into melted dark chocolate. A hearty sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes it into new heights. This reminds me of my favorite caramel and biscuit chocolate bar, Twix! 

This trending treat originated in the kitchen of Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen, and has become a social media sensation. Viewers, like me, have since shared their unique spin on her classic peanut butter and chocolate combination. No matter the spin, it’s five-star reviews across the board just like this recipe! 

What is Dulce de Leche?

Dulce de Leche is a sweet and creamy caramel-like sauce from Latin America. Unlike caramel, it’s not made by caramelizing sugar, but rather by slowly cooking sweetened milk until it becomes thick and spreadable.  

If you love dulce de leche, try cajeta—it’s made with goat’s milk for an extra twist of funky flavor. Both are widely available at grocery stores, but you can also DIY by simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk in your slow cooker for a few hours. If you can, buy a brand that uses just milk and sugar. Two popular brands are Eagle Brand and Nestlé's La Lechera.

Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Surrounded by a Bowl of Flaky Salt and a Bowl of Dulce de Leche

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

Dark Chocolate is Best 

Use a dark chocolate for this recipe—the bitterness helps balance the sweetness of the dulce de leche and complements the sea salt. Chocolate chips are easiest to use, but if using chocolate bars, chop them into small pieces so that they melt quickly and evenly.  

The fastest (and easiest!) way to melt chocolate is in the microwave. Do 30-second increments, stirring well after each time, until the chocolate is fully melted. Add coconut oil to help thin the chocolate for easier dipping. It also creates a “magic shell” that freezes solid. 

Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water—it’s called a double boiler. Don’t let the simmering water touch the bottom of the bowl or get into the chocolate. It’ll seize or burn the chocolate. 

How to Make It Your Own

I took a viral idea and made these my own. You can too. Have fun with it!

  • Top your rice cakes with chopped nuts, seeds, or toasted coconut.
  • Experiment with different spreads, like coconut butter, cookie butter, or even tahini.
  • Use bittersweet, semi-sweet, milk, or even white chocolate.
Stack of Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Broken in Half

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

The Best Treats Are So Easy to Make

Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche and Dark Chocolate

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 mins
Total Time 11 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 4 rice cakes

Ingredients

  • 4 plain unsalted rice cakes

  • 1/2 cup store-bought dulce de leche

  • 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt, plus more for garnish

  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (any kind)

Method

  1. Layer the rice cakes:

    Line a small baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Spread about 2 tablespoons dulce de leche on each rice cake, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the outer edges. Place them on the baking sheet and sprinkle each with a tiny pinch of salt.

    Tip

    Is your dulce de leche very runny? Pop the rice cakes in the freezer while you melt the chocolate to help it firm up a bit.

    Rice Cakes with Dulce de Leche and a Bowl with Dulce de Leche on Parchment Paper on a Baking Sheet

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  2. Melt the chocolate:

    Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each time, until fully melted.

    Bowl of Chocolate Chips for Rice Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  3. Dip the rice cakes:

    Dip each rice cake (only the side with the dulce de leche) in the melted chocolate. Return them onto the baking sheet and sprinkle with more salt, if you’d like.

    Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche Dipped in Dark Chocolate

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  4.  Freeze:

    Pop the rice cakes in the freezer for about 10 minutes, until the chocolate hardens. Scarf it down immediately! 

    These treats are best eaten the day of, but you can make extra and keep them frozen for your future happy self! Just make sure to wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and stack them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 week in the freezer. 

    Loved the recipe? Leave us stars below! 

    Tray of Rice Cakes with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Sprinkled with Flaky Salt

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
    Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche + Dark Chocolate Broken in Half and Stacked

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
535 Calories
25g Fat
73g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 535
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Sodium 387mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 73g 27%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 57g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 292mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.