If there is one flavor combo I will never, ever get tired of, it’s cookies and cream mixed with chocolate. It’s nostalgic, it’s a little indulgent, and it always hits the spot. While I’ve been deep in my rice cake era lately, I wanted to take that childhood classic “dirt pudding” and give it a fun twist that feels a bit lighter and crispier. This “Dirt” Rice Cake is the perfect transformation! You get that airy, crispy base topped with a fluffy chocolate clouds and, of course, the iconic gummy worms. It’s a snack that tastes like a total dessert but is quick enough for a late-night treat.
How to Make a “Dirt” Rice Cake
The process is super simple and comes together in just a few minutes. You’ll start by creating a lightened-up chocolate “pudding” layer by mixing Cool Whip with a bit of sugar-free chocolate pudding mix. This gives you that creamy, whipped texture without being overly heavy. Spread that right onto a chocolate rice cake—the chocolate-on-chocolate vibe is essential here!
For the topping, you’ll melt down some chocolate and spread it over the whipped layer. If you’re like me and love a little bit of a project, you can pop the whole thing in the fridge (after adding your toppings) for a bit to let that chocolate set into a snappy shell. To finish it off, we’re going full nostalgia with crushed Oreos for the “dirt” and gummy worms for the final touch. A pinch of flaky sea salt at the very end really ties the sweet and salty flavors together.
Tips and Best Practices
- Chocolate melting: Melt your chocolate in short 30-second intervals in the microwave to make sure it stays smooth and doesn’t burn. You can add a teensy bit of coconut oil to make the chocolate super smooth and shiny.
- Texture preference: If you want a crispy chocolate shell, let it sit in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes; otherwise, eat it immediately for a melty, gooey experience (my preference).
- Rice cake freshness: Make sure your rice cakes are fresh and crunchy, as they provide the structural base for all those toppings. If you’re planning to eat these later, don’t assemble until ready to eat.
- Gummy worm placement: Press the gummy worms into the melted chocolate before it sets so they stay perfectly in place.
People Also Ask
Can I use regular chocolate pudding?
You definitely can, but using the pudding mix stirred into Cool Whip keeps the texture fluffier and more stable on top of the rice cake. If you’re going to just use chocolate pudding, I recommend reducing the amount of milk you use (about 2/3) to make the pudding so that the mixture is thicker.
Is this gluten-free?
It easily can be! Just make sure your chocolate rice cakes and cookies (like GF Oreos) are certified gluten-free.
Can I make these ahead of time?
They are best enjoyed shortly after making them so the rice cake stays crunchy, though they’ll hold up in the fridge for an hour or two if you’re waiting for the chocolate to set. Otherwise, the rice cake can get soft after a bit from the toppings, so you can create the topping separately and just assemble when you’re ready to enjoy.
Other Rice Cake Treats
If you’re looking for ideas that turn rice cakes into fun, delicious treats you’ll want again and again, I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:
- Rice Cake Muddy Buddies
- Mango Sticky Rice Cakes
- Cookies and Cream Rice Cake Muddy Buddies
- Fluffernutter Pretzel Crunch Bars
- Banana Crunch Pops
Easy “Dirt” Rice Cake Snack
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate rice cake
- 1/4 cup Cool Whip
- 1 tsp sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
- 1 tbsp melted chocolate about 1.5 tbsp chocolate chips
- 1/2 Oreo chopped
- 3 gummy worms
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine your Cool Whip and the sugar-free chocolate pudding mix, stirring them together until the color is even and the mixture is light and fluffy. Take your chocolate rice cake and spread the pudding mixture evenly across the top, making sure to get it close to the edges.
- Next, place your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it is completely melted and smooth.
- Carefully spread the melted chocolate over the Cool Whip layer. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on your crushed Oreo pieces to create the “dirt” look and arrange your three gummy worms on top.
- Finish the snack with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt to help balance the sweetness.
- You can enjoy this immediately if you prefer a warm, melty chocolate topping, or you can place it in the refrigerator for about 15 to 20 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden into a crispy shell.
