This viral sweet has been nicknamed “Dubai chocolate” in reference to the sweets produced in the city known as the “Pearl of the Persian Gulf.” Recognizable for their luxurious appearance, bold color and flavor, these chocolates can be made with various fillings (dates, Middle Eastern spices, cotton candy, and even edible gold). However, the most viral recipe is made with milk chocolate and a filling of pistachio cream mixed with crispy kataifi pastry.
This homemade dessert is pure magic, and it’s been blowing up on Instagram and TikTok. Best of all? You can easily make it in your own kitchen
The Origin of Dubai Chocolate
This viral treat was born thanks to a pregnancy craving. Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian chocolatier and founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, was expecting her second child when she began craving a nostalgic Middle Eastern dessert from her childhood: knafeh.
This beloved dessert is made with kataifi noodles soaked in syrup and topped with gooey cheese. So, she created a version using this mixture as a filling and coated it in chocolate, and it quickly went viral on Instagram and TikTok.
Hamouda gave the concept a modern, chocolatey twist by turning that flavor profile into a candy bar: kataifi mixed with pistachio cream, all encased in smooth, melted chocolate. Her creation quickly gained traction on TikTok and Instagram, and soon, people around the world were hooked.
Today, you can find many variations of Dubai Chocolate sold in specialty shops, often featuring unique fillings and luxe finishes. But if you want to try the viral original, here’s how to make it yourself.
How to Make Dubai Chocolate at Home
Ingredients
- 250g (about 9 oz) milk chocolate or baking chocolate
- 75g (about 2.6 oz) kataifi pastry (find it in specialty or Middle Eastern stores)
- 50g (about 1.8 oz) unsalted butter
- 150g (about 5.3 oz) shelled pistachios
- 50g (about 1.8 oz) granulated or powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt the chocolate slowly in the microwave or using a double boiler (bain-marie) to avoid burning it. Pour two-thirds of the melted chocolate into a rectangular mold lined with parchment paper, spreading evenly to coat the bottom and sides.
- Chill the chocolate in the fridge for about 20 minutes until set.
- Blend the pistachios with sugar to make a thick paste. Keep the remaining melted chocolate warm. Add a bit of butter and a splash of vanilla extract to the pistachio paste for creaminess.
- Sauté the kataifi pastry in a pan with some butter and sugar until lightly golden and crisp. Mix this into the pistachio cream.
- Layer the pistachio-kataifi mixture into the chocolate mold, then pour the rest of the melted chocolate over the top to seal it. Chill again in the fridge for another 20 minutes.
- Unmold, slice, and let it come to room temperature slightly before serving. Your homemade Dubai Chocolate is now ready to impress!
This homemade delight is not only stunning to look at, but it’s also a mind-blowing combination of flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for guests, a party, or your own sweet indulgence, Dubai Chocolate is a recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.