Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe

If you love showy chocolate treats and crave a touch of Middle Eastern flair, you’ll swoon over the Dubai Chocolate Bar. This recipe layers silky milk chocolate, crunchy kataifi pastry, a decadent pistachio cream core, and a drizzle of white chocolate—resulting in a bar that’s visually stunning and absolutely irresistible. Each bite delivers a blend of textures and flavors worthy of a luxurious Dubai dessert shop!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Unforgettable Texture: Every bite of the Dubai Chocolate Bar delivers creamy chocolate, crispy pastry, and a dreamy pistachio center.
  • Showstopper Looks: This bar’s glossy chocolate shell, emerald-green filling, and artistic white chocolate drizzle make it bakery-beautiful—even for beginners.
  • Simple, Luxe Ingredients: With just a handful of globally inspired components, you’ll create a treat that feels extravagant but is surprisingly easy to make.
  • Perfect for Gifting or Entertaining: The Dubai Chocolate Bar slices cleanly and stores for weeks, making it ideal for special occasions or fabulous edible gifts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every component in the Dubai Chocolate Bar has a delicious job to do! These ingredients are both accessible and thoughtfully chosen—each one adds something unique to the texture, color, or rich flavor that makes this treat so memorable.

  • Unsalted butter or coconut oil: Lends richness and helps toast the kataifi pastry until buttery and crisp.
  • Kataifi pastry dough: This shredded filo dough brings a delightful crunch reminiscent of baklava—make sure it’s thawed if frozen.
  • Creamy pistachio butter or pistachio cream: The heart of the Dubai Chocolate Bar—its nutty, naturally green filling adds wow-factor and flavor.
  • Tahini: Deepens the nutty character and balances the sweetness with a delicate sesame note.
  • Kosher salt: Just a sprinkle sharpens every flavor and keeps the dessert from being too sweet.
  • White chocolate chips (with cocoa butter): Melt for an elegant “marbled” effect—choose a high-quality brand for best results.
  • Green food coloring (optional): For that signature pistachio green swirl—just a drop or two adds drama and fun.
  • Milk chocolate chips: Smooth, creamy, and ideal for building a stable shell around all that luscious filling—good-quality chips matter here!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about the Dubai Chocolate Bar is how easy it is to personalize, whether you want to play with flavors or accommodate different diets. Let’s get creative and make this recipe your own!

  • Nut Butter Swap: Try almond butter or hazelnut cream if pistachio isn’t your thing—or swirl two together for a unique twist.
  • Dark Chocolate Shell: Substitute dark chocolate chips for a sophisticated, less-sweet version with even more chocolate intensity.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and make sure your chocolate is dairy-free for a vegan-friendly treat.
  • Textural Add-Ins: Fold in chopped roasted pistachios or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for extra crunch and a gourmet finish.

How to Make Dubai Chocolate Bar

Step 1: Toast the Kataifi Pastry

Start by melting your butter or coconut oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the coarsely chopped kataifi pastry and cook, stirring often, until each strand turns golden-brown and irresistibly crispy—this takes about 8 to 10 minutes, and the toasty aroma tells you it’s ready. Transfer the kataifi to a bowl while it’s still hot for the next step.

Step 2: Mix the Pistachio Filling

While the kataifi is still warm, stir in your creamy pistachio butter, tahini, and a pinch of salt. Everything comes together into a glorious, nutty mixture that will become the soft heart of your Dubai Chocolate Bar. Set it aside while you prep the chocolate mold.

Step 3: Decorate the Mold with White Chocolate

Melt the white chocolate chips gently using a double boiler. If using, tint the melted chocolate with a drop of green food coloring for an Instagram-worthy swirl. Drizzle or “flick” this chocolate into your Dubai chocolate mold to make irregular, artistic patterns—don’t worry about being too perfect! Freeze the mold briefly to set the drizzle.

Step 4: Make the Chocolate Shell

Reserve a small handful of milk chocolate chips, then melt the remaining chips with your last tablespoon of butter over the double boiler. Stir in the reserved chocolate off the heat, letting it melt gently for a glossy, snappy finish. Spread a thin, even layer of chocolate aread the sides and bottom of the mold—this forms the decadent shell of the Dubai Chocolate Bar. Freeze the mold for about 10 minutes, until fully set.

Step 5: Fill, Seal, and Chill

Spoon in your pistachio-kataifi filling, pressing it into an even layer (an offset spatula makes this a cinch). Pour the rest of the melted chocolate over the top and spread until smooth—use a bench scraper or knife to level the surface and remove any extra. Now, just refrigerate until firm (about 40 minutes). Once set, unmold, trim the edges if you like, and get ready for rave reviews!

Pro Tips for Making Dubai Chocolate Bar

  • Kataifi Crunch Control: Toast the pastry until deeply golden—underdone kataifi will taste doughy rather than crunchy and caramelized.
  • Set Your Chocolate Shell: For a crisp bite and flawless unmolding, make sure each chocolate layer is fully set and cold before adding the molten filling or sealing the bar.
  • Color Like a Pro: Use gel food coloring for vibrant results in the white chocolate swirl—liquid food coloring can seize thin or delicate melts.
  • Shape Matters: Silicone chocolate bar molds make unmolding a breeze, but you can also line loaf pans with parchment for easy lifting if you don’t have a mold.

How to Serve Dubai Chocolate Bar

Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

To give your Dubai Chocolate Bar a bakery-couture finish, sprinkle on a few crushed pistachios or edible rose petals just before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of extra melted white chocolate will also catch the eye and complement those lush, nutty flavors.

Side Dishes

This showstopper bar is rich enough to shine on its own, but it’s divine alongside a little cup of Turkish or Arabic coffee. For a party-worthy platter, serve thin slices of the Dubai Chocolate Bar with ripe strawberries or tart mandarin segments for contrast and color.

Creative Ways to Present

For true “wow” factor, slice the Dubai Chocolate Bar into neat rectangles and arrange them in gift boxes layered with parchment paper. Or, for a dramatic dessert, stand whole bars upright on a platter or nestle slices among other Middle Eastern sweets like baklava and maamoul.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Dubai Chocolate Bar in an airtight container in the refrigerator—they’ll stay gloriously fresh and snappy for up to three weeks. Layer parchment between bars to prevent sticking or smudging.

Freezing

You can freeze the Dubai Chocolate Bar for longer storage! Wrap pieces tightly in plastic, place in a zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving—this helps preserve the chocolate shine and kataifi crunch.

Reheating

No need to reheat—this chocolate bar is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If it gets too cold and firm from the fridge, set pieces out for 10–15 minutes to soften slightly before slicing and serving.

FAQs

  1. Can I make Dubai Chocolate Bar without a special mold?

    Absolutely! If you don’t have a Dubai-style chocolate bar mold, simply line a small loaf pan with parchment, ensuring there’s enough overhang to lift out the set bar. The results will be just as gorgeous and easy to slice.

  2. What is kataifi pastry, and where can I find it?

    Kataifi is a shredded filo dough traditionally used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts for a crunchy, nest-like texture. You can find it in the freezer section of international or specialty grocery stores—just thaw before using.

  3. Does the pistachio cream have to be store-bought?

    Not at all! While a jar of pistachio butter or cream saves time, you can make your own by blending roasted pistachios with a touch of honey and a drizzle of oil until smooth.

  4. Can I serve Dubai Chocolate Bar to guests with allergies?

    The recipe is naturally vegetarian, egg-free, and can be made dairy-free by swapping in vegan chocolate and coconut oil. Be mindful of nut and sesame allergies—pistachio and tahini are key components, but you can substitute nut-free or seed-free butters if necessary.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a treat that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious, the Dubai Chocolate Bar belongs on your shortlist. Whether you’re sharing it at a celebration, packing it up as a handmade gift, or sneaking a piece with your afternoon coffee, it’s guaranteed to wow. Give it a try—and don’t be surprised if it becomes your signature dessert!

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Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe

Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 82 reviews
  • Author: Alvarez
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 2 (6×3-inch) bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Dubai-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of Dubai with this exquisite Dubai Chocolate Bar. A delightful combination of creamy pistachio butter, tahini, and milk chocolate, encased in a crunchy kataifi pastry shell, this dessert is a true luxury.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Crispy Kataifi Pastry Shell:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil, divided
  • 5 ounces coarsely chopped kataifi pastry dough (about 2 packed cups), thawed if frozen

Pistachio Cream Filling:

  • 1 (7- to 8-ounce) jar creamy pistachio butter or pistachio cream
  • 2 tablespoons well-stirred tahini
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Green Chocolate Layer:

  • 3 tablespoons white chocolate chips that contain cocoa butter, such as Guittard
  • 1 to 4 drops liquid or gel green food coloring (optional)

Milk Chocolate Coating:

  • 12 ounces good-quality milk chocolate chips (about 2 cups), divided

Instructions

  1. Crispy Kataifi Pastry Shell: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet, add kataifi pastry, and cook until golden-brown. Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Pistachio Cream Filling: Combine pistachio butter, tahini, and salt with the crispy pastry.
  3. Green Chocolate Layer: Melt white chocolate chips, add green food coloring, and drizzle into chocolate molds.
  4. Milk Chocolate Coating: Melt milk chocolate chips with butter, coat the molds, layer with pistachio cream, and top with remaining chocolate.
  5. Refrigerate until set, then remove from molds and trim if needed.

Notes

  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 299
  • Sugar: 20.9g
  • Sodium: 124.9mg
  • Fat: 19.8g
  • Saturated Fat: 11.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 27.6g
  • Fiber: 1.3g
  • Protein: 3.3g

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