Homemade Easy Dubai Chocolate Bar, freshly made and ready to serve

Easy Dubai Chocolate Bar

The Dubai chocolate bar earned its viral status for a reason: shatteringly crisp kataifi pastry folded into pistachio cream, sealed inside a thick milk chocolate shell. Break it open and the filling stays just soft enough to pull apart. That contrast is the whole point.

The technique is straightforward — toast, melt, layer, chill. No candy thermometer, no special equipment beyond a standard loaf mold. White chocolate carries the pistachio paste and keeps the filling smooth, while the milk chocolate shell gives you that satisfying snap on the first bite. Make it ahead; it only needs 30 minutes in the fridge to set.

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An easy take on the Dubai chocolate bar that lives up to the hype. Toasted kataifi nestled in pistachio-white chocolate cream, then sealed inside a milk chocolate shell. The filling stays soft and slightly yielding even after chilling. One bar makes enough to share — if you feel like it.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 1 bar (22x10 cm mold)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 3800

Ingredients
  

  • 7.75 oz milk chocolate (about 220 g; good-quality, such as Valrhona)
  • 4.25 oz white chocolate (about 120 g; good-quality, such as Valrhona)
  • 3.5 oz kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) (about 100 g; pull apart into small pieces before cooking)
  • 3.5 oz pistachio paste (about 100 g; unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
  • 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter (about 50 g)

Equipment

  • 22x10 cm (9x4 inch) chocolate bar mold or loaf pan
  • Skillet
  • Double boiler or heatproof bowl
  • Offset spatula

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the kataifi pieces and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes until every strand is golden and crisp. Remove from the heat and let cool completely on a plate.
    3.5 oz kataifi (shredded phyllo dough), 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  2. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, stir in the pistachio paste until fully combined, then fold in the cooled toasted kataifi. Set this filling aside.
    7.75 oz milk chocolate, 4.25 oz white chocolate, 3.5 oz pistachio paste
  3. Melt the milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring until glossy and fluid. Pour half of the melted milk chocolate into the mold and use an offset spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom and up the sides, creating a complete shell. Transfer to the freezer for 3 minutes to set firm.
  4. Spoon the pistachio-kataifi filling into the chilled chocolate shell, spreading it in an even layer and pressing it gently with the back of a spoon so it sits flush and compact.
  5. Pour the remaining melted milk chocolate over the filling and smooth the surface flat with the offset spatula, sealing the bar completely. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until the shell is fully set. For a slightly soft, yielding center, let the bar sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before unmolding and slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 3800kcalCarbohydrates: 350gProtein: 55gFat: 240gSaturated Fat: 110gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 210mgFiber: 12gSugar: 280g

Notes

If the milk chocolate thickens while you work, set the bowl back over the hot water for 30 seconds to loosen it. Store the bar in the fridge for up to 5 days, wrapped tightly.
You might also like our The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Step-by-step preparation of Easy Dubai Chocolate Bar

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3 Comments

  1. Megan1992 says:

    4 stars
    made this yesterday and my kids actually asked for seconds which literally never happens. the pistachio paste layer is so good. definitely making it again

  2. 5 stars
    took it to work and everyone wanted the recipe. i used natural almond butter instead because thats what i had and it worked perfect. SO easy

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