Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe
Recipe Overview
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Preparation time: 20 minutes plus setting time
Cooking time: 18 minutes
Makes 2x500g/1.1lb large chocolate bars
Ingredients Needed
- 150g/5ozs kataifi pastry, chopped and separated
- 60g/2ozs butter
- 360g/12.7ozs pistachio cream
- 20g/0.8oz tahini
- Fat pinch salt
- 15g/0.5oz pink chocolate (I used Wilton red candy melts)
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 15g/0.5oz green chocolate (I used Wilton green candy melts)
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 500g/1.1lbs dark or milk chocolate
Step-By-Step Instructions
Video Guide
Want to see how Dubai Chocolate is made? I made a short video.
Step 1
First make the kataifi filling using a large, high sided frying pan. If you have a small frypan I'd recommend doing this in two lots, halve the butter and kataifi and cook separately to ensure that it is completely toasted. In a very large frying pan with high sides melt the butter on medium heat and add the kataifi pastry breaking it up as you add it in. Toast the kataifi pastry well all over. This will take around 10 minutes to toast the whole batch. This is very important to ensure that you get the requisite crunch. In a large bowl mix the pistachio cream, tahini and salt and then add in the kataifi.
Step 2
Place both molds on a tray. Melt the pink chocolate in one bowl and then stir in the coconut oil. With a teaspoon flick chocolate over the mold lightly making a splash pattern. The do the same with the green chocolate, melting it and mixing it with the coconut oil and then splashing it over the pink. Allow to set in the fridge.
Step 3
Melt the dark or milk chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler until smooth. Spoon it into the molds and then let the excess drip off but making sure that the chocolate goes all the way up the sides and doesn't pool too much in the corners. Scrape the sides of the excess chocolate and let set in the fridge.
Step 4
Spoon in the kataifi pistachio mixture into both molds and smooth over evenly with an angled spatula. Spoon over the remaining chocolate and smooth this over with the spatula. If you have a chocolate scrape make sure to scrape the chocolate from the edges. Allow to set completely. Then unmold and enjoy!
Where to buy Fix Dubai Chocolate Bars
On a recent trip, I had a layover in Dubai Airport and managed to visit the recently opened shop in Dubai Airport. Please read my Fix Dessert Chocolatier post for a comparison between this recipe, the Fix Chocolate Bar, and the Lindt Dubai style chocolate bars.
Personal Note
Sometimes viral items aren't worth the hype and sometimes they are and this kataifi pastry chocolate is absolutely worth it and is so unique and delicious. The crunch of the pastry makes it addictive eating. I would take a bite and then come back for more and then more. Speaking of putting things in mouths, I was at a lunch recently and was seated next to the restaurant owner. He was quite friendly and obviously had done very well for himself. We were chatting about the history of the restaurant which is has been on the Sydney scene for many years. Then the topic got onto social media. The restaurant has an Instagram account but honestly it's not great. Perhaps because their patrons are what they would call "high net worth individuals" so they may not need to promote it much (although in this economy I think you would!). I said it must be nice when people tag them in pictures and reels because it's all done for them and all they have to do is repost it.
"I don't even understand why anyone would take photos of their meal, it seems stupid. What a waste of time!" he said shaking his head, downturned edges of his mouth showing staunch disapproval. I laughed because of course that's exactly what I had been doing at lunch while sitting right next to him.
And the instant it came out of his mouth he realised that he had just said. A silence hung in the air, heavy as a grey raincloud. He looked down and closed his eyes tightly and let out a slow breath.
"Would you please excuse me?" he said quietly and rushed off to the bathroom where he stayed for about 10 minutes before dislodging his foot from his mouth and making the rounds. I said a quick goodbye but I don't think we were meant to be friends, or even acquaintances!
So tell me Dear Reader, has anyone ever had a foot in mouth situation with you? Have you ever tried the Dubai chocolate bar?
This post contains affiliate links to buy chocolate molds and pistachio cream. These help earn me a small commission at no added cost to you.