Name: Dubai Chocolate Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup salt butter (melted); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional); 3/4 cup pistachio cream; 2 cups kataifi (toasted); 1-2 Tablespoons tahini (optional); 3/4 cup chocolate chips or chocolate melts

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Decadent, fudgy, and kissed with Middle Eastern flair these Dubai Chocolate Brownies are loaded with rich chocolate, pistachio cream, crispy kataifi, and topped off with more chocolate. These brownies combine an indulgent chocolate flavor with a hint of exotic elegance, making them a luxurious twist on a classic dessert.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that Dubai chocolate has been all the rage over the last year or two. Everything from Dubai chocolate bars and truffles to strawberry Dubai cups and parfait cups.

What is the viral Dubai Chocolate?

The viral Dubai chocolate is a bar of luxury milk chocolate filled with a mixture of creamy pistachio, shredded knafeh pastry, and tahini paste. Inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert, this bar features a rich, multi-layered flavor and satisfying crunchy texture.

Several months ago I tried buying all the ingredients I needed to some Dubai chocolate desserts but sadly my pistachio cream and kataifi got cancelled and I just forgot about it.

Fast forward several months and I found pistachio cream and kataifi and decided it was time to try again. I don’t make a lot with pistachios but I figured it was time to make a few new recipes.

One of the few things I’ve made with this nut is a tasty Pistachio Loaf Cake. I also don’t make a lot with phyllo dough but we do love Spanakopita every now and again.

Can I substitute the pistachio cream and kataifi?

So, you can use some subtitutions here but it’s going to affect the quality of the dessert. I’ve recently seen where people are using shredded wheat in place of the kataifi. It’s definitely cheaper but it doesn’t stay as crisp. For the pistachio cream you can use pistachio paste and add a little cream and powdered sugar to thin it out and sweetened it. You can use other nut butter spreads but you won’t get the classic green color or the same flavor.

Making these brownies was really very simple. While I made my favorite brownie recipe from scratch you can use a boxed brownie mix if you prefer.

After the brownies are baked the pistachio cream and kataifi mixture is made. Most recipes include a few tablespoons of tahini but I’m not a huge fan so I left it out. You can add 2 tablespoons of tahini in the pistachio cream if you like that additional flavor.

Finally a layer of chocolate is poured on top of the brownies. You could also make a chocolate ganache if you are looking for a softer chocolate topping.

Ingredients:

salted butter (or unsalted if you prefer but the salted butter cuts through the sweetness)
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
eggs
unsweetened cocoa powder
all purpose flour
baking powder
salt
pistachio cream
kataifi
chocolate chips or chocolate melts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the vanilla and eggs and beat well until combined. Add the cocoa powder and mix until well combined. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well then pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Remove the brownies from the oven and cool completely. In a small bowl combine the pistachio cream and kataifi. Add tahini if desired. Spread over top of the brownies and place in the freezer for 5 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips and pour over top of the pistachio mixture. Allow the chocolate to harden for 15 minutes then cut into squares.

These brownies were delicious. The actual brownie was rich and full of big chocolate flavor. The pistachio cream and kataifi layer had a subtle pistachio flavor with a ton of crunch. The chocolate on top added a nice richness.

Do I have to put chocolate on top?

The top of the brownies need to have something on them. I went with melted chocolate that hardened creating an easy way to eat the brownie. However, you could add a chocolate frosting or chocolate ganache on top if you prefer.

There are so many different flavors and textures going on in these brownies that it’s a taste explosion. I’m not sure this is something I would have made if it wasn’t so popular but I’m really glad I did because it’s a very unique dessert.

How do you store Dubai Brownies?

Store the brownies in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If refrigerated, take out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving.

If you’ve tried my Dubai Chocolate Brownies or any other recipe on Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can FOLLOW ME on:

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