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If you are here, you must have heard of the viral Dubai Chocolate Strawberry cup that can easily to made at home with a few simple ingredients. Made with fresh strawberries, crunchy pistachio cream with Kataifi, and layered with melted chocolate. They are so tasty and can be made in just 20 minutes.
I would like to think everyone has heard of the Viral Dubai chocolate Bar, that’s been quite the craze for the past year now, and for good reason. It is mega delicious. But then there is the Dubai Chocolate Strawberries which is an adaptation of the original dubai chocolate bars. They are usually served in a cup, which I love and prefer over the actual chocolate bars!
Most local dessert places now make these Dubai strawberry cups, but the prices range between $15-$25 per cup. Why pay that much when you can easily make it home? All you need is fresh strawberries, pistachio cream, shredded Phyllo dough (kataifi), and chocolate. I will be showing you how to make them whenever you want while you save some money. Thank me later.
Recipe Overview
What is Dubai Chocolate Strawberries
Dubai chocolate strawberries, also called Dubai chocolate strawberry cups, are a fun viral dessert that’s been all over social media lately. They’re made with fresh strawberries, a crunchy base of shredded phyllo dough (kataifi) mixed with pistachio cream or butter, and topped with melted chocolate. All the layers are stacked in a cup for a rich, crunchy, sweet, and slightly salty treat inspired by the famous Dubai chocolate bar.
Before you get started
- If you can’t get your hands on pistachio butter or pistachio cream, or maybe you just prefer making them from scratch, then you can check out my posts on how to make pistachio cream or pistachio butter.
- For the Kataifi. Once shredded, 4 ounces will be about 2 cups before toasting. Once toasted, you will get about 1.5 cups. If you like the pistachio layer to be thicker and more crunchy, then use more kataifi. 5-6 ounces will be fine. Do not worry about using too much kataifi because you can always just adjust it to your liking by adding a bit more pistachio cream or pistachio butter.
- Any cups or mason jars you have on hand will work.
Common Questions
No. I do not recommend using frozen strawberries. You need to use fresh strawberries for this recipe.
Dubai strawberries taste sweet and chocolatey with a little crunch from the crispy phyllo and nuts. They’re creamy, crunchy, and fruity all at once, like a fancy chocolate-covered strawberry with extra crunch and flavor.
You can cover the cups or jars and place them in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Technically yes. But I do not really recommend freezing them because once thawed, the strawberries will be mushy and the consistency will be off and not so fresh. But it will still be edible.
Yes. You can easily make it vegan. You will need to use dairy-free chocolate chips, vegan butter or use coconut oil, plus make sure the pistachio cream doesn’t have any dairy. If you can’t find any that are dairy-free, then make my pistachio cream recipe made without any dairy.
Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh strawberries, halved or quartered – about 2.5 cups
- 1 tablespoon butter, or 2 tablespoons, unsalted
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 4 ounces kataifi, If frozen, thaw first. About 2 cups chopped or 1.5 cups toasted *see note
- 3/4 cup pistachio cream , or pistachio butter * see note
- 1/3 crushed pistachios, plus 2 tbsp to garnish
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate * see notes
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Chop the 1 pound Fresh strawberries and 4 ounces kataifi. Set the strawberries on the side.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the 1 tablespoon butter and add the shredded phyllo dough (kataifi). Cook for 5-7 minutes and toss regularly until it is nicely toasted and brown. Transfer the toasted Kataifi into a dish or bowl.
- (Before you add the pistachio cream here, decide if you want your filling to be more on the thick side or runny side. I like mine runny a bit (less kataifi). If you want it more crunchy, start with 1/2 cup of pistachio cream and then add more if you like. Add the 3/4 cup pistachio cream and 1 tablespoon tahini. Toss well to coat and combine.
- Add the 1/3 crushed pistachios and mix again to combine. If you aren't adding any crushed pistachio, go to the next step.
- In a bowl, add the 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Microwave at 30-second increments until fully melted. Mix until smooth.
- Start layering the strawberry cup. First, add a layer of chopped strawberries, then add a layer of the crunchy pistachio kataifi, and then a layer of drizzled melted chocolate. Repeat the layers one more time.
- Finally, you can top with some crushed pistachios or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Serve and Enjoy.
Notes
- This is a rich, high-calorie dessert, meant as a treat for an occasional indulgence.
- The cups are large and can be shared by 2.
- Serving: This makes 2 generous cups. Or you can make 3 moderate-sized cups; you can always use more strawberries if you like.
- Kataifi: If you think you will like the pistachio layer to be thicker with more crunch, use 5 ounces of kataifi.
- Pistachio Cream: I used 3/4 cup, but if you like it less runny, start with 1/2 cup and see how the texture is first before you add the remaining 1/4 cup.
- Chocolate: 3/4 cup is good enough for 2 servings. If you like it even richer with extra chocolate, use 1 cup.
- If Pistachio butter is all you have, what you can do is melt about 1/3 cup of white chocolate and mix it in with the pistachio butter. This will get you really close to getting the flavor of pistachio cream. Many stores now have pistachio cream, and you can also find it on Amazon.
- You must thaw the kataifi first if it is frozen.
- Don’t use over-ripe and mushy strawberries.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients and notes
Here are the ingredients I used to make the Dubai chocolate strawberries, and some tips you can work around to make it your own.
- Butter: I used butter to toast the kataifi. You can also use any neutral-tasting oil or coconut oil instead.
- Tahini: This will give it a nice nutty taste. Don’t have it? Don’t worry. It is not a deal breaker.
- Kataifi: This is pretty much shredded phyllo dough that is used in making Middle Eastern desserts. They are usually found in the frozen section and just need to be thawed ahead when ready to use. You can also now buy this on Amazon. Just search for “kataifi”.
- Pistachio cream or pistachio butter: This works with either or. I find that using pistachio cream is just tastier because it is sweeter, and my kids like it more with pistachio cream. I got a large jar of it from Costco. *See notes in recipe card.
- Pistachios: Store-bought toasted pistachios work just fine. I used this to add a nice crunch to the pistachio kataifi layer. If you don’t have any, don’t worry.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: or you can use dark chocolate chips
- Coconut oil: I used this to thin out the chocolate chips. It gives it that thin glossy finish to make it easier to work with and doesn’t harden too quickly as it cools.
- Strawberries: halved or quartered – about 2.5 cups: Use fresh, hard strawberries that aren’t too ripe.
How to make Dubai Chocolate Strawberries
Here is a step-by-step process on how you can make these viral Dubai chocolate strawberries at home.
Steps 1 and 2: Chop the strawberries and Kataifi. Set the strawberries on the side.
Step 3: In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the shredded phyllo dough (kataifi). Cook for 5-7 minutes and toss regularly until it is nicely toasted and brown.
Step 4: Transfer the toasted Kataifi into a dish or bowl. (Before you add the pistachio cream here, decide if you want your filling to be more on the thick side or runny side. I like mine runny a bit (less kataifi). If you want it more crunchy, start with 1/2 cup of pistachio cream and then add more if you like). Add the pistachio cream and tahini. Toss well to coat and combine.
Step 5: Add the crushed pistachios and mix again to combine. If you aren’t adding any crushed pistachio, go to the next step.
Step 6: In a bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave at 30-second increments until fully melted. Mix until smooth.
Step 7: Start layering the strawberry cup. First, add a layer of chopped strawberries, then add a layer of the crunchy pistachio kataifi, and then layer of drizzled melted chocolate. Repeat the layers one more time.
Step 8: Finally, you can top with some crushed pistachios or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Serve and Enjoy.
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Love your recipe. It was so delicious 🤤
Thank you