If you’re on the foodie side of social media, there is a good chance you’ve already seen a video on the viral Dubai chocolate bars. The lux chocolate bar is made with a wonderful filling made of crispy toasted kataifi (which is shredded phyllo dough) combined with creamy & rich pistachio butter and a touch of tahini. With Valentine’s day around the corner, I had the idea of transforming this concept into brownie form ~ one of my personal favorite desserts. The results = pure MAGIC! Think fudgy & decadent brownies topped with a satisfying shatteringly crispy & nutty crunch. Are you drooling yet? I am just writing this…🤤
❤️ Why You’ll Love Viral Dubai Chocolate Brownies
To make this recipe, you can use any brownie recipe as the base (heck, you can even use a box mix, I won’t judge.) I used my all-time favorite recipe of Chocolate Espresso Brownies and just removed the espresso powder. It came out PERFECT!!
By using any brownie for the base, the serious business comes on the top layers, which are super simple to make. Butter-toasted kataifi gets combined with pistachio butter & tahini and is spread in an even layer over the brownies before being topped with melted chocolate.
🍲 Ingredients
Butter – I am team salted butter, but either works
Dark Chocolate – ideally a chocolate bar chopped into pieces, but chocolate chips also work
Vanilla Extract
Salt
Sugar
Brown Sugar – light or dark brown
Eggs
Flour – All Purpose…can sub 1 for 1 gluten-free flour
Cocoa Powder
Kataifi – a shredded phyllo dough pastry that’s a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. Order it on Amazon if you can’t find it in your local stores.
Pistachio Butter – can also order on Amazon if you can’t find it.
Tahini – adds a nice savory nutty flavor to balance the sweetness
Chopped Pistachio – for garnish
Flaky Salt – for garnish
👩🍳 How to Make Viral Dubai Chocolate Brownies
Step 1: Prep the Brownies
In a heat-safe bowl or measuring cup, melt a sick of butter in 30-second increments. Ain the chocolate pieces, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and salt. Stir well until all is melted and well combined.
In a large bowl, combine the sugar and brown sugar. Pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk together. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing each one until well incorporated.
Add the flour and cocoa powder and fold until just incorporated. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
Step 2: Prep the Kataifi Filling
In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter then add in the chopped kataifi. Cook until it becomes a golden brown color, stirring frequently, about 10-15 minutes.
Transfer the kataifi to a bowl and combine it with the pistachio butter, tahini, and a pinch of salt. Spread the kataifi mix in an even layer over the brownies. Use a spatula to ensure it is nice and smooth.
Step 3: Add the Melted Chocolate and Garnishes
Melt chocolate in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the kataifi layer so that it is smooth and well-covered. Immediately garnish with chopped pistachios and flakey salt before the chocolate sets.
Step 4: Cool then Serve
Allow the top chocolate layer to cool completely. Then, slice and serve.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Tip 1 – Make sure to add the eggs one at a time, mixing each one until well incorporated. (This makes the top layer shiny.)
- Tip 2 – Toast the kataifi until it is truly golden brown. It takes some time, but it is worth it for the development of the nutty flavor.
- Tip 3 – Allow the top chocolate layer to fully set before slicing!! This will make it much easier for everything to stay together.
🗒 Variations & Substitutions
There are SO many ways to make this dish your own and modify it to fit your dietary needs, preferences, or just what you have on hand. Here are some ideas.
- Swap brownies for BLONDIES
- Swap pistachio butter for peanut butter or almond butter..or even better NUTELLA
- Swap kataifi for rice krispies cereal
☕️ Best served with
- Vanilla Ice cream
- a cold glass of milk
- Hot Chocolate
- Coffee or Cappuccino
- Brandy/Whisky/Baileys ~ if you’re getting boozy
👝 How to Store Leftovers
To store brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for a few days.
🤔 Common Questions
Just swap it out for rice krispies cereal or even cooked & oven toasted rice or quinoa!!
Swap it with peanut butter, almond butter or better yet… NUTELLA!
Viral Dubai Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 8 tbsp 1 stick Butter
- 4 oz Dark Chocolate
- 1.5 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 2/3 Flour
- 1/3 Cocoa Powder
Toppings
- 3 cups Kataifi, chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 cup Pistachio Butter
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 1 cup Dark Chocolate
- 1/4 cup Chopped Pistachio
- 1 tbsp Flaky Salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×9 square pan with nonstick spray, then add a layer of aluminum foil that hands over two sides and grease it again.
- In a heat-safe bowl or measuring cup, melt a sick of butter in 30-second increments. Ain the chocolate pieces, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and salt. Stir well until all is melted and well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar and brown sugar. Pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk together. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing each one until well incorporated. (This makes the top layer shiny.)
- Add the flour and cocoa powder and fold until just incorporated. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before removing them from the pan and slice them into squares.
Step 2: Prep the Kataifi Filling
- In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter then add in the chopped kataifi. Cook until it becomes a golden brown color, stirring frequently, about 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the kataifi to a bowl and combine it with the pistachio butter, tahini, and a pinch of salt. Spread the kataifi mix in an even layer over the brownies. Use a spatula to ensure it is nice and smooth.
Step 3: Add the Melted Chocolate and Garnishes
- Melt chocolate in a heat-safe bowl or cup in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the kataifi layer so that it is smooth and well-covered. Immediately garnish with chopped pistachios and flakey salt before the chocolate sets.
Step 4: Cool then Serve
- Allow the top chocolate layer to cool completely. Then, slice, serve and ENJOY!
