Ingredients
Shell
- 300 g milk chocolate finely chopped; divided
Filling
- 120 g kataifi pastry thawed as directed if frozen; cut into short strands
- 20 g unsalted butter
- 140 g sweetened pistachio cream not pure unsweetened pistachio butter
- 20 g tahini stirred smooth
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt 0.75 g
Equipment
- 2 deep silicone chocolate-bar molds at least 700 ml combined usable capacity; set on a tray
- Large skillet
- Dry microwave-safe bowl
- Silicone spatula
- Kitchen scale
- Knife and parchment
Instructions
Toast, fill and set
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the short kataifi strands and cook, stirring frequently, for 8–12 minutes until evenly golden and crisp. Reduce heat if patches brown too quickly. Transfer to a bowl and cool for about 10 minutes.
- Stir the pistachio cream, tahini and salt together, then fold in the cooled toasted kataifi. Keep the strands textured rather than blending them.
- Put the chocolate in a completely dry microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second bursts at medium power, stirring after each, until just melted and smooth. Avoid overheating or adding water. This recipe uses refrigeration to set the chocolate.
- Use about two thirds of the chocolate to coat the bottoms and sides of the two molds, sharing it evenly. Set the molds on a tray and refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until the shells are firm.
- Divide the filling between the shells, pressing gently into the corners without breaking the shell. Keep the filling below the rim so the chocolate cap can seal to the sides.
- Gently rewarm the reserved chocolate if needed, then spread it over the filling to seal each bar. Refrigerate for 25–30 minutes or until completely firm. Unmold carefully.
- Cut each bar into 8 pieces with a clean knife. Serve 2 pieces per portion. Keep covered in the refrigerator and bring out only the amount needed; the shell softens as it warms.
Nutrition
Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5.2gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10.4gSodium: 145mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29g
Video
Notes
Nutrition is estimated per one-eighth of the recipe (2 of 16 pieces) from the full shell and filling. Hershey's milk chocolate, Athens kataifi and Pistacchi Grassia sweetened pistachio cream labels, plus representative butter and tahini values, provide the basis. Brands vary. Contains milk, wheat, pistachio and sesame; check products for soy and other allergens.
Instructional video credit: Bonni Bakery, How To Make Dubai Chocolate Bar. The demonstration shows toasted kataifi and sweetened pistachio filling in chocolate molds. This version uses different proportions, milk chocolate with no decoration, and a refrigerated melted-chocolate shell rather than the video's tempering approach.
Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Follow ingredient package instructions before preparation. The shell softens as it warms.
