Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups
If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, chances are you’ve spotted these Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups. They’ve gone viral for good reason: decadent layers of crispy kataifi pastry, velvety pistachio butter, ripe strawberries, and silky milk chocolate—all served up in an elegant glass.
This stunning dessert is surprisingly easy to make and perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or whenever you want to impress your guests with something unique and luxurious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and Creamy Layers: Toasted kataifi mixed with Pistachio Cream creates a rich, nutty base.
- Sweet and Fruity: Fresh strawberries add brightness and balance to the creamy ganache.
- Visually Stunning: Serve it in glass cups to show off every beautiful layer.
- Middle Eastern Flair: Kataifi and pistachio nod to regional flavors, making this dessert extra special.
How to Choose the Best Ingredients
🍫 Choosing Chocolate
For the creamiest ganache, use high-quality milk chocolate. I love Lindt milk chocolate bars or ghiredelli chocolate because they melt smoothly and have a balanced sweetness.
Tip: If you prefer a richer flavor, you can also substitute dark chocolate, but be aware it will taste less sweet.
🍓 Selecting Strawberries
Look for ripe, bright red strawberries with no green or white patches near the stem. They should have a sweet fragrance and feel firm but not hard.
Tip: Smaller strawberries tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.
Get Kataifi and Pistachio Cream on Amazon.
Ingredients
Makes 4–6 dessert cups
- 3 cups Kataifi pastry
- 1 1/2 tbsps butter
- 8 oz (1 cup) pistachio butter/cream (I used the Pisti brand from Amazon, it was perfection)
- 1 tbsp tahini (optional)
- 1 lb strawberries, cut into eighths
- 2 Lindt milk chocolate bars
- ⅓ cup heavy cream (adjust as needed for ganache)
- 1/4 cup pistachios, chopped fine
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 1 strawberry, halved
What You’ll Need:
- Clear cups or dessert glasses for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the Kataifi
- If using packaged Kataifi , cut it into smaller shreds for easier toasting.
- In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the Kataifi and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and crispy—about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
- In a bowl, or the pan, combine the cooled kataifi with pistachio butter/cream and tahini if using. Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together slightly when pressed.
2. Make the Ganache
- Pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan and heat over low until it’s just about to simmer—don’t let it boil.
- Chop chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl.
- Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute to soften.
- Stir gently until smooth and glossy. If needed, microwave in 10 second intervals, until melted. If it seems too thick, add a splash more cream.
3. Assemble the Cups
- Spoon a layer of strawberries into the bottom of each cup
- Add a spoonful of the Kataifi mixture on top of the strawberries in each serving cup.
- Add a layer of chocolate ganache.
- Sprinkle with pistachios.
- Repeat with diced strawberries, more Kataifi mixture and drizzle with ganache.
4. Finish & Garnish
- Sprinkle crushed pistachios over the top.
- Place half a fresh strawberry on each cup for an elegant garnish.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results
- Kataifi: Toast it slowly so it doesn’t burn—it should smell nutty and turn golden brown.
- Ganache: Chop your chocolate finely so it melts evenly. If it seizes up, gently reheat over a double boiler while stirring.
- Strawberries: Pat them dry after washing so extra moisture doesn’t make your layers soggy.
- Serving: These cups look best in clear glasses—try stemless wine glasses, glass tumblers, or mini dessert cups.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Kataifi Mixture: Can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Ganache: Keep in the refrigerator and gently warm before using.
- Strawberries: Wash and cut just before assembling to keep them fresh. Do not cut ahead of time.
- Leftovers: Store any assembled cups covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More Dessert Inspiration
Enjoy every luscious, layered bite! If you make this recipe, tag me on social media—I’d love to see your creations.
Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups
Ingredients
- 3 cups kataifi pastry
- 1 tbsp butter
- 8 oz pistachio butter (1 cup)
- 1 tbsp tahini optional
- 1 Lb strawberries cut into eighths
- 10 ounces Milk chocolate bars Lindt bars or Chips
- ⅓ cup heavy cream adjust as needed for ganache
- 1/4 cup pistachios chopped
Garnish
- 1 tbsp pistachios chopped
- 1 strawberry halved
Instructions
Prepare the Kataifi
- If using packaged kataifi, cut it into smaller shreds for easier toasting.
- In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the kataifi and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and crispy—about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
- In a bowl, or pan, combine the cooled kataifi with pistachio butter and tahini, if using. Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together slightly when pressed.
Make the Ganache
- Pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan and heat over low until it’s just about to simmer—don’t let it boil.
- Chop chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl.
- Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute to soften.
- Stir gently until smooth and glossy. If it seems too thick, add a splash more cream. Microwave in 10 second intervals to finish melting if needed. Stirring between each heating.
Assemble the Cups
- Spoon a layer of the strawberries into the bottom of each serving cup.
- Add a layer of the kaitifi mixture on top.
- Top the kataifi mixture with a drizzle of ganache. Then sprinkle on chopped pistachios
- Repeat with another layer of strawberries and kataifi, then finish with more ganache.
Finish & Garnish
- Sprinkle crushed pistachios over the top.
- Place half a fresh strawberry on each cup for an elegant garnish.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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