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Dubai Chocolate Balls

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Dubai Chocolate Balls with Pistachio Kunefe Filling are a luxurious no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy kataifi pastry center mixed with creamy pistachio butter, encased in rich dark chocolate, and topped with chopped pistachios. Elegant, festive, and freezer-friendly, they’re perfect for entertaining or gifting.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 chocolate balls
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern Fusion
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

200 g kataifi pastry (kunefe)

75 g butter

150 g white chocolate

1.5 tsp neutral vegetable oil (optional, for creamier filling)

150 g natural pistachio butter (or roasted, unsalted pistachios to make your own)

1 pinch salt

400 g dark chocolate (55–65% cocoa, melted and tempered)

3 tbsp chopped pistachios (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Chop kataifi pastry into 1-inch pieces and separate threads with your hands.
  2. In a pot over medium heat, toast kataifi with butter, stirring constantly until golden and crispy. Let cool completely.
  3. Melt white chocolate with optional oil using a microwave or double boiler. Stir in pistachio butter and salt. Let cool slightly.
  4. Mix toasted kataifi with pistachio cream until combined. If mixture is runny, refrigerate until firm.
  5. Shape into 16 small balls (about 30 g each) and place on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze until firm.
  6. Dip each frozen ball into tempered dark chocolate using two forks, coating evenly. Shake off excess.
  7. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and allow to set fully before serving.

Notes

  • Kataifi gives the most authentic crunch, but you can substitute with shredded phyllo or crushed cornflakes.
  • Tempering the chocolate gives a glossy finish and crisp snap, but untempered chocolate will still taste great.
  • If making your own pistachio butter, blend roasted, unsalted pistachios until smooth. Add a drizzle of oil if needed.
  • These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer, making them perfect for holidays and gifting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/dubai-chocolate-balls/