Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe

This Dubai chocolate bar recipe is rich, sweet, and full of Middle Eastern flavor. It’s made with dark chocolate, a soft date filling, pistachios, and warm spices like cardamom — then finished with a smooth chocolate ganache on top.

Why Make This Recipe

These bars look fancy but are actually easy to make. They’re perfect for gifting, holidays, or when you want something special without baking. The date + pistachio combo makes them unique and “Dubai-inspired.”

How To Make Dubai Chocolate Bars

Ingredients:

For the chocolate base

• 200g dark chocolate (around 70%)
• 100g unsalted butter, cubed
• 3 tbsp honey (or date syrup)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• Pinch of sea salt

For the date filling

• 200g Medjool dates, pitted
• 50g pistachios, chopped
• 2 tbsp orange blossom water
• ½ tsp cinnamon

For the ganache topping

• 100g milk chocolate
• 50ml heavy cream
• 1 tbsp honey

For garnish

• Chopped pistachios
• Dried rose petals (optional)
• Edible gold dust (optional)

Directions:

1. Make the chocolate base: Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Melt dark chocolate + butter (double boiler or microwave in short bursts). Stir in honey, vanilla, cardamom, and salt. Pour 2/3 into the pan and chill 20 minutes.
2. Add the date filling: Blend dates with orange blossom water + cinnamon into a thick paste, then stir in pistachios. Spread evenly over the chilled base. Chill 20 minutes.
3. Top with ganache: Heat cream + honey until hot, then pour over milk chocolate. Let sit 2 minutes, stir smooth, and pour on top. Sprinkle pistachios (and optional rose/gold). Chill 2+ hours until firm, then slice.

Prep Time And Nutrition Facts

This recipe takes about 30 minutes of prep plus 2–3 hours to chill, so around 3½ hours total. It makes 16 bars, and each bar is about 245 calories (depending on toppings).

How To Serve Dubai Chocolate Bars

Serve chilled or slightly softened at room temperature. They’re great with Arabic coffee, tea, or as a small dessert after dinner.

How To Store Dubai Chocolate Bars

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight.

Tips To Make Dubai Chocolate Bars

• Use a hot, dry knife for clean slices.
• Don’t rush chilling between layers — it keeps the layers sharp.
• If the date paste is too thick, add a tiny splash of warm water while blending.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

Dates add natural sweetness and fiber, and pistachios add healthy fats. It’s still a dessert, but it’s more filling than a regular candy bar.

Variation (If Any)

• Swap pistachios for almonds or walnuts.
• Use all dark chocolate if you prefer less sweetness.
• Make it dairy-free with coconut oil + coconut cream.

FAQs

1. Does this recipe need baking? No, it’s a no-bake chilled dessert.
2. Can I skip orange blossom water? Yes — use orange zest instead.
3. Can I use regular dates? Yes, but Medjool dates are softer and easier to blend.
4. How do I keep the layers neat? Chill between each layer before adding the next.
5. Why is my chocolate turning white? That’s “bloom” from temperature changes — still safe to eat.
6. Can I make these for gifting? Yes — keep them chilled and pack in small boxes with parchment.
7. Can I make it less sweet? Use darker chocolate (80–85%) and reduce honey slightly.

Dubai Chocolate Bars

These rich and sweet bars are made with dark chocolate, a soft date filling, pistachios, and warm spices, topped with chocolate ganache for a luxurious treat.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert, Snacks

Cuisine: International, Middle Eastern

Calories: 245

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the chocolate base

• 200 g dark chocolate (around 70%)
• 100 g unsalted butter, cubed
• 3 tbsp honey (or date syrup)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• Pinch sea salt

For the date filling

• 200 g Medjool dates, pitted
• 50 g pistachios, chopped
• 2 tbsp orange blossom water
• ½ tsp cinnamon

For the ganache topping

• 100 g milk chocolate
• 50 ml heavy cream
• 1 tbsp honey

For garnish

• Chopped pistachios
• Dried rose petals (optional)
• Edible gold dust (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
2. Melt dark chocolate and butter using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
3. Stir in honey, vanilla, cardamom, and salt.
4. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into the pan and chill for 20 minutes.

Add the Date Filling

1. Blend dates with orange blossom water and cinnamon into a thick paste.
2. Stir in chopped pistachios.
3. Spread the date mixture evenly over the chilled chocolate base.
4. Chill for another 20 minutes.

Top with Ganache

1. Heat cream and honey until hot, then pour it over milk chocolate.
2. Let sit for 2 minutes before stirring until smooth.
3. Pour the ganache over the chilled bars.
4. Sprinkle with pistachios, and optional rose petals or gold dust.
5. Chill for 2 or more hours until firm, then slice into bars.

Notes

Serve chilled or slightly softened at room temperature. These bars are great with Arabic coffee or as a dessert.