Dubai Chocolate Cake: An Irresistible Homemade Masterpiece

Dubai chocolate cake is a dessert that turns heads and captures hearts. Inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar, this indulgent cake layers moist milk chocolate sponge with creamy pistachio filling, crispy toasted Kataifi, and a rich chocolate buttercream that’s smooth as silk. With each bite, you get texture, flavor, and a touch of elegance that feels straight out of a luxury bakery. In this article, you’ll discover the story behind this cake, what makes Dubai chocolate so sought after, and how you can recreate this showstopper in your own kitchen.

The Story Behind Dubai Chocolate Cake

Where the idea began

Hi, I’m Emily. Ever since I can remember, baking has been woven into the fabric of my life. I learned the basics beside my grandma Eleanor, where we mixed batters and stories with equal joy. Now, with my own kids underfoot and Buddy, our golden retriever, patiently waiting for crumbs, I still find comfort in the kitchen. During the 2020 lockdown, baking brought us together in a way nothing else could.

One evening, while scrolling through dessert videos with my daughter, we spotted the now-famous Dubai chocolate bar. Wrapped in gold and filled with pistachio and crispy layers, it looked extravagant and delicious. That same night, we decided to turn that chocolate bar into something even more special—a Dubai chocolate cake.

From candy bar to cake masterpiece

Dubai chocolate cake may have started as a trend, but what it became in our home was a celebration of flavor and fun. The original chocolate bar is known for its creamy milk chocolate, luxurious pistachio paste, and toasted Kataifi, a shredded phyllo that adds crunch and depth. While the bar sells for as much as thirty dollars, we wanted to recreate that same indulgence with ingredients we love, in a dessert we could share.

The result was a cake with four thin layers of soft milk chocolate sponge, two generous fillings of pistachio and crispy Kataifi, and a silky chocolate buttercream to hold it all together. Every element was chosen to mirror the original, while still making the dessert approachable and unforgettable. And the best part? The entire process became a memory with my kids, one filled with sticky fingers, laughter, and that final proud moment when we sliced into the first piece.

Dubai Chocolate Cake: The Ultimate Rich And Rewarding Treat

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• Author: Emily
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 slices 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A luxurious layered Dubai chocolate cake filled with pistachio paste, toasted kataifi, and chocolate ganache buttercream.

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Ingredients

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FOR THE MILK CHOCOLATE CAKE:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

2/3 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup sour cream, room temperature

2 1/6 cups cake flour

1/3 cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder

2/3 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups buttermilk, room temperature

1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar

1 2/3 teaspoons baking soda

FOR THE FILLING:

1 cup pistachio paste

1/2 cup toasted kataifi

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM:

1/4 cup heavy cream

10 oz semi-sweet chocolate

2 cups unsalted butter, slightly cold

5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare two 8-inch pans with spray and parchment.

2. Whisk cake flour, cocoa, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

3. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

4. Add flour mix and buttermilk in alternating additions.

5. Mix vinegar and baking soda. Add to batter and stir. Fold in sour cream.

6. Divide batter, bake 25–30 minutes. Cool, then cut each layer in half for four layers.

7. Mix pistachio paste with toasted kataifi for filling.

8. Heat cream and pour over chocolate to make ganache. Let cool.

9. Beat butter, add ganache, then sugar, vanilla, and salt to make buttercream.

10. Assemble cake: layer cake, rim of buttercream, pistachio filling. Repeat.

11. Crumb coat the cake and chill. Finish frosting and decorate.

Notes

To make homemade pistachio paste, boil and peel pistachios, then blend with water until smooth.

For homemade kataifi, shred phyllo and toast with butter.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 42g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 105mg

Inside the Layers of Dubai Chocolate Cake

Why this cake is unlike anything else

Dubai chocolate cake isn’t just rich, it’s layered with intention. What sets it apart is the way it blends textures and flavors rarely found in a traditional chocolate cake. Inspired by the viral chocolate bar from the UAE, this cake features two distinct elements that give it its signature luxury feel: pistachio paste and toasted Kataifi.

Kataifi is a fine, shredded phyllo dough used in Middle Eastern desserts. Once toasted, it adds a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake layers and smooth buttercream. Paired with creamy pistachio paste, the filling becomes nutty, slightly sweet, and absolutely unforgettable. These components are what elevate this from a regular chocolate cake to a dessert with Middle Eastern flair and modern sophistication.

What’s in a Dubai chocolate cake recipe

To build a Dubai chocolate cake, you start with moist milk chocolate sponge. This version uses a scaled-down version of my go-to recipe to fit two 8-inch pans. The cake is tender but sturdy enough to support fillings and multiple layers. After baking, each layer is split, giving you four thin cakes to work with.

Between those layers goes the real magic. The pistachio filling combines store-bought or homemade pistachio paste with toasted Kataifi. The buttercream is a whipped chocolate ganache made from heavy cream, semi-sweet chocolate, butter, and sifted powdered sugar. It’s rich, but airy enough to balance the cake’s sweetness.

Each component is flavorful on its own, but when combined, they create a slice that’s soft, crunchy, creamy, and chocolaty. Dubai chocolate cake is indulgence done right, the kind of dessert that makes guests pause and ask, “Where did you get this recipe?”

How to Make Dubai Chocolate Cake Step by Step

Baking the milk chocolate cake layers

To begin your Dubai chocolate cake, start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray two 8-inch pans with nonstick spray, line the bottoms with parchment, then spray again. Set them aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with both sugars on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down the bowl between each addition. Add vanilla extract and blend.

Lower the speed and alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. In a separate bowl, combine vinegar and baking soda. Add this fizzy mix to your batter and stir gently. Finally, fold in the sour cream until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out with a few moist crumbs. Cool the layers for 15 minutes in the pans, then invert onto racks to cool completely. Once cooled, torte each cake into two thin layers for a total of four.

Filling and frosting your cake

For the filling, mix pistachio paste with toasted Kataifi until combined. You can use store-bought or follow a simple method to make your own. For the buttercream, heat cream and pour it over semi-sweet chocolate to create a smooth ganache. Let it cool slightly.

In your mixer, whip butter until fluffy, then gradually add the ganache. Once blended, add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and silky. If too soft, chill briefly before using.

Assemble the Dubai chocolate cake by layering cake, pistachio-Kataifi filling, and buttercream. Crumb coat, chill, then finish frosting for a stunning final result.

Tips, Storage, and Why Dubai Chocolate Cake Is Worth It

Serving and storing this indulgent dessert

Once your Dubai chocolate cake is frosted and decorated, it’s ready to serve. For the cleanest slices, let the cake chill for 20 to 30 minutes before cutting. This allows the buttercream and filling to firm up slightly, helping each layer hold its shape when served.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated for up to five days. If you refrigerate it, let the slices sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. This helps restore the soft, rich texture that makes each bite feel luxurious.

You can also freeze the cake layers ahead of time. Individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then lay them flat in the freezer where they can be stored for up to three months. Thaw before assembling and decorating.

Why Dubai chocolate cake is worth the effort

Dubai chocolate cake isn’t something you bake on a whim. It takes a little extra time and care, but every step pays off. From the tender milk chocolate sponge to the creamy pistachio filling and crispy Kataifi, this cake delivers layers of flavor and texture that feel truly special.

What truly adds to its meaning is the experience itself. Whether you’re baking alone or with your children, as I did, this cake turns into something more than just a sweet treat. It becomes a memory, a celebration, a surprise that brings joy to whoever gets a slice.

It’s also a beautiful introduction to Middle Eastern ingredients like Kataifi and pistachio paste, blended into a dessert that feels both familiar and new. Dubai chocolate cake may have started as a viral trend, but in my kitchen, it has become a go-to for birthdays, holidays, and anytime we want something extraordinary.

Conclusion

Dubai chocolate cake brings together everything you want in a show-stopping dessert. It’s elegant, layered with flavor, and has just the right amount of crunch and creaminess. While inspired by a luxury chocolate bar, this cake can be made right in your kitchen, offering an unforgettable taste without the high price tag. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a holiday, or just for fun, this recipe is a delicious way to bring people together.

If you love rich, memory-filled desserts like this, follow Edialy Recipes on Facebook for everyday baking inspiration, family favorites, and kitchen moments straight from our home to yours.

Explore beautifully styled cakes and nostalgic treats on Edialy Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next go-to recipe for bringing joy to your table.

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