Hot off the heels of the viral Dubai chocolate bar I just had to share a brownie version of the dessert! Pistachio cream, Kataifi pastry and chocolate is truly a match made in heaven, and I am OBSESSED! I hope you will love these pistachio chocolate brownies as much as I do!

My viral Dubai pistachio chocolate brownies are just so good! With a chewy brownie base, a crunchy pistachio kunafe filling and a pretty feathered chocolate layer to finish, these beautiful squares of joy are really hard to resist! Recipe by movers and bakers

All you need to know about the viral Dubai bar

The chocolate bar has actually been in existence for a few years now, funnily enough. It went viral when a Dubai based food influencer shared a reel about it at the end of 2023, peaking in interest over 2024 and has remained popular ever since.

What’s inside the Dubai chocolate bar?

The viral Dubai chocolate bar consists of a Belgian chocolate casing filled with a pistachio Kataifi filling. Kataifi, or Kunafe, is simply shredded filo pastry, which is cooked until crispy to make the signature crunchy middle of the viral Dubai chocolate. Once cooked, it is mixed with pistachio cream and tahini before being used to fill the bars.

What does the Dubai chocolate bar taste like?

Chocolate and pistachio is a fabulous combination, and the Dubai pistachio chocolate bar certainly lives up to the flavours. A crunchy Kataifi pistachio flavoured filling is combined with smooth luxurious Belgian chocolate making this bar entirely irresistible!

What are chocolate and pistachio brownies?

If you were to search for chocolate and pistachio brownies, you would find a plethora of recipes, each one unique and wonderful. I have chosen to take my version to the next level by making it Dubai pistachio chocolate inspired. So my version is almost like a millionaire’s shortbread, but using chewy brownie, crunchy pistachio and pretty feathered chocolate for each of the layers. Yum!

What ingredients do I need to make these Dubai chocolate brownies?

Unsalted butter: I like to use unsalted butter so I can control how much salt is in the bake.
Cocoa: essential in the fudgy brownie for all that beautiful chocolatey loveliness!
Vanilla: for delicious flavour in these simply delicious beauties.
Caster sugar: for sweetness in the brownie part of these Dubai chocolate brownies.
Eggs: helps with the structure and texture of the bake.
Flour: I use plain/all purpose flour to make these fudgy brownies from scratch. There is no raising agent used in making this bake.
Salt: enhances the flavours every time. You will not taste it, I promise!
Kataifi: this is a pastry originating from Greece. It is made from a special pastry dough, and is similar to shredded filo.
Pistachio cream: the star flavour of my pistachio chocolate brownies. Choose a good quality spread for best flavour. See below for my recommendation.
Chocolate: used for the topping of these delicious pistachio chocolate brownies. Milk chocolate to cover the top, white chocolate along with some additional pistachio cream to create the pretty feathered decoration.

What tools and equipment do I need to make pistachio chocolate brownies?

Baking tin*: you will need an 8”x 8” pan to make the brownies in.
Parchment paper: to line the baking tin. This stops the brownie from sticking to the pan and makes it so easy to remove from the tin too.
Digital kitchen scales*: I provide all my measurements in cups too, however I would encourage all bakers to weigh out ingredients when baking. A set of digital kitchen scales is so useful and totally an essential baking tool for me.
Measuring spoons*: a set of measuring spoons is essential for any baker. This is because these are more accurate than using everyday teaspoons and tablespoons, which can vary greatly in size.
Mixing bowl*/small mixing bowl* any material of bowl will do: plastic, glass, the choice is yours! The smaller bowl is for the chocolate mixture when making the brownies and for melting chocolate, so I would recommend a microwave safe one here.
Whisk*: used to mix together the brownies.
Spatula*: to use to mix ingredients together towards the end of the brownie making and to get all that delicious mixture in the tin to bake!
Frying pa n*: to cook the pastry in until crunchy and crisp.
Offset spatula*: SUCH a useful tool in making this viral pistachio chocolate dessert! I use it to help me spread the pistachio filling over the brownie mixture.
Piping bags*: optional, used for the feathering decoration on the chocolate and pistachio brownies for a neater finish to the drizzle.

How to make these chocolate brownies

First, make the brownie and leave to cool. Toast the Kataifi until dry, lightly golden and crispy before combining with the other filling ingredients, then spread over the brownie. Finish with the chocolate layer and decorations, then leave to set before cutting into squares. Enjoy!

For the brownie and pistachio filling: unsalted butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, eggs, caster sugar, plain (all purpose) flour, salt, Kataifi pastry and pistachio cream. Recipe by movers and bakers

Topping ingredients: milk chocolate, white chocolate and pistachio cream. Recipe by movers and bakers

To make the chocolate brownie

Step 1: Line an 8”x 8” baking tin with parchment paper and set it aside. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F while you make the brownies

Step 2: Melt the butter in a small bowl. I do this in the microwave in short burst of 10-20 seconds, swirling or stirring in between. Add in the cocoa powder and vanilla and whisk together until silky smooth.

Melt the butter then add in the cocoa powder and vanilla...

And mix to a silky smooth, chocolatey mixture. Recipe by movers and bakers

Step 3: In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until evenly combined. Slowly drizzle in the chocolate mixture, beating as you go so it is all evenly mixed together.

Step 4: Into the same mixing bowl, tip in the flour and salt. Fold this into the chocolatey mixture until everything is completely mixed through.

Combining the chocolate mixture with the eggs...

Step 5: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking tin and ease it into the corners, levelling the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 22-27 minutes the edges feel firm to touch and the middle has the tiniest wobble. It will take more or less time, depending on your oven, but you want them to appear slightly underbaked. For me, my brownies are done around 24 minutes. Leave to cool in the tin.

To make the pistachio kunafa filling

Step 1: While the brownie is baking and cooling, make the filling. Gently melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add in the Kataifi and cook, stirring frequently, until it is crisp and evenly golden. This takes me about 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Cooking the kataifi/kunafe until golden ...

Before combining with the pistachio cream...

Step 2: Gently heat the pistachio cream until soft and more spreadable. Tip in the crispy Kataifi into a bowl with the pistachio cream and fold everything together until completely combined.

Step 3: Spread the pistachio filling in an even layer all over the brownie, smoothing into the corners and levelling the top smooth.

To decorate the brownies

Step 1: Melt both chocolates separately and heat the pistachio cream until runny. Place the white chocolate and pistachio cream into piping bags, if desired.

Drizzle the white chocolate over the melted milk chocolate, along with the pistachio cream...

Before gently dragging a skewer through to feather the drizzles and leaving to set. Recipe by movers and bakers

Step 2: Pour the milk chocolate over the Kataifi, tipping the tin from side to side to spread the chocolate in an even layer.

Step 3: Drizzle the melted white chocolate and pistachio cream diagonally over the milk chocolate layer. Then use a skewer or toothpick to create a feathered pattern over the top. Leave the chocolate to set before cutting into squares. Enjoy!

Cut the brownies into squares once the chocolate has set. Recipe by movers and bakers

What baking tin do you need for chocolate brownies?

Metal tins are best for making this brownies recipe fudgy at home. This is because they distribute heat evenly and ensure an even bake. I would recommend avoiding glass, silicone, or ceramic dishes to make brownies in. Glass dishes absorb heat, leading to burnt or over baked edges on the brownies. Silicone does not conduct heat at all, which means it will take longer to bake the brownies. And ceramic dishes are very similar to glass: they conduct heat well, but can result in over baked brownies.

How do I line a square baking tin?

There are many ways to line a square baking tin. The simplest way is to cut two strips of baking parchment marginally smaller than one side of the tin first. Lightly brush the tin all over with melted butter. Then lay the strips of parchment paper in the tin in a cross shape. Press and smooth onto the tin, ensuring the edges and corners are folded to give nice neat edges.

When is the brownie done baking?

When do you pull the chewy fudgy brownies out of the oven? Personally, I prefer my brownies verging on the gooey side anyway, so I prefer taking them out earlier rather than later. For this chocolate pistachio brownies recipe, you will need to bake until a toothpick comes out only slightly smeared with the brownie mixture, as it will continue to bake and firm up as it cools.

How to store leftover pistachio kunafa brownies

These pistachio chocolate brownies are good to be stored in an airtight container in a cool place. It does not need to be refrigerated once fully assembled. I would recommend consuming the viral Dubai chocolate brownies within four days of making them.

Can you freeze pistachio chocolate brownies?

If you wanted to freeze this bake you absolutely can. First slice up the brownie into squares and wrap each piece individually in cling film before placing in a freezer safe container. You can freeze these pistachio chocolate brownies for up to three months.

How to defrost this Dubai chocolate bar recipe

When you are ready to enjoy the bake again, defrosting could not be simpler! All you have to do is unwrap the individual pieces (as many as you wish!), and place them on a cooling rack to come to room temperature. How long it takes to defrost will depend entirely on the temperature of the room you are defrosting them in. However it should not take longer than a couple of hours to defrost these viral Dubai chocolate brownies.

Tips for decorating and slicing pistachio brownies

Always make sure you have prepared all tools and ingredients before you start mixing: line the baking tin with parchment paper, preheat the oven and get all the ingredients out ready to use. It is easy to get flustered if you feel unprepared!
This brownie mixture, if the butter cools a lot, is really quite a thick one. No need to be alarmed by this, the brownies will turn out wonderful once baked!
Toast the Kataifi pastry until it is a beautiful golden colour. Make sure the pan used is large enough, or alternatively cook it in two smaller batches. Making sure the pastry is dry and crispy will give you the perfect texture for the Dubai chocolate bar filling.
I would definitely recommend using a pistachio cream rather than a pistachio butter. A pistachio butter will contain more natural oils than a cream, giving the finished dessert more of an oily texture. I link to the one I used in the recommended table below.
When cutting the pistachio chocolate brownies, use a knife that is warm rather than hot. This will help it slide through the top chocolate layer more smoothly, reducing the chances of it cracking and breaking. Make sure to clean the knife between cuts too.

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions about this pistachio chocolate brownies recipe, please comment below and I will do my best to help. And do remember: if you enjoy this recipe for Dubai chocolate brownies, please leave a rating and review below. You could even post a picture on Instagram and tag me when you share it with the world. You already know I would love to see!

More brownie inspired recipes for you to enjoy

Brownie blondies recipe. This bake is the perfect blend of brownies and blondies swirled together to make a beautiful, chewy, irresistibly divine bake! Recipe by movers and bakers

Brownie blondies: Blondie and brownie fans, stop scrolling! My brownie blondies recipe swirls together both these delights into a heavenly delicious bake no one can resist! Pure, indulgent, blondie brownie bliss!

My M&M brownies are chunky and chewy and perfectly decadent, packed with plenty of M&Ms inside and on top. A perfect, fun brownie treat! Recipe by movers and bakers

Chewy M&M brownies: My fudgy chocolate M&M brownies are absolutely to die for! Chunky and chewy, with a rich deep chocolate flavour, a fudgy texture and packed with yummy M&Ms. Perfect enjoyed either warm or cold, this is the ONLY recipe for the most delicious MMs brownies you will ever need!

My viral Dubai chocolate brownie yule log has a soft and squidgy brownie layer swirled with a pistachio kataifi filling. Topped with milk chocolate and decorated with a chocolate and pistachio drizzle, this gorgeous dessert is sure to wow all your guests! Recipe by movers and bakers

Dubai chocolate brownie yule log: After trying the bar itself, I was totally obsessed with the delicious flavours of the viral Dubai chocolate bar. If you have not tried it yet, you really must! Inspired by the Dubai pistachio chocolate bar, my viral Dubai chocolate brownie yule log was born!

Thanks for joining me today, friends! As always, happy baking! x

Recommended equipment and ingredients I used *

Baking tin	Digital kitchen scales
Measuring spoons	Mixing bowl/Small mixing bowl
Whisk	Spatula
Frying pa n	Offset spatula
Piping bags	Pistachio cream

* If you purchase any of the products through one of the links above, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you so much for your support!