Dubai Chocolate Bar Layer Cake with Pistachio Cream and Kunafa Filling
This stunning layered cake features rich chocolate layers, a creamy pistachio filling, and a crispy kunafa filling, inspired by the iconic Dubai chocolate bar. It's a show-stopping dessert that combines Middle Eastern flavors with decadent chocolate.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar divided
- 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-processed
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup shelled pistachios unsalted, finely ground for filling
- 8 oz cream cheese softened for filling
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar for filling
- 1 cup kataifi pastry shredded, for kunafa filling
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter melted, for kunafa
- 1 tbsp rose water optional, for kunafa
Notes
Storage: Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight. Make-Ahead: Bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance and wrap tightly. The filling can be made 1 day ahead. Variations: For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based milk. Serving Suggestion: Serve with a cup of strong Arabic coffee or mint tea to complement the rich flavors.