Fancy Dubai Chocolate Balls with Pistachio Center
Silky Dubai chocolate balls hiding a delightful pistachio kunefe surprise inside their rich chocolate exterior. This dessert marries sweet Middle Eastern flavors with luxurious chocolate craftsmanship, offering an irresistible treat that highlights culinary artistry and elegance.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup kataifi (shredded kunefe pastry), finely chopped
- 1/2 cup ground pistachios
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
Binding Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating Ingredients:
- 100g dark or milk chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Finely crushed pistachios (for garnish)
Instructions
- Toast Kataifi: Prepare a skillet and melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped kataifi and toast it carefully while stirring continuously for about 5 minutes, until it becomes golden and crispy without burning.
- Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the toasted kataifi with ground pistachios, sweetened condensed milk, rose water (or orange blossom water), and salt. Mix thoroughly to form a cohesive and slightly tacky mixture.
- Chill Mixture: Refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes to improve its structure, making it easier to shape into balls.
- Shape Balls: Lightly grease your hands with a neutral oil to prevent sticking. Scoop and shape the chilled mixture into uniform 1-inch spheres.
- Freeze Balls: Place the shaped balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 15 minutes to firm them up and prepare for chocolate coating.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark or milk chocolate with coconut oil using a double boiler or microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Coat Balls: Using a fork, dip each frozen pistachio ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage, then quickly sprinkle finely crushed pistachios on top before the chocolate sets.
- Chill Coated Balls: Place the coated balls on a clean parchment-lined surface and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes until the chocolate is firm and shiny.
- Serve: Present these elegant Dubai chocolate balls as a luxurious dessert showcasing the pistachio kunefe center and silky chocolate coating.
Notes
- Stir kataifi continuously while toasting to avoid burning and achieve uniform golden crispiness.
- For a lighter, tangier filling, substitute sweetened condensed milk with Greek yogurt.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for a richer flavor and smoother coating.
- Dairy-free alternatives such as coconut cream and vegan chocolate can be used for dietary restrictions.