These Dubai strawberry cups are made with fresh strawberries, creamy pistachio mixed with crispy kataifi, and chocolate.
Dubai strawberry cups are inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend that has taken social media by storm.
This dessert takes that same indulgent vibe and mixes it up with crispy kataifi, creamy pistachio, and fresh strawberries.
The crunch, the smoothness, the sweetness—it all just works. And, of course, a drizzle of melted chocolate on top makes it even better.
It's refreshing, addictive, indulgent, and super easy to make, which I love. If you are a fan of Dubai chocolate and you love strawberries, you are going to absolutely love this dessert!
For more dessert cups recipes, check out my tiramisu cups, chocolate parfait, chocolate panna cotta, and peanut butter mousse.
Jump to:
Why this recipe works
- Amazing texture- this dessert has everything: crispy kataifi, creamy pistachio, juicy strawberries, and smooth melted chocolate. Every bite is a mix of crunch, creaminess, and softness, making it super satisfying.
- Incredible flavor- the combo of sweet strawberries, rich chocolate, and nutty pistachio is just chef’s kiss. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and slightly crunchy.
- Super easy to make- you don’t need fancy baking skills for this one. Just a few simple steps, and you’ve got a dessert that looks and tastes like something from a high-end cafe.
- Quick to prepare- this takes no time to make! This dessert comes together fast, making it great for last-minute cravings or when you need an impressive treat in a hurry.
- Insanely delicious- let’s be real, this dessert is dangerously good. The mix of flavors and textures makes it impossible to stop at just one bite. It’s the kind of treat you’ll want to make again and again!
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Strawberries- fresh, ripe strawberries are essential for the best flavor. Look for bright red berries that are juicy and sweet. They add natural sweetness and a slight tartness that balances the richness of the other ingredients.
Kataifi (Shredded Filo Dough)- it has a delicate, airy texture that adds crunch to the dish. When toasted, it develops a nutty flavor that pairs well with the creamy pistachio cream.
Butter- unsalted, high-quality butter is ideal for this recipe. European-style butter, which has a higher fat content, adds an extra depth of flavor.
White chocolate- using high-quality white chocolate ensures a better taste and smoother consistency.
Heavy cream- when combined with white chocolate and dark chocolate, it creates a luscious, silky texture. Choosing full-fat heavy cream ensures the best results.
Pistachio butter or spread- a high-quality pistachio spread made from pure pistachios without added sugars or artificial ingredients will give the best results.
Dark or milk chocolate– dark chocolate adds a deep, slightly bitter contrast and milk chocolate brings a sweeter and creamier taste. Use high-quality chocolate to ensure a smooth, rich texture.
Instructions
Prepare the strawberries. Start by washing them thoroughly under cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Remove the green stems, then cut each strawberry into quarters for the perfect bite-sized pieces.
If the strawberries are very large, you can cut them into smaller pieces to make layering easier.
Prepare the kataifi. If using frozen kataifi, let it thaw so it’s easy to handle according to the package instructions. Gently separate the strands and use a sharp knife to cut them into thin sections.
In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the kataifi, stirring continuously until golden brown and crispy. Set aside to cool.
In a small mixing bowl, add the white chocolate, pistachio butter, and heavy cream and melt it in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid burning. You can also use a double boiler.
In another small bowl, add the dark chocolate and pour the heavy cream over it. Microwave in short 15-20 second bursts, stirring after each interval.
Keep repeating this process until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Pour the pistachio mixture over the cooked kataifi and mix it until it is well combined.
Assembly
Add a scoop of the pistachio kataifi mixture to the bottom of your serving cup. Next, place a layer of fresh strawberry slices on top. Drizzle some melted chocolate over the strawberries.
Repeat the layers, pistachio kataifi mixture, strawberries, and chocolate—until the cup is full. Finish with a final drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios for extra crunch.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries. Choose bright red, juicy strawberries for the best flavor.
- Toast the kataifi until golden brown. This gives the dessert a crispy texture and enhances its nutty flavor. Stir frequently while toasting to prevent burning.
- Use high-quality butter. Unsalted, European-style butter adds richness and depth to the kataifi, making it more flavorful.
- Melt the white chocolate carefully. White chocolate can burn easily, so melt it slowly using a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently.
- Use full-fat heavy cream. This ensures a smooth, creamy consistency when mixed with the white chocolate and pistachio butter. Low-fat alternatives may not create the same rich texture.
- Choose pure pistachio butter or spread. Avoid spreads with added sugars or artificial ingredients for a more authentic, nutty flavor.
- Layer the ingredients evenly. For the best taste and texture in every bite, pistachio filling, strawberries, and chocolate evenly in each cup.
- Serve fresh for the best texture. The kataifi stays crispy and the strawberries remain juicy when served immediately. If making ahead, store the components separately and assemble just before serving.
Faq's
A Dubai Strawberry Cup is a rich, layered dessert inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend. It is made with crispy kataifi mixed with creamy pistachio, fresh strawberries, and a drizzle of melted chocolate.
Dubai chocolate refers to the viral chocolate bars that are filled with a mixture of pistachio and kataifi.
The shredded stuff in Dubai chocolate is kataifi, a type of finely shredded filo dough. It’s crispy, and light, and adds a delicate crunch to the dessert.
Storing
This dessert is served best fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in the fridge covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing Dubai Strawberry Cups because the texture won’t be the same.
The crispy kataifi can become soggy, and the fresh strawberries release water when thawed.
Make it ahead of time
To make this ahead of time, prepare the layers separately and assemble them on the spot. Toast the kataifi and mix it with pistachio cream, then store it in the fridge.
Cut the strawberries and refrigerate them, and keep the melted chocolate in a separate container. When you’re ready to serve, layer everything together and enjoy!
Substitutions
Gluten-free - if you want to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free kataifi pastry.
Dairy-free- to make this dessert dairy-free, you can swap the heavy cream with vegan heavy cream and the white chocolate with vegan white chocolate.
Variations
Mixed berries- swap the strawberries for a mix of berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a tangy twist.
Almond butter- instead of pistachio butter, try using almond butter for a nutty, slightly sweeter flavor. It pairs perfectly with the chocolate and fruit for a delicious alternative.
Hazelnut spread- swap out the pistachio cream for a creamy hazelnut spread, like Nutella, for a richer, chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
Serving Tips
Chopped pistachios- top each cup with copped and toasted pistachios for extra crunch and a beautiful look.
Equipment
- Dessert cups- these are perfect for events, entertaining, and this type of dessert!
- Mixing bowl set
- Rubber spatula
- Sharp knife
More pistachio desserts
Pistachio Baklava- this super delicious pistachio baklava is buttery, sweet, flakey, nutty, gooey, and surprisingly easy to make!
Pistachio Cheesecake- this pistachio cheesecake is luxurious, rich, creamy, made with plenty of real pistachios, and made without a water bath!
Pistachio Cake- this pistachio cake is made with real pistachios and pistachio paste, full of pistachio flavor, topped and covered with pistachio buttercream frosting, and topped with chopped pistachios.
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.
If you liked this recipe
📖 Recipe
Dubai Strawberry Cups
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Kataifi
- 2 tablespoon Butter
For the pistachio mixture
- ⅓ cup Pistachio butter
- 3.5 oz White chocolate
- 3 tablespoon Heavy cream
For the chocolate mixture
- 3.5 oz Dark chocolate
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 10-12 Strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberries. Start by washing them thoroughly under cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Remove the green stems, then cut each strawberry into quarters for the perfect bite-sized pieces.
- If the strawberries are very large, you can cut them into smaller pieces to make layering easier.
- Prepare the kataifi. If using frozen kataifi, let it thaw so it’s easy to handle according to the package instructions. Gently separate the strands and use a sharp knife to cut them into thin sections.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the kataifi, stirring continuously until golden brown and crispy. Set aside to cool.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the white chocolate, pistachio butter, and heavy cream and melt it in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid burning. You can also use a double boiler.
- In another small bowl, add the dark chocolate and pour the heavy cream over it. Microwave in short 15-20 second bursts, stirring after each interval.
- Keep repeating this process until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Pour the pistachio mixture over the cooked kataifi and mix it until it is well combined.
Assembly
- Add a scoop of the pistachio kataifi mixture to the bottom of your serving cup. Next, place a layer of fresh strawberry slices on top. Drizzle some melted chocolate over the strawberries.
- Repeat the layers, pistachio kataifi mixture, strawberries, and chocolate—until the cup is full. Finish with a final drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios for extra crunch.
Notes
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries. Choose bright red, juicy strawberries for the best flavor.
- Toast the kataifi until golden brown. This gives the dessert a crispy texture and enhances its nutty flavor. Stir frequently while toasting to prevent burning.
- Use high-quality butter. Unsalted, European-style butter adds richness and depth to the kataifi, making it more flavorful.
- Melt the white chocolate carefully. White chocolate can burn easily, so melt it slowly using a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently.
- Use full-fat heavy cream. This ensures a smooth, creamy consistency when mixed with the white chocolate and pistachio butter. Low-fat alternatives may not create the same rich texture.
- Choose pure pistachio butter or spread. Avoid spreads with added sugars or artificial ingredients for a more authentic, nutty flavor.
- Layer the ingredients evenly. For the best taste and texture in every bite, pistachio filling, strawberries, and chocolate evenly in each cup.
- Serve fresh for the best texture. The kataifi stays crispy and the strawberries remain juicy when served immediately. If making ahead, store the components separately and assemble just before serving.
Naama
Very unique dessert, my friends loved it.