Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars are the ideal baking project for when you want a delicious, elevated and trendy dessert. Harnessing the flavors and textures of the Dubai chocolate bar, these cheesecake bars are composed of multiple layers working together to create a truly indulgent dessert.

It all starts with a simple graham cracker crust, which is then topped with a dreamy pistachio cheesecake. Then, we add the essential components for Dubai chocolate, which include a nutty, crunchy layer made up of toasted golden kataifi (toasted phyllo dough shreds), pistachio cream and tahini. Finally, we finish the bars with a simple chocolate ganache to mimic the exterior of the chocolate bar. Even if you haven’t tried Dubai chocolate before, pistachio lovers in particular are sure to think this recipe is a hit.

What is Dubai chocolate?

If you’ve scrolled food posts on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve likely seen Dubai chocolate bars and other treats embracing the confection. The original Dubai chocolate was made by Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier, where they combined phyllo dough, pistachio and chocolate to produce a complex, flavorful and crunchy filling for a chocolate bar. It became an internet sensation in 2024 and has been used as inspiration for countless chocolate bars and other desserts.

Ingredients for Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

• Graham cracker crumbs: Pulse graham crackers in a food processor to form graham cracker crumbs for the crust.
• Granulated sugar: A touch of sugar is added to the graham cracker crust and the cheesecake filling for balanced sweetness.
• Butter: Melted butter helps bind the graham cracker crumbs in the crust layer. It’s also used to toast the kataifi for a golden color and depth of flavor.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese is the key ingredient for the cheesecake layer. Soften your cream cheese to room temperature for the smoothest cheesecake.
• Pistachio cream: Pistachio cream is a soft and spreadable mixture made of ground pistachios, sugar and oil. It provides a deliciously nutty flavor to these Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars. Use pistachio cream, not pistachio butter. Pistachio cream can be found at specialty stores or ordered online for this pistachio recipe.
• Milk: A touch of milk is the liquid added to the cheesecake layer to help everything come together.
• Vanilla extract: A small amount of vanilla extract is added to the cheesecake layer to help enhance its flavor.
• Egg: One egg is incorporated into the cheesecake filling layer, contributing to its rich texture and flavor. Let the egg come to room temperature and beat it lightly in a small bowl before adding it to the filling. Baking with a room-temperature egg is best because the ingredients will mix more evenly.
• Kataifi: Kataifi is delicately shredded phyllo dough. In Dubai chocolate and many Dubai chocolate-inspired recipes, as well as Greek and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, the fine strands are toasted in melted butter until fully cooked and golden. Look for kataifi near frozen phyllo dough in your grocer’s freezer, at specialty food stores, or order it online.
• Tahini: A couple tablespoons of tahini are added to the filling layer. Since it’s made from sesame seeds, tahini adds a nuttiness to enhance the overall taste of the bars.
• Semisweet chocolate: These cheesecake bars are finished with a layer of luscious chocolate ganache on top. Use chopped semisweet chocolate bars to make the ganache for the best results.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream is warmed and poured over the chopped chocolate to make the ganache.

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