If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m obsessed with reimagining desserts I fall in love with. Recently, my son and I did another Crumbl taste test, and I was shocked by how much I enjoyed the Crumbl Dubai Brownie. 

I haven’t been able to get it out of my head—rich chocolate, nutty pistachio, a hint of tahini, and that gorgeous topping. So, naturally, I headed to the kitchen to create my own version.

Say hello to my Dubai Chocolate Brownie Recipe for perfect easy-to-share bars: a decadent, over-the-top treat with layers of flavor and texture that will make you feel like you’re indulging in something straight out of a luxury bakery.

What is a Dubai Chocolate Bar?

The Dubai Chocolate Bar is marketed as a premium chocolate experience. This bar is known for its rich, high-quality ingredients, smooth texture, and indulgent taste. Many people are drawn to its gold-wrapped packaging too. 

Influencers and foodies have shared videos of themselves unwrapping and tasting the chocolate, praising its decadent flavors and velvety consistency. The viral appeal is also fueled by the exclusivity of the product—it’s not widely available, making it highly desirable – and EXPENSIVE. 

A single bar costs between $10-$30, depending on where you buy it. Luckily, we’re starting to see a ton of copycat recipes you can make at home for less.

Why You’ll Love These Dubai Brownies

These brownies are all about balance. You’ll start with my signature homemade brownie base—super fudgy, perfectly rich, and deeply chocolatey. 

Then we layer in a creamy pistachio filling with a touch of tahini for that earthy depth, plus crispy toasted kataifi (a shredded phyllo pastry) for crunch.

And because we always love options, you can finish these brownies with either:

1. A silky milk chocolate ganache for a soft, glossy finish.
2. A snappy milk chocolate shell (just like Crumbl’s version!) for that satisfying crack when you bite in.

Whether you’re baking for a dinner party, a special celebration, or just because you deserve it (and you do!), this easy recipe for brownies is a showstopper.

Let’s Talk About the Layers

Brownie Base: My go-to brownie recipe is rich, chewy, and simple to make. It’s the perfect canvas for bold flavors.

Pistachio Cream & Tahini Filling: The filling is velvety and nutty, with a beautiful balance of sweetness and depth. A hint of tahini brings warmth and complexity.

Complement your kitchen with my baking tools ⤵

Toasted Kataifi: This step is so worth it! Kataifi adds a layer of crunch that makes every bite more exciting. You’ll toast it in butter until golden and fragrant. You can also buy pre-toasted Kataifi.

Milk Chocolate Topping: Choose between a smooth, creamy ganache or a shiny, breakable shell. The ganache gives a truffle-like bite, while the shell delivers a bakery-style crunch.

Flavor Notes

What makes these brownies “Dubai” is the luxurious flavor profile:

• Pistachio is often used in Middle Eastern desserts for their vibrant color and nutty sweetness.
• Tahini adds a deep, roasted sesame flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
• Kataifi pastry is commonly found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sweets, adding texture and elegance.

Together, these ingredients make a brownie that’s indulgent, exciting, and just a little exotic.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (88.5 g) good-quality dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (180 g) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups (440 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

The Filling:

• 8 ounces pistachio cream (reserve 1 oz for drizzle)
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 7 ounces toasted kataifi

For the Ganache:

• 2 cups (about one 11-oz bag) milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (114 g) heavy whipping cream

Equipment

• 9″ x 13″ baking dish
• Nonstick spray
• Medium-sized mixing bowl
• Medium-sized saucepan
• Measuring cup
• Microwave-safe bowl

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How to Make Dubai Chocolate Brownies

Step 1: Prepare the Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter and the bittersweet chocolate chips until smooth.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

Add the brown sugar to the butter and stir until smooth.

Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring well between each addition.

Stir in the vanilla.

Add the flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain.

Fold in 3/4 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining semi-sweet chocolate chips on top.

Bake the brownies for 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Combine 7 ounces of pistachio cream and tahini in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix to combine. Save the extra 1 ounce of cream to drizzle on top of the brownies.

Stir in the kataifi.

Once the brownies are cooled to room temperature, carefully spread the filling over the brownies.

Step 3: Add the Ganache

Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for about 45 to 60 seconds. Stir until the chocolate is melted. Let cool slightly before spreading on top of the filling.

Use the remaining 1 oz of the pistachio cream to drizzle on top of the brownies.

Alternatively, you can use the milk chocolate chips with just 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to make more of a “hard shell” topping.

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Baking & Serving Tips

• Use high-quality cocoa and chocolate for the best flavor in your brownie base.
• If you’re opting for the hard chocolate shell, cutting into the brownies can be a little tricky. I would recommend letting the chocolate set till it’s nearly hardened and then cut slices. If you wait until it’s totally set, it will be hard to get clean slices without pushing the filling out. If you don’t wait long enough, you’ll get a huge mess from the melted chocolate.
• If you opt for the ganache topping, you will want to let the ganache set to room temperature before cutting.
• As always, using a sharp knife or warming it up with hot water and then drying it can help get clean slices.

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FAQs

What is so special about Dubai chocolate?

Dubai chocolate became viral for its incredible texture combination! It’s milk chocolate filled with crispy, shredded phyllo pastry (kataifi) and rich pistachio butter. The contrast between smooth chocolate and crunchy filling creates an amazing sensory experience that’s absolutely irresistible and totally worth the hype!

Where do I find pistachio cream?

Amazon is an easy option, but I’m also noticing pistachio cream popping up in more grocery stores, Walmart, and even Costco. I recently visited a local grocery store (Harmons in Utah) and found pistachio cream on the shelf next to peanut butter. The price at the store was about $5 cheaper than Amazon too.

Can I use pistachio butter?

No, I would actually not recommend using pistachio butter or paste. It’s not as sweet and creamy as the pistachio cream. One way to compare them is, pistachio butter is like almond butter and pistachio cream is like nutella 🙂

Can I use a box brownie mix?

Yes, totally. I love Ghirardelli brownie mixes and the dark chocolate mix would be the perfect base for this recipe. Just remember the box mix is usually meant for an 8-inch by 8-inch pan or 9-inch by 9-inch pan so you will want to cut the filling and topping in half.

What is the difference between Dubai chocolate and normal chocolate?

Regular chocolate bars are smooth throughout, but Dubai chocolate features that signature crunchy kataifi filling mixed with pistachio paste. It’s like biting into a chocolate bar that has a surprise crispy center – the texture contrast makes each bite exciting and completely different from traditional solid chocolate bars.

Is Crumbl cookie making a Dubai chocolate brownie?

Yes! Crumbl launched their Dubai chocolate brownie range in August 2025, and I recently had the pleasure of taste-testing with my son, Westin. We were both impressed!

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If you like the Dubai Chocolate Brownies, be sure to check out my Dubai Chocolate Bar CAKE!

For the Brownies

• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (88.5 g) good quality dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (180 g) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups (440 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Filling

• 8 ounces pistachio cream, (reserve 1 oz for drizzle)
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 7 ounces toasted kataifi

For the Ganache

• 2 cups (about one 11-oz bag) milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (114 g) heavy whipping cream

For the Brownies

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.

• In a medium size mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.

• In a medium size saucepan, melt the butter and the bittersweet chocolate chips until smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

• Add the brown sugar to the butter and stir until smooth.

• Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring well between each addition.

• Stir in the vanilla.

• Add the flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain.

• Fold in 3/4 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining semi-sweet chocolate chips on top.

• Bake the brownies for 25 to 30 minutes.

• Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

For the Filling

• Combine 7 ounces pistachio cream and tahini in a medium size mixing bowl. Mix to combine. (Save the extra 1 ounce of cream to drizzle on top of the brownies).

• Stir in the kataifi.

• Once the brownies are cooled to room temperature, carefully spread the filling over the brownies.

For the Ganache

• Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for about 45 to 60 seconds. Stir until the chocolate is melted. Let cool slightly before spreading on top of the filling.

• Use remaining 1 oz of the pistachio cream to drizzle on top of the brownies.

• Alternatively, you can use the milk chocolate chips with just 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to make more of a “hard shell” topping.

Where can I buy pistachio cream and Kataifi? I have now found pistachio cream in several places: Amazon, Walmart, Harmons (local to Utah), and World Market. Some Costcos also sell it. Toasted Kataifi can be found on Amazon and Walmart. You can also buy shredded phyllo dough at some grocery stores in the frozen dessert section. You will then just cook this over the stove with a little butter to toast it on your own.