Dubai Chocolate Cake

A rich, luxurious chocolate cake inspired by the flavors often associated with “Dubai-style” desserts: chocolate, pistachio, tahini, and crispy kataifi pastry.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee or hot water

For the Pistachio Kataifi Filling

• 2 cups kataifi pastry, chopped
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup pistachio cream
• 2 tbsp tahini
• Pinch of salt

For the Chocolate Ganache

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tbsp butter

Garnish

• Crushed pistachios
• Melted chocolate drizzle
• Gold sprinkles or edible gold leaf (optional)

Some ingredients are available to purchase HERE

Instructions

1. Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together:
   • flour
   • cocoa powder
   • sugar
   • baking soda
   • baking powder
   • salt
4. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
5. Mix until smooth.
6. Stir in hot coffee carefully — batter will be thin.
7. Divide into pans and bake 30–35 minutes.
8. Cool completely.

2. Prepare the Kataifi Filling

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chopped kataifi pastry and cook until golden and crisp.
3. Remove from heat and mix with:
   • pistachio cream
   • tahini
   • pinch of salt

Let cool slightly.

3. Make the Ganache

1. Heat cream until steaming (not boiling).
2. Pour over chopped chocolate.
3. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until glossy.
4. Mix in butter.

4. Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a plate.
2. Spread pistachio kataifi filling evenly on top.
3. Add second cake layer.
4. Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.

5. Decorate

Top with:

• crushed pistachios
• chocolate drizzle
• edible gold for a dramatic Dubai-style finish

Tips

• Pistachio cream (not pistachio butter) gives the filling its signature sweet, creamy flavor.
• Kataifi pastry can usually be found in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean grocery stores.
• Chill the cake for 20 minutes before slicing for cleaner layers.

Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.