I was inspired by all the viral Dubai chocolate videos and wanted to make a slightly healthier version so I came up with this idea of making Viral Dubai Chocolate Style Stuffed Dates with pistachio kunafah and covered with a thin layer of chocolate. These stuffed Dates turned out so dreamy and delicious even though the recipe is a little messy as pistachio paste and chocolate both are sticky, it is still worth giving it a try.
What goes into stuffed dates
Dates/Khajoor
You need some good quality dates, preferably bigger in size as you will be stuffing them for this Viral Dubai Chocolate Style Stuffed Dates recipe, and it’s just easier to stuff. Make a cut in the center of each date, remove the pit, and have it ready.
If you have a Middle Eastern grocery store nearby, you can easily find it there. Otherwise, follow the link to get it. Pistachio paste is very addicting, you can also use any leftover as flavored butter and serve it with pancakes or french toast.
Kataifi is shredded phyllo dough, which you can find at the Middle Eastern grocery stores in the freezer section. I only used 1/4 of the package for this recipe. You can also get it from the following link.
Thaw the kataifi according to the package directions, then use a cutting board and knife to cut it into small pieces. Sometimes I just use kitchen scissors.
Ghee or butter
You need about 3 tbsp of ghee or 4 tbsp of butter. Add ghee or butter in a pan, let it melt over medium heat, and then add the shredded kataifi. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly. Once golden in color, take it out in a bowl and let it cool down.
Once at room temperature, start adding the pistachio paste a little at a time and mix until you get a paste-like consistency.
Now, with the help of a small spoon, fill this pistachio kunafah in each date for your Viral Dubai Chocolate Style Stuffed Dates.
Chocolate
You can use any chocolate of your choice; I used some good quality chocolate chips. You can melt it over a water boiler or in the microwave. Keep the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, take it out, and mix. Then put it back in the microwave for 10-second intervals and mix in between until completely melted.
Use a toothpick or a fork to hold the dates and dip them in the melted chocolate. Try to keep the chocolate layer thin.
Garnish with some chopped pistachios, but that’s optional.
How to gift these viral dubai chocolate style dates
I like to go an extra step when preparing gifts; I carefully place each date in a small, colorful cupcake liner, which adds a delightful touch of charm and whimsy. Then, I arrange them neatly in a cute, decorative box that complements the overall aesthetic. To make the gift even more special, I added a heartfelt greeting, expressing my warm wishes and thoughts before presenting it to my loved ones.
Viral Dubai Chocolate Style Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 4 oz kataifi
- 3 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1/2 cup pistachio paste
- 12 dates or more as needed
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 8 pistachio for garnish or more
Instructions
- Thaw kataifi according to the package directions.
- Then use a knife or kitchen scissors to cut it thinly.
- In a pan, add ghee and let it melt, then add kataifi and cook over medium heat while stirring continuously, once it's golden brown take it out in a bowl and let it cool down.
- Meanwhile, remove the seeds from the dates and have them ready. Layer a tray with the parchment paper, and chop the pistachios for garnish.
- Once kataifi is at room temperature add pistachio paste a little at a time and mix until it makes a paste-like consistency.
- Now fill the dates with this kataifi paste with the help of a spoon.
- Keep the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, take it out, and mix. Then put it back in the microwave for 10-second intervals and mix in between until completely melted.
- Now dip the stuffed dates in the melted chocolate, try to have a thin layer. Put it on the parchment-lined tray. Garnish with chopped pistachios.
- Let them rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before serving.
- Always store in a cool and dry place.