Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

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.

Directions

Step 1: Make the crust

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, letting the ends extend up the sides. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until moistened. Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan.

Editor’s Tip: Use the base of a glass or a measuring cup to firmly press the graham cracker crumbs into the pan.

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Bake the crust until the edges begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Make, bake and chill the cheesecake layer

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In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the pistachio cream, milk and vanilla extract. Beat in the egg until just combined.

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Pour the filling mixture over the cooled crust. Bake the cheesecake until the center is almost set, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate the cheesecake in the pan for at least four hours or overnight.

Step 3: Toast the kataifi

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Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Toast the kataifi in the butter until golden brown, six to eight minutes. Let cool.

Step 4: Make the kataifi filling

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In a large bowl, stir together the toasted kataifi, pistachio cream and tahini.

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Spread the kataifi layer evenly over the chilled cheesecake. Transfer the pan back to the refrigerator while making the ganache.

Step 5: Top with chocolate ganache

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Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-safe bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream to a low simmer. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Wait one minute before whisking until smooth.

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Pour the ganache over the kataifi layer. Let the cheesecake bars set in the refrigerator, covered, for one hour before slicing and serving. If desired, garnish with crushed pistachios.

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Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Variations

• Try another crust: This recipe makes use of a classic graham cracker crust, but there are plenty of other crumb crust ingredients you could use as a base. Try a chocolate cookie crumb crust (follow the recipe for our Oreo pie crust) or even one made with Nilla wafers or shortbread.
• Go for dark chocolate: Semisweet chocolate provides a nice, balanced flavor for the ganache layer on top of these cheesecake bars. However, you can opt for a more robust flavor with dark chocolate or even use milk chocolate for something sweeter.
• Sprinkle with sea salt: Sweet, nutty and salty are the perfect combination. Before the ganache sets, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt to finish off the bars.

How to Store Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

As with any cheesecake or cheesecake bars, these Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars should be stored in the refrigerator. Keep them in an airtight container or wrapped in storage wrap to maintain their flavor and texture.

How long do Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars last?

Keep these cheesecake bars stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Can you freeze Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars?

You can certainly freeze extra cheesecake bars to keep on hand for a sweet treat in the future. Place the bars on a plate or baking sheet, uncovered, and freeze for one to two hours until solid. Then, wrap the bars in layers of storage wrap and aluminum foil. Store the cheesecake bars in the freezer for up to two months and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator.

Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bar Tips

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How do you keep the graham cracker crust from crumbling when cutting the cheesecake bars?

Lining the pan with a parchment sling will help make it simpler to lift the bars out for easy cutting. Be sure the cheesecake bars fully cool and set, and use a sharp chef’s knife, wiping it clean between slices.

How do you know when Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars are done baking?

Just as with a full-size cheesecake, testing to see if cheesecake bars are done baking is all in the wobble cheesecake test. Before removing the cheesecake bars from the oven, gently tap the pan to see if the cheesecake jiggles. If the outer edges are set and the center slightly jiggles, the cheesecake bars are done. If the entire pan wiggles quite a bit, they need more time in the oven.

Will chocolate ganache set fully?

Chocolate ganache has a dreamy, smooth texture. The ganache layer on top of these Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars will be soft-set and not fully hard, which makes for delightfully soft bites into the bars.

Can you use pistachio butter for Dubai chocolate cheesecake bars?

For this recipe, it’s best to use pistachio cream for the ideal consistency. What’s the difference between pistachio butter and pistachio cream? Pistachio butter is made up of simply ground pistachios, while pistachio cream is nutty and sweet with the addition of sugar and oil.