Easy Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake
This Easy Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake consists of layers of a (dare I say it) moist strawberry cake topped with a pistachio kataifi pastry mixture, fresh strawberries, and melted chocolate.
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Creamy, crunchy, and so darn delicious, this Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake was the star of the show when I made it over the weekend.
This Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake is inspired by the viral Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups, which seem to be just as popular as their counterpart, the viral Dubai Chocolate Bar.
However, if you happen to be wondering…
What are Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups?
These are decadent treats consisting of fresh strawberries that are smothered with a mixture of pistachio cream with toasted kataifi and melted chocolate and served in cups. They are basically Dubai chocolate covered strawberries!
These dessert cups taste so exotic. To me, the combined flavors of pistachio, chocolate, and strawberries are hard to resist. And these cups are so easy and quick to make, with a total time of around 5 to 8 minutes! This is heavenly for people like me with a sweet tooth that needs immediate gratification at times.
Getting back to this Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake…
I am currently nursing an adoration for everything Dubai Chocolate, so this cake is my spin on those Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups.
This cake is made up of 4 layers.
The first layer is a delicious, one-bowl, fresh strawberry cake with a hint of cardamom. Studded with fresh strawberries, this cake is so easy to make.
The strawberry cake is topped with a second layer of homemade pistachio butter and toasted kataifi dough with a crunchy and creamy texture.
Then comes a third layer of fresh, juicy strawberries.
The next/fourth layer is a drizzle of melted chocolate.
This Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a delicious and light dessert that pairs well with a cup of coffee or a dessert wine.
What are the ingredients needed to make this Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake?
For this Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake, I used the first 9 ingredients listed below for the cake and the last 4 for the other layers. These ingredients are:
- Eggs
- Avocado Oil
- Fresh Starwberries
- Granulated Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Cardamom
- Pistachio Butter or pistachio cream
- Butter
- Kataifi
- Good quality milk chocolate
Substitutions
Strawberry Cake
Similar to this Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe, this Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake is one that requires just a few pantry-staple ingredients. Even though eggs are currently not quite budget-friendly, I do not suggest substituting ingredients such as eggs or salt in this recipe. And I would strongly recommend fresh strawberries over frozen ones.
As for the other ingredients, avocado oil can be substituted with olive oil or canola oil. Granulated sugar could be replaced with a zero-calorie sweetener. All-purpose flour can be replaced with gluten-free flour. And, if you do not have any AP flour, baking powder, and baking soda, but have some self-raising flour, the self-raising flour can be substituted for the other three ingredients. I think cardamom pairs well with strawberries; however, if you do not have any on hand, then feel free to omit it.
Pistachio Kataifi Layer
This layer is a mix of my homemade pistachio butter and kataifi toasted with some butter. Kataifi, which is often described as being similar to shredded filo pastry, is a thin pastry that is popular in Middle Eastern desserts like Kunafa (AKA Knafeh). This FB Reel has an explanation as to the process of making kataifi. Kataifi pastry can be found on Amazon or at most Middle Eastern stores.
If you prefer, instead of homemade pistachio butter, you can use some pistachio cream or pistachio butter. If you are a Costco member, I have seen several social media posts that say that some Costco locations have large jars of Pisti brand pistachio cream for around $16!
I recently came across a container of premixed pistachio cream and kataifi on Amazon. It is on the pricey side, but if you plan on making many versions of Dubai Chocolate treats, then this might be an option for you.
Strawberry Layer
Fresh strawberries work best for this layer. Frozen strawberries, even when thawed out, tend to have more liquid that seems to seep out of them and into the other layers, making this a bit more goey than it’s intended to be.
Chocolate Layer
I used a milk chocolate bar for this layer, but dark chocolate, white chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate chips can also be used. A chocolate ganache can also be substituted.
Directions
Strawberry Cake Layer
For this layer, start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, using a spoon or whisk, mix together the dry ingredients such as the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and sugar.
Then, add in the wet ingredients, such as the eggs and oil, and mix well.
Rinse and chop up the strawberries and add them into the batter and stir well.
Line a 9-inch x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, and spray it with oil or cooking spray.
Then, pour the cake batter into the parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool.
Pistachio Kataifi Layer
I added some kataif and butter to a medium pan and set it over a stovetop set to medium heat. I toasted the kataifi until it was golden brown. Then, I added some of my homemade pistachio butter into the crispy kataifi pastry and mixed them. Then, I added this to the top of the cooled strawberry cake using a butter knife.
Strawberry Layer
I rinsed and chopped up some strawberries and added these on top of the pistachio kataifi layer.
Chocolate Layer
For this layer, I added some milk chocolate to a microwave-safe dish and microwaved it for 30 seconds. If the chocolate hasn’t melted, microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds more. Stir the chocolate and drizzle the melted chocolate over the strawberries.
And this gorgeous and delicious cake is ready to enjoy!
Variations
If you cannot find kataifi pastry, then this strawberry cake can be topped with some pistachio butter or pistachio cream and some chopped pistachios for a bit of a crunch.
This can be topped with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or a combination of your favorite berries. You could even add in some sliced bananas for an interesting twist. Then, this cake can be drizzled with melted chocolate or a rich chocolate ganache. Or, you could even use this 3-ingredient chocolate mousse as a topping!
The fresh strawberry cake can also be enjoyed as it is. It can also be enjoyed with some whipped topping or your favorite frosting.
No matter how I have chosen to serve this Easy Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cake, it has been the perfect way to end a meal. And, sometimes (like this morning), the perfect way to start the day!
Check out these other recipes inspired by the viral Dubai Chocolate:
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin. For more fusion, spice-filled, recipe ideas, please subscribe and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest!
Ingredients
Strawberry Cake Layer
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup avocado oil
- 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cardamom
Pistachio Kataifi Layer
- 1/4 cup Pistachio butter
- 3 tbsp kataifi
- 1 tbsp butter
Strawberry Layer
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
Chocolate Layer
- 1/2 cup chocolate
Instructions
Strawberry Cake Layer
- For this layer, start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
- Then, using a spoon or whisk, mix together the dry ingredients such as the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and sugar.
- Then, add in the wet ingredients, such as the eggs and oil, and mix well.
- Rinse and chop up the strawberries and add them into the batter and stir well.
- Line a 9-inch x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, and spray it with oil or cooking spray.
- Then, pour the cake batter into the parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
Pistachio Kataifi Layer
- Add kataif and butter to a medium pan and set it over a stovetop set to medium heat. Toast the kataifi until it is golden brown.
- Then, add homemade pistachio butter into the crispy kataifi pastry and mix well.
- Then, I add this to the top of the cooled strawberry cake using a butter knife.
Strawberry Layer
- Rinse and chop the rest of the fresh strawberries and add these on top of the pistachio kataifi layer.
Chocolate Layer
- For this layer, chop up the bar of milk chocolate and add it to a microwave-safe dish. Microwave it for 30 seconds. If the chocolate hasn’t melted, microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds more. Stir the chocolate and drizzle the melted chocolate over the strawberries.
Enjoy!
- And, this cake is assnmbled and ready to enjoy!
Wow, this looks impressive and sounds fabulous. I haven’t even tasted this trendy chocolate yet, and you’ve already got so many cool spins. Super creative!
What an epic dessert!
Simply fantastic!
When I saw “Dubai chocolate strawberry..” as part of the heading, I was not expecting this! This cake sounds delicious. I have made the pumpkin cake and love it so I will have to try this too! Thank you!
I do agree, this is a showstopper! This topping would be quite the conversation starter – a strawberry cake without frosting but with a Dubai Chocolate inspired topping! Love this!