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Dubai Chocolate Bars

These rich and sweet bars are made with dark chocolate, a soft date filling, pistachios, and warm spices, topped with chocolate ganache for a luxurious treat.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine: International, Middle Eastern
Calories: 245
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the chocolate base
  • 200 g dark chocolate (around 70%)
  • 100 g unsalted butter, cubed
  • 3 tbsp honey (or date syrup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder
  • Pinch sea salt
For the date filling
  • 200 g Medjool dates, pitted
  • 50 g pistachios, chopped
  • 2 tbsp orange blossom water
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
For the ganache topping
  • 100 g milk chocolate
  • 50 ml heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp honey
For garnish
  • Chopped pistachios
  • Dried rose petals (optional)
  • Edible gold dust (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Melt dark chocolate and butter using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
  3. Stir in honey, vanilla, cardamom, and salt.
  4. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into the pan and chill for 20 minutes.
Add the Date Filling
  1. Blend dates with orange blossom water and cinnamon into a thick paste.
  2. Stir in chopped pistachios.
  3. Spread the date mixture evenly over the chilled chocolate base.
  4. Chill for another 20 minutes.
Top with Ganache
  1. Heat cream and honey until hot, then pour it over milk chocolate.
  2. Let sit for 2 minutes before stirring until smooth.
  3. Pour the ganache over the chilled bars.
  4. Sprinkle with pistachios, and optional rose petals or gold dust.
  5. Chill for 2 or more hours until firm, then slice into bars.

Notes

Serve chilled or slightly softened at room temperature. These bars are great with Arabic coffee or as a dessert.