Dubai chocolate bars have been blowing up all over social media, so after making my very own batch from scratch (and loving it so much—recipe linked below!), I decided it was also time to make homemade Dubai Strawberry Cups. Freshly chopped strawberries are layered with crispy, golden shredded kataifi dough and rich pistachio cream, then generously covered in warm, melted chocolate. It’s sweet, crunchy, and creamy all in one bite. Y’all—you’ve got to try these, they taste AMAZING!

Dubai Strawberry Cups

If you’ve got a sweet tooth and love trying fun new treats, you’re gonna want to stick around for this one!

It all started when I decided to try my hand at making Dubai Chocolate Bars. After that huge SUCCESS, I went on to make the viral Dubai chocolate strawberry cup.

These Dubai strawberry cups are an authentic copycat of the viral dessert people can’t stop talking about on various social media platforms.

Let me tell you—there’s a reason everyone’s freaking out! There’s nothing quite like them.

Dubai chocolate strawberries are simple yet elegant treat that’s as delicious as it looks!

Whether you’re hosting guests or just want something special for yourself, these strawberry cups are sure to impress. They’re easy to make and full of flavor in every bite.

What are Dubai Strawberry Cups?

Dubai strawberry cups are a sweet little treat inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar.

This viral recipe is a low-fuss treat that layers juicy strawberries, crispy kataifi dough, and rich, creamy pistachio cream. Then it’s all smothered in warm chocolate—usually dark chocolate chips or a melted milk chocolate bar.

It’s a perfect chocolate-fruit combination! Here’s a picture of my homemade Dubai Chocolate Bars:

Why You’ll Love My Dubai Strawberry Cups

Y’all— I’ve always thought that chocolate and strawberries were the best dessert pairing. But the way I layer the pistachio-phyllo mixture with the strawberries and chocolate in this decadent Dubai strawberry cup just blows that away!

Here’s why you’ll love it:

Simple yet elegant: These cups may look extravagant, but they’re easy to make! With just a few basic steps—toast the pastry, layer the ingredients, and pour on the chocolate—you’ll have a beautiful dessert without a lot of effort.
Inspired by a viral favorite: This recipe is a creative take on a trending dessert that’s caught attention around the world. It brings a touch of something new and exciting to your table.
Perfect for special moments: Whether you just want to enjoy something sweet after dinner, enjoy a stay-at-home date night, or make something special for Valentine’s Day, these strawberry cups are the perfect choice!
Great presentation: Served in a small glass or dish, these cups make an impressive dessert for guests or gatherings. They’re easy to portion and look beautiful on the table.

Ingredients for Dubai Strawberry Cups

Fresh Strawberries: You’ll want to use fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
Pistachio Cream: Be sure to use pistachio cream, not pistachio butter. It’s smoother, sweeter, and adds a rich, luxurious flavor to every bite. You can usually find it at a local Middle Eastern grocery store or online.
Kataifi Dough: This finely shredded kataifi dough (also called konafah) gives the dessert its light crunch. Cut it into small pieces using a very sharp knife or kitchen scissors.
Salted Butter: You’ll need salted butter to toast the dough.
Salt to Taste: A little pinch of salt balances the sweetness and makes the flavors pop. Don’t skip this—you’d be surprised how much difference a touch of salt makes!
Chocolate: I like to use one Tony’s milk chocolate bar for a smooth, rich drizzle, but feel free to melt down your favorite chocolate or use chocolate chips instead. Don’t feel like melting anything? No problem—you can simply sprinkle chocolate chips right on top. It’s totally up to you! If you’re feeling lazy, you could also just use a chocolate sauce.
Chopped pistachios: Add a final sprinkle of crunchy pistachios on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.

How to Make Dubai Strawberry Cups

Toast the dough: In a large skillet or deep pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add your chopped kataifi dough in small batches so it cooks evenly without overcrowding. Stir often and toast slowly for about 15–20 minutes per batch, until it turns beautifully golden brown. Once done, transfer to a paper towel-lined dish and lightly sprinkle with salt.

Mix with Pistachio Cream: Once all your dough is toasted and cooled, combine it with your pistachio cream. (I usually mix half a 17.6 oz package of toasted dough with half of a 10.5 oz jar of pistachio cream.)

Melt the Chocolate: In a double boiler, gently melt your favorite chocolate.

Layer Ingredients: Grab a glass cup, Mason jar, or bowl (clear ones are great for presentation). Start with a few sliced fresh strawberries, then add a spoonful of the pistachio-dough mixture. Next, drizzle on some of the melted chocolate, and sprinkle a few crunchy pistachios if you’d like. Keep layering until your cup is full.

Serve and Enjoy: These chocolate strawberry cups are best enjoyed fresh, and they’re perfect for a special occasion like a dinner party, Valentine’s Day, or even a late night treat.

Notes on Pistachio Cream

When it comes to making these strawberry cups, you can’t swap the pistachio cream!

Not to be confused with creamy pistachio butter or paste, which have a much thicker, gritty texture. You’ll want the real deal—smooth, silky, and spreadable. Sometimes it’s labeled as pistachio spread, so don’t let the name change confuse you!

Pistachio cream is a bit like a green version of melted white chocolate. It’s completely smooth, with no chunks, and has a rich, natural flavor with just the right hint of sweetness. The velvety texture is what makes the pistachio-phyllo mixture layer so irresistible.

In comparison, pistachio nut butter or paste is much thicker and often has visible bits of nut. Great for some uses, but not this one!

It’s been tricky to find in stores near me lately (seems like everyone’s jumping on this dessert bandwagon), so I’m planning to try a homemade version soon. If it turns out well, I’ll be sure to share it here on the blog!

Where to Buy Pistachio Cream

Your best bet for a good price is a local Middle Eastern grocery store, Turkish market, or European food shop. Around here, it usually runs between $8–$12 for a 10.5oz jar. Online stores like Amazon carry it too, but expect to pay more—typically $18–$25 for the same size.

No matter where you buy it, make sure you’re getting a high-quality jar! A good pistachio cream is what takes your chocolate strawberry cups from “yum” to absolute perfection.

Here are a some high quality brands on Amazon: Crema al Pistacchio and Sicania Premium Pistachio Cream.

Stay tuned—I’ll post my homemade version if it passes the test!

Konafah Dough/Kataifi Pastry

This dough might be new to you, but it’s a staple in many Middle Eastern desserts. It looks like fine, shredded noodles or threads and turns perfectly golden brown and crispy when baked with melted butter.

You might see it spelled a few different ways—kanafeh, kunafa, knafeh, or konafah—but it all refers to the same thing: a traditional shredded pastry used in various desserts.

Do not try to substitute it!

Some people online have suggested things like shredded cereal (like Mini Wheats). I gave it a shot out of curiosity, and trust me—not good. It’s nowhere near the real thing!

The shredded cereal gets soggy or chewy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try slicing phyllo dough into very thin strips, but it’s a process and still won’t match the texture of real kataifi dough.

Other Recipe Notes

Hard-to-Find Ingredients: I found both the kataifi dough and the pistachio cream at a local Middle Eastern grocery store. These ingredients are typically sold at Middle Eastern, Turkish, or European markets, so check those first if you have one nearby. You can also find them online (like on Amazon), but be warned—the prices are often much higher.
Use FROZEN Dough: Make sure you get the frozen kataifi dough, not the dried kind. The dried version just doesn’t work—it lacks the texture you need for the amazing crunch and it won’t give you he golden brown finish we’re after.

Other Sweets You’ll Love

Storage

These Dubai strawberry cups are definitely best when made fresh and enjoyed right away. But if you want to prep ahead or enjoy them over time, you can!

The prepared mixture of toasted kataifi dough and pistachio cream will keep well (just don’t layer it until you’re ready to serve it!) Store it in an airtight container and it’ll last up to 1 week at room temperature, or a couple of weeks in the fridge.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

For best results, stick with fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries tend to release a lot of liquid when they thaw, which will make your layers soggy.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

These chocolate strawberry cups are best when assembled fresh, right before serving, so the textures stay just right. But the good news is, you can prep parts of it ahead!

The toasted kataifi dough mixed with pistachio cream keeps well for up to a week at room temperature, or even longer in the fridge. That means you can layer everything up whenever you’re ready to eat it.

Help! I don’t have a double boiler pan. What can I do?

No worries! You can use a simple handy kitchen hack: place a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir your chocolate gently until melted. It works just like a double boiler and gives you a smooth, warm chocolate perfect for drizzling over your Dubai strawberries.

Print Pin

Dubai Strawberry Cups

Ingredients

One quart of strawberries or more or less to taste, sliced
One 10.5 oz jar of pistachio cream (NOT pistachio butter—it is not the same thing. You may need to buy two jars! I use 1.5 jars, but you can start with one and add more if you'd like to.)
One 17.6 oz package of frozen konafah or kataifi dough (they are the same thing) cut into pieces using a very sharp knife or sharp chef scissors
A couple tablespoons of salted butter
Salt to taste
Chocolate—I prefer to use one Tony’s milk chocolate bar, but you can use chocolate chips or whatever your favorite chocolate to melt down. Alternatively if you don’t want warm chocolate, you can even sprinkle on chocolate chips without having to melt anything down. Up to you!
Chopped pistachios

Instructions

In a large skillet or deep pot, melt the butter, Add the chopped Konafah dough. I like to do this in two separate batches so that I don’t overcrowd my pan and my dough browns evenly. Cook on medium/low heat, stirring often, being careful not to burn. It will take about 15-20 minutes per batch. Low and slow! Once it’s all browned, transfer to a paper towel lined dish and give it a slight sprinkle of salt.
Once your konafah is toasted, mix it with your pistachio cream. I use one 17.6 oz package of konafah with 1.5 jars of the 10.5oz pistachio cream. To me, that is the perfect ratio. Start out with 1 full jar and then add more if you'd like to.
In a double boiler, melt your chocolate.
In a cup or bowl, (I like to use a clear cup), layer your toppings. Some sliced strawberries, followed by the konafah/pistachio mixture (which is what makes Dubai chocolate so good!!! I could eat the entire bowl of just that!), some melted chocolate, and some chopped pistachios (optional). Repeat until your hearts desire!

How to Make the Viral Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup at Home