This Chocolate Pistachio Cake is a luxurious, flavor-packed dessert inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar. With two layers of moist chocolate cake, a rich filling of homemade pistachio-white chocolate cream mixed with crispy toasted kataifi pastry, and a whipped chocolate ganache frosting, it’s a masterpiece of textures and tastes. Crunchy, creamy, and deeply indulgent, this cake is perfect for special occasions, birthdays, or whenever you want to impress.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar

• 1¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour

• ½ cup (50 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ⅓ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup (112 g) olive oil or neutral vegetable oil

• ¾ cup (180 g) whole milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

For the Pistachio-Kataifi Filling:

• 10.6 oz (300 g) kataifi pastry

• 3.7 oz (105 g) butter

• 6.35 oz (180 g) white chocolate, chopped

• 2 tsp vegetable oil (optional, for smoother texture)

• 6.35 oz (180 g) natural pistachio butter

• Pinch of salt

For the Whipped Chocolate Ganache:

• 1½ cups (360 g) cold heavy whipping cream (35% fat)

• 1 tbsp (20 g) honey

• 10.6 oz (300 g) dark chocolate (55% cocoa or more), melted

Directions

Day Before Assembly:

1. Make the Cake:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add oil, milk, vanilla, and egg; whisk until smooth. Pour into an 8-inch greased and lined round cake pan. Bake 37–40 minutes. Cool completely.

2. Prepare Kataifi Filling:
   Fluff kataifi pastry by hand and toast with butter over medium heat until deep golden. Let cool.
   Melt white chocolate (and optional oil), stir in pistachio butter and salt. Let it cool slightly, then fold in kataifi. Set aside.

3. Make Ganache:
   Whip cold cream to soft peaks. Add honey, whip to combine. Fold in melted chocolate quickly until smooth. Chill until needed.

Day of Assembly:

1. Trim the dome of the cake and slice into two even layers.

2. Place one cake layer on a plate. Pipe ganache around the edge to form a border. Fill center with pistachio-kataifi mixture.

3. Place second cake layer on top. Frost entire cake with remaining ganache.

4. Smooth the surface using an offset spatula dipped in hot water. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

Nutrients (Per serving, approx. 12 servings)

• Calories: 758 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 71 g

• Protein: 11 g

• Fat: 52 g

• Saturated Fat: 24 g

• Cholesterol: 71 mg

• Sugar: 38 g

• Fiber: 6 g

• Sodium: 381 mg

• Calcium: 138 mg

• Iron: 3 mg

• Vitamin A: 744 IU

• Vitamin C: 1 mg

Inspired by the Viral Dubai Chocolate Bar

This cake takes its flavor inspiration from the iconic Dubai chocolate bar—a beloved treat made with a chocolate shell filled with pistachio cream and crispy pastry strands. That concept has taken social media by storm, sparking a wave of pistachio-forward recipes that blend sweetness, nuttiness, and crunch. The Chocolate Pistachio Cake translates that viral treat into a layered dessert, bringing all the textures and flavor notes into every slice.

Instead of being a candy bar, this version uses moist chocolate cake as its base, allowing the richness of cocoa to support the nutty pistachio filling and smooth ganache. The result is more elevated, more elegant, and suitable for both casual indulgence and high-end presentation.

Rich, Moist Chocolate Cake as the Foundation

The base of the cake is a moist and flavorful chocolate sponge that balances richness with softness. Olive oil or neutral vegetable oil adds moisture and depth, while Dutch-processed cocoa powder gives it that intense chocolate flavor and a deep, almost coffee-like hue. A touch of cinnamon adds warmth and intrigue, bringing out the subtle earthiness in both the chocolate and the pistachio elements.

This cake is sturdy enough to hold the dense filling and whipped ganache, yet soft enough to melt in the mouth. It bakes into a perfectly tender crumb that contrasts beautifully with the creamy and crunchy textures layered on top. This solid foundation makes every other component shine.

Pistachio-Kataifi Cream Filling: Crunch Meets Creaminess

At the heart of the cake lies the pistachio-kataifi filling—a component that transforms this dessert into something truly extraordinary. Kataifi, a finely shredded filo pastry popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sweets, is toasted to a deep golden brown and folded into a blend of white chocolate and natural pistachio butter. The result is a mixture that is simultaneously creamy and crunchy, sweet and nutty.

The pistachio flavor is intense, thanks to the use of pure pistachio butter. It’s earthy, slightly sweet, and adds richness that complements the chocolate base. The kataifi brings texture, offering crispness that resists becoming soggy, even after being encased in layers of cake and ganache.

This filling adds an unexpected twist—one that surprises and delights, especially for those who have never tasted kataifi in a cake before.

Whipped Chocolate Ganache: Smooth, Glossy, and Decadent

A whipped chocolate ganache ties everything together with its silky smooth texture and dark cocoa depth. Made by folding melted dark chocolate into softly whipped cream with a touch of honey, the ganache is rich without being heavy, airy without losing structure. It spreads beautifully over the cake and pipes with ease, making it an ideal finishing touch.

The ganache not only complements the chocolate cake layers but also serves as a stunning visual element. Its glossy sheen adds elegance, while its bittersweet profile contrasts with the sweetness of the white chocolate and pistachio in the filling. It’s a masterclass in balance—dark, light, and absolutely indulgent.

A Textural Symphony in Every Slice

One of the greatest strengths of this cake is the interplay of textures. It’s not just about flavor—it’s about how each bite feels. You begin with a forkful of soft chocolate cake, glide into a creamy ganache, hit the crispness of kataifi, and finally savor the smooth pistachio-white chocolate cream. It’s a full sensory experience that makes this cake much more than the sum of its parts.

The texture alone makes it an ideal centerpiece dessert. Guests will be intrigued by the crunch nestled inside the cream and the way it plays off the velvety layers around it. It’s unexpected, refined, and entirely satisfying.

A Dessert That’s Designed to Impress

Chocolate Pistachio Cake doesn’t just taste luxurious—it looks the part, too. Whether it’s adorned with crushed pistachios, piped ganache details, or a smooth glossy finish, it turns heads on any dessert table. The natural green of the pistachio filling adds a vibrant contrast to the dark ganache and sponge layers, creating a visually stunning effect when sliced.

It’s a great candidate for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or dinner parties where you want to wow your guests. It’s not overly difficult to make, but its flavor complexity and visual appeal make it look like you spent hours in a professional kitchen.

Perfect for Pistachio Lovers and Chocolate Enthusiasts Alike

This cake bridges the gap between two flavor fanbases—those who adore chocolate and those who can’t get enough of pistachio. Rarely do these two ingredients come together so harmoniously, and this recipe showcases just how complementary they can be.

For pistachio lovers, the pure nut butter and crispy kataifi bring out all the richness and aroma that define high-quality pistachio desserts. For chocolate lovers, the deep ganache and moist cake provide everything you want from a premium chocolate treat. It’s the kind of dessert that satisfies on every level.

Make-Ahead Friendly and Worth the Effort

Though this cake has multiple components, they can all be prepared ahead of time. The cake can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. The pistachio filling holds well at room temperature once cooled, and the ganache can be whipped and chilled until you’re ready to assemble.

When brought together, the cake benefits from a brief rest to allow the layers to meld and settle. A quick chill firms everything up, making slicing easier and enhancing the overall experience. It’s a dessert that rewards a bit of planning with showstopping results.

Conclusion

Chocolate Pistachio Cake is a bold, luxurious dessert that brings viral inspiration into the home kitchen. With its layers of moist chocolate sponge, creamy pistachio-white chocolate filling, crunchy kataifi strands, and rich whipped ganache, it’s a true celebration of texture and flavor. Every bite is indulgent yet balanced, elegant yet comforting.

Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any moment you want to make memorable, this cake proves that stunning desserts don’t have to be difficult to make. It invites you to explore new ingredients, celebrate bold flavors, and create something that’s as rewarding to bake as it is to eat.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply indulge in something extraordinary, this cake delivers beauty, balance, and unforgettable flavor in every slice.