How To Make The Viral Kunafa Chocolate At Home: Special Sweets That Can’t Be Missed
Written by Devki Nehra | September 6, 2024
If you are aware of the internet food trends, then the latest dish to take foodies by storm is the viral kunafa chocolate. What’s special about this chocolate kunafa recipe is that it is the perfect combination of rich, velvety chocolate with a crunchy, sweet, and pistachio-forward filling. While you might not be able to fly down to Dubai for an impromptu tasting of this viral sensation, you can definitely recreate it at home with just a bit of effort and some quality ingredients.
What Is Kunafa Chocolate And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Kunafa, also spelled as knafeh, is a traditional Arabic dessert that is made with spun pastry (kataifi) and then soaked in scented sugar syrup. The pastry is layered with clotted cream, pistachios, and other nuts, depending on which region or country it’s being made in. While you might not be able to get your hands on kataifi pastry or kunafa, you can replace it with vermicelli. Some recipes also use crushed and fried phyllo dough, which is popularly used in Middle Eastern desserts like baklava. This recipe might not be the original thing, but we are certain it comes quite close to it in terms of flavor, texture, and experience.
Its popularity can mostly be attributed to the fact that it’s a novel combination of Western and Middle Eastern flavors. Secondly, it’s also only available in Dubai. It’s not a cheap purchase, though; it costs around USD 18 (Rs. 1,500), which is why so many influencers on different social media platforms decided to create budget-friendly versions.
Why This Viral Kunafa Chocolate Bar Became a Global Sensation
This viral chocolate bar comes from Dubai’s FIX Dessert Chocolatier, and is called ‘Can’t get Knafeh of It’. Since December 2023, the viral ASMR video of this Kunafa chocolate bar has been making rounds on social media. It is the dreamy, creamy, and crunchy combination of chocolate and pistachio that has turned this into a dessert on demand. Here, the rich chocolate shell encases the green pistachio paste, creating a heavenly experience. Besides the dessert going viral across platforms, it is the coming together of a traditional recipe and a chocolatey twist that leads to this fusion cultural treat.
Recipe for Viral Kunafa Chocolate
Ingredients
- 45 g ground pistachios
- 90 g white chocolate
- 1 tsp tahini
- 1-2 tbsp pistachio butter
- 50 g dark chocolate
- 50 g milk chocolate
- 3 tbsp ghee
- 50 g chopped kunafa or vermicelli
- 2 tbsp white chocolate
Instructions
- First, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. You can also add a drop of yellow food coloring or a pinch of turmeric.
- Use a flat tin or a silicone chocolate mold, then drizzle it with the white chocolate. Let it solidify in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Chop the vermicelli, then cook on low to medium flame in 3 tablespoons of ghee. Keep moving the vermicelli around on the pan so all of it is golden brown and crunchy.
- Melt the dark and milk chocolate by chopping it into small bits first. Place the chocolate bite in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals.
- You can also do this by using the double-boiler method, wherein you place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. The gentle heat will slowly melt the chocolate.
- Pour half of the chocolate over the white chocolate layer, and then put it back in the fridge to set.
- Then create a smooth paste with pistachios, tahini, and salt. Add the rest of the melted white chocolate and blend again.
- Mix this paste with the cooked golden vermicelli.
- Once done, add an even layer of the vermicelli onto the set chocolate, ensuring that you leave some space on the edges.
- Then pour the remaining melted milk-and-dark-chocolate mix over this and let it set in the fridge. This should take about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Extract the chocolate from the tin or silicone mold, then break or cut it into pieces and enjoy it with a cup of black coffee.
Expert Tips And Tricks For The Perfect Kunafa Chocolate
Focus on crunchiness: To make sure the kunafa remains crunchy till the last bite, It is ideal to chop the kataifi and toast it over medium heat in a generous amount of butter or ghee until it is deep golden brown.
Filling makes or breaks the dish: While chocolate adds the fusion twist, it is the green pistachio filling that brings in the Middle-Eastern touch to the dessert. To achieve the desired nutty-creamy experience, make sure the filling has a perfect blend of pistachio paste and tahini.
No compromise on chocolate quality: It is non-negotiable to use premium quality compound chocolate for that perfect look and a firm snap.
Fix leaking issues: To make sure there is no leakage, place a thick layer of chocolate at the bottom of the silicone mold. While pouring the filling, one may also leave a small margin around the edge and fill that gap with more chocolate. This perfectly seals the entire mixture and prevents leaking.
Temper the chocolate: This is essential for that professional finish. Tempering ensures the chocolate doesn't melt instantly at room temperature.
Kunafa Chocolate Variations And Flavour Twists to Try
Biscoff Filling: To explore a different taste profile in this chocolate kunafa recipe, one may simply consider a caramelized, sweet twist from a Biscoff spread. Use it alongside the pistachio filling, or replace it with this blissful one.
Hazelnut spread Kunafa: Chocolate and hazelnut share an eternal bond. To bring in the hazelnutty-chocolatey aroma, use a hazelnut spread filling instead of the regular pistachio filling.
White Chocolate Pistachio: While milk chocolate is the most popular option for a Kunafa chocolate bar, if you are looking for a sweeter and creamier version, try the same recipe with white chocolate.