FIRST PERSON: Lee Ann Stenvick-Executive Director of Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA
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Fueled by the internet and social media influencers, Dubai chocolate is the hottest trend in confectionary circles since the advent of the chocolate lava cake in the 1980s.
These bars of nutty pistachio butter infused with crunchy kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo dough) and enrobed with silky sweet milk chocolate have chocoholics swooning in euphoria.
The trend made its debut in 2021 when Sarah Hamouda, a British Egyptian entrepreneur, invented an alpha version of the chocolate bar to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. Hamouda worked at Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai and found inspiration for the bar from a Middle Eastern dessert called knafeh, made of kataifi, cheese and syrup.
Through social media, particularly TikTok, the concoction garnered global recognition faster than you can drink a glass of Nestle’s Nesquik. Naturally, other chocolate makers have scurried to jump on the viral trend; for example, Lindt Chocolate offers a “Dubai-Style” chocolate bar.
Locally, Dubai chocolate bars can be found in several retail stores and restaurants throughout the Lake Area, from Market Basket check-outs to the Zeus-To-Go drive-thru and Sugar Buzz at Prien Lake Mall.
Some businesses opt to make homemade Dubai-inspired chocolate bars. Sam’s Southern Eatery Lake Charles offers both white and milk chocolate bars made at their sister location in Beaumont. The Chocolate Box at Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino make decadent bars in-house. Both these companies routinely sell out of the bars as fast as they can stock them in the candy case.
Does Dubai chocolate live up to the hype? Most chocolate lovers enthusiastically say YES! The caveat to this candy store phenomenon is the price. Bars in Lake Charles range in price from $6 for a smaller bar at Sam’s Southern Eatery to $35 for the large bar at The Chocolate Box. Most bars retail between $14-$20. Once fans move beyond the sticker shock, they agree; it’s worth the cost for an occasional special treat.
Today, culinary creatives worldwide have invented a variety of sweet treats based on the Dubai chocolate sensation, including right here is Southwest Louisiana. You can find variations in cookies, cakes and all manner of Dubai chocolate-inspired desserts. This writer is waiting for Dubai chocolate ice cream to find its way to Lake Charles!
where to Get your Dubai Chocolate Fix!
Diana Schutte with Diana’s Cakes, Confections, and More makes a Dubai chocolate cookie. Look for her return at events this fall!
Twanie’s Terrific Treats offers Dubai chocolate cookies, cheesecake and cinnamon rolls in their rotation. Next up . . . Dubai Chocolate Cupcakes!
Zeus To-Go Lake Charles offers a Dubai-style chocolate bar called Mont Dor’é.
Crepe Escape created their own spin on Dubai chocolate with their popular Strawberry Cups. Fresh strawberries, pistachio nuts, pistachio cream, crispy kataifi and chocolate sauce. Grab a spoon!
Stine Home & Yard sells both traditional Dubai chocolate (made in Turkey) and the sweet pink white chocolate cotton candy version. Even the packaging is luxurious!
In addition to the typical pistachio variety of Dubai chocolate, Sugar Buzz also offers a hazelnut version.
The Chocolate Box makes small and large Dubai chocolate bars on-site.
Sam’s Southern Eatery offers smaller bars made at their Beaumont location.
