Dubai Chocolate Balls with Pistachios Recipe
Dubai Chocolate Balls with Pistachio are bite-sized indulgent treats made with a blend of sweet dates, crunchy digestive biscuits, rich cocoa powder, and creamy cream cheese. Coated in smooth melted milk chocolate and sprinkled with finely chopped pistachios and a hint of aromatic cardamom, these no-bake delights offer a luscious fusion of flavors and textures perfect for serving chilled as a decadent snack or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20-25 balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g Dates, pitted
- 150g Digestive biscuits, crushed
- 50g Unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons Cocoa powder
- 100g Cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom powder
Toppings and Coating
- 200g Milk chocolate, melted
- 50g Pistachios, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the date paste: In a food processor, blend the pitted dates until they form a smooth paste. If the dates seem too dry and do not come together, add water gradually, one teaspoon at a time, until the paste is smooth and pliable.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Transfer the date paste to a large bowl. Add the crushed digestive biscuits, melted unsalted butter, cocoa powder, softened cream cheese, and cardamom powder. Use a spatula or your hands to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a thick, uniform mixture.
- Shape into balls: Take small portions of the mixture and roll them between your palms to form small, even-sized balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prepare for coating.
- Dip in melted chocolate: Using a fork or skewer, dip each ball into the melted milk chocolate, making sure it is completely coated. Gently tap off any excess chocolate and place the coated balls back onto the parchment paper.
- Add pistachio topping: While the chocolate coating is still wet, immediately sprinkle the finely chopped pistachios on top of each chocolate-covered ball, ensuring the pistachios stick to the surface before the chocolate hardens.
- Chill to set: Place the baking sheet with the coated and topped chocolate balls into the refrigerator. Chill them for at least 30 minutes, allowing the chocolate to set firmly. Serve the Dubai Chocolate Balls chilled for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure dates are soft; if using dry dates, soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes before processing helps achieve a smooth paste.
- The sweetness level can be adjusted by choosing different types of milk chocolate or adding a little honey to the mixture if desired.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chocolate.
- Store the chocolate balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Cardamom powder is optional but adds a unique Middle Eastern flavor that complements the ingredients well.
Keywords: Dubai chocolate balls, no-bake dessert, chocolate pistachio balls, date paste treats, Middle Eastern sweets, cardamom chocolate balls
