The dessert craze began in bakeries across South Korea and has since spread widely on TikTok, where users continue to share videos and recreate it at home. Getty Images
A sweet treat inspired by the famous Dubai chocolate bar has taken over social media feeds, and dessert lovers cannot seem to get enough of it. The latest creation, known as the Dubai chewy cookie, builds on the popular chocolate-pistachio flavour that first caught global attention more than two years ago.
The original Dubai chocolate bar became known for its rich blend of chocolate and pistachio, along with its mix of textures. Inside the chocolate shell, gooey pistachio cream and crispy kataifi created a satisfying crunch. That flavour combination quickly spread beyond Dubai, appearing in grocery stores and inspiring creative recipes around the world.
Now, a new version adds a chewy twist.
A Dessert With a Stretch
The Dubai chewy cookie first gained popularity in South Korea late last year. From there, the trend moved quickly across social media platforms and into kitchens worldwide.
The dessert looks like a round truffle or oversized candy. It usually sits in a small paper cup and comes dusted with cocoa powder. When someone breaks it open, the outside stretches slightly before revealing the rich filling inside. That stretchy texture has become one of the cookie’s most talked-about features online.
Despite its appearance, the outer layer is not made from mochi. Instead, creators use melted marshmallows mixed with butter to form a soft coating. This simple method gives the dessert its signature chewiness.
What’s Inside?
The filling remains true to the original Dubai chocolate flavour.
Bakers toast kataifi — thin strands of shredded phyllo dough — until golden brown. They then mix it with pistachio cream, a small amount of tahini, and melted white chocolate. The white chocolate helps the filling firm up as it cools, so it holds its shape once wrapped.
The result combines crunchy, creamy, nutty and chewy textures in every bite.
How Home Bakers Make It
Although cafés outside Asia have not widely adopted the treat yet, home cooks have embraced it.
To prepare the filling, kataifi strands are mixed with butter and toasted either in the oven or on a stovetop. Once browned, the strands are blended with pistachio cream, tahini and white chocolate. Bakers scoop the mixture into small portions and chill them until firm.
For the outer layer, marshmallows and butter are gently heated until partially melted. After removing the pan from heat, cocoa powder and milk powder are stirred in until smooth. Some recipes include a small amount of corn syrup and water to maintain softness.
When the mixture cools enough to handle, bakers wrap it around the chilled filling. The sticky coating requires patience, and many recommend wearing gloves. Finally, each ball is rolled in cocoa powder to create a smooth finish and prevent sticking.
Why It Keeps Going Viral
The appeal lies in both taste and texture. The stretchy exterior catches attention in short videos, while the crunchy pistachio centre delivers flavour that feels familiar yet new.
With simple ingredients and easy steps, the Dubai chewy cookie has become a dessert trend that home bakers can recreate without special tools.
As the chocolate-pistachio flavour continues to evolve, this chewy version proves that the Dubai dessert craze still has plenty of life left in it.
