Dessert Tutorial: How to Make Dubai-Style Luxury Chocolate Cheesecake with Pistachio Filling

According to the Family Magazine Service, cheesecake is a type of modern dessert that features a creamy cheese filling and a crust made of biscuit or cake. Cheesecakes are very tasty and popular, and they come in fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and many other varieties. Cheesecake can be prepared in two ways—baked in the oven or as a no-bake, refrigerated version.

Recently, a chocolate known as “Dubai Chocolate” has taken social media and cooking websites by storm. This chocolate is a combination of kataifi (kunafa pastry) and pistachio powder or pistachio cream, all wrapped in a chocolate coating. It has many fans. But now, Dubai chocolate cheesecake is also becoming very popular—and in my opinion, it's even more delicious than the chocolate itself! If you'd like to make this delightful cheesecake at home, keep reading for the recipe.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Kunafa base:
   Start by finely chopping the kunafa pastry. Melt the butter in a suitable pan over heat, then add the chopped kunafa and sauté well until golden brown. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.

2. Once the kunafa has cooled, transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add the pistachio cream and tahini, and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.

3. Choose a round springform pan. Spread the kunafa mixture into the base of the pan and press it down firmly and evenly to form the crust.

4. Prepare the filling:
   In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer for about one minute until smooth and uniform. Pour this mixture over the kunafa layer and smooth the surface.

5. Prepare the chocolate topping:
   Place the breakfast cream over a double boiler (or a pot of simmering water) to soften. Once warm, add the room-temperature milk chocolate and stir until completely melted and combined.

6. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cream cheese layer and spread it evenly.

7. Refrigerate the cheesecake for 2 to 3 hours until fully set. Once chilled and firm, remove it from the pan and decorate the top with pistachio powder as desired. Enjoy!

Important Notes

1. Sweetened Condensed Milk:
   This is cow’s milk with some of the water removed and sugar added, resulting in a thick, sweet milk sold in cans with long shelf life. It’s commonly used in desserts, ice creams, cakes, and pastries.
   To make it at home: Combine 2 cups of milk with 2/3 cup of sugar in a deep, non-stick pan over low heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let it come to a simmer. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting—do not let it boil—and stir occasionally for about 40 minutes until it thickens. Once ready, let it cool and store it in a clean, dry jar in the refrigerator.

2. Mascarpone Cheese:
   This is a special, salt-free cheese used in cheesecakes and creamy desserts due to its smooth texture. If mascarpone isn’t available, you can use a low-salt cream cheese like Vili brand or other mild-tasting options with less fat.

3. Tahini:
   Tahini is a highly nutritious paste made from roasted or ground sesame seeds. It has a warm, moist nature (in traditional medicine) and is rich in unsaturated fats. It should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat to preserve its health benefits.