Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups (Print Version)

Silky dark chocolate cups filled with fresh strawberries and topped with fragrant pistachio crunch and rosewater notes.

# Components:

→ Chocolate Cups

01 - 7 oz high-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped

→ Filling

02 - 8.8 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
03 - 1 tablespoon rosewater
04 - 2 tablespoons honey
05 - Zest of 1 orange

→ Pistachio Crunch

06 - 2.1 oz unsalted pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons caster sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon water
09 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Garnish

10 - Edible dried rose petals (optional)
11 - Extra chopped pistachios

# Directions:

01 - Melt dark chocolate gently over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, coat the inside of 6 silicone or paper cupcake molds evenly with melted chocolate. Chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes, then apply a second coat for sturdiness. Chill again until completely set, approximately 20 minutes.
02 - In a small saucepan, dissolve caster sugar in water over medium heat to form a syrup. Add chopped pistachios and a pinch of sea salt, stirring constantly until the mixture turns golden and caramelized, about 3–4 minutes. Spread onto a parchment-lined tray and let cool completely. Once hardened, chop into small clusters.
03 - In a bowl, combine diced strawberries, rosewater, honey, and orange zest. Toss gently to coat and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
04 - Carefully unmold the chocolate cups. Spoon the strawberry mixture into each cup. Top generously with pistachio crunch. Garnish with extra chopped pistachios and, if desired, a few edible dried rose petals.
05 - Serve immediately, or chill for up to 1 hour before serving for a colder treat.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Stunning presentation that looks like it came from a high-end patisserie
  • Perfect balance of rich chocolate, fresh fruit, and aromatic rosewater
  • Surprisingly simple to make despite the elegant appearance
  • Naturally gluten-free and can be easily adapted for vegan diets
  • The pistachio crunch adds an irresistible textural contrast
  • Great for special occasions, dinner parties, or romantic evenings
02 -
  • Use high-quality chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for the best flavor and snap
  • Apply chocolate in thin, even layers—thick shells are harder to bite through
  • Let the pistachio crunch cool completely before chopping to avoid clumping
  • Don't overfill the cups—leave room for the pistachio topping
  • For easier unmolding, use silicone molds instead of paper liners
  • Store leftover pistachio crunch in an airtight container for up to a week—it's delicious on ice cream too
Return