Dubai-Style Strawberry Kataifi Cups (Printable)

Delight in strawberry cups perched in crisp kataifi nests with a smooth dark chocolate ganache topping.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Kataifi Cups

01 - 7 oz kataifi pastry, thawed
02 - 2.8 oz unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons superfine sugar

→ Strawberry Filling

04 - 10.6 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 2 tablespoons honey or rose syrup

→ Chocolate Ganache

07 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, 60% cocoa minimum, chopped
08 - 2.7 fl oz heavy cream

→ Garnish

09 - 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios
10 - 1 teaspoon dried edible rose petals
11 - Fresh mint leaves

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Gently untangle kataifi pastry and pull into loose strands. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with superfine sugar, tossing gently until evenly coated.
03 - Press kataifi mixture into 6 muffin tins, shaping into nests. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely in tin before removing.
04 - Combine diced strawberries, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let macerate for 10 minutes.
05 - Heat cream in small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate, let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Cool slightly to thicken.
06 - Spoon generous layer of chocolate ganache into each kataifi cup. Top with macerated strawberry mixture.
07 - Garnish with chopped pistachios, rose petals, and mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Stunning presentation that looks like it came from a high-end patisserie
  • Perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and fresh textures
  • Individual portions make serving elegant and effortless
  • Customizable with different berries and garnishes
  • Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • Don't skip the macerating step—it draws out the strawberry juices and creates a natural syrup that enhances flavor
  • Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for the best ganache consistency and rich flavor
  • If kataifi pastry is unavailable, shredded phyllo dough works as an excellent substitute
  • To prevent soggy bottoms, assemble the cups no more than 30 minutes before serving
  • Toast extra pistachios lightly before chopping for enhanced nutty flavor and aroma
Return