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Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (VIRAL Fix Chocolate Bar style)

A moist and tender eggless chocolate cake frosted with smooth pistachio buttercream and toasted, crunchy kunafa pastry. Basically all the flavors of Dubai’s TikTok VIRAL Copycat FIX Chocolate Bar Recipe but turned into a cake.

Everyone knows about these pistachio filled chocolate bars from Dubai that are going viral online so it only seemed fitting to make a cake inspired with those flavors and textures. The pistachio filled chocolate bars did not disappoint. When I made them, they weren’t as thick and big as the FIX dessert bars but the flavors are banging! Considering you don’t need much to make this recipe I aimed at keeping the cake fairly simple as well just to ensure the that we find the cake as delicious if not more delicious than the chocolate bar. 

Now, if you don’t know, these pistachio chocolate bars have been trending all over tiktok. Living in Dubai and I found out about them on Tiktok, true story. These bars don’t mess around, they sell out fast and you need to be quick to get your order in. They are a luxury chocolate to indulge in and not your average candy bar. These guys truly know their chocolate and their flavors. With some very interesting combinations but the taste is not the only the inviting aspect of these chocolate bars, they look like works of art. If you haven’t seen them I have linked their instagram account here for reference, so get inspired. 

What is FIX dessert chocolatier?

FIX dessert is a dessert bar that sells delicious sweet treats based in Dubai. They have a variety of chocolate bars that are not your everyday candy bars they are packed with a variety of flavors and textures to create the most delicious dessert bar. 

Why is FIX dessert bar so popular?

A creator on tiktok posted these chocolate bars which went viral and very soon people who travelled to Dubai and those to lived here wanted to get their hands on these dessert bars. They are simply yummy with the right amount of chocolate to filling ratio. Also they are huge in size, in comparison to the regular candy bars. 

Can I buy FIX Dessert bars outside Dubai?

As of now they don’t sell outside Dubai. Many people suggested you can find them at the airport but you cannot. The only way to get your hands on these bars is by purchasing them through the delivery app. 

What are FIX Dessert bars?

These dessert bars are chocolate bars filled with a variety of flavors but the most popular one is the pistachio kunafa filling which is crunchy and very. Yummy. 

What is Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (Viral Fix Chocolate Bar style)?

The viral FIX chocolate bar consists of chocolate, pistachio paste and kunafa pastry (mainly). So I though it would only be fitting make a cake with these flavors. We have a moist and tender chocolate cake that is so simple to make and happens to be eggless. Which is sandwiched between pistachio paste buttercream that is smooth and creamy – so so so good! And for that classic crunch I have added toasted kunafa pastry between each layer and as decoration too. The cake has all the essential flavors and makes for a very delicious layer cake but more importantly the flavors are similar to that of the viral pistachio filled chocolate bar and it makes for a simple elegant recipe to prepare easily. 

What ingredients do you need to make this FIX chocolate bar inspired chocolate cake with pistachio buttercream and crunchy kunafa?

Chocolate cake –

The chocolate bar uses a combination of milk and dark. It doesn’t taste as sweet as milk chocolate alone and definitely not bitter so this chocolate cake is the right amount of sweetness and bitterness to balance out the sweetness in the frosting. The cake is my go to one bowl chocolate cake recipe that is literally as simple as mixing the wet ingredients together, then the dry ingredients and its very tender, fluffy and moist. You do not soak this cake with simple syrup as it keeps well if wrapped correctly. It is an eggless cake batter and it honestly is the best one you will make. To make the cake we need oil, black coffee, buttermilk, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, vinegar, salt. 

Pistachio buttercream –

The pistachio buttercream is basically mimicking the pistachio filling inside the chocolate bar that is creamy, rich, packed with pistachio flavor and very delicious. It is on the sweeter side like any frosting but very simple to make and lusciously smooth. I like adding a drop of almond extract into the frosting and a little tahini to keep the balance of sweetness at bay. To make the frosting we need butter, smooth pistachio paste, icing sugar, almond extract and a little tahini. 

Crunchy kunafa –

The main part of the viral fix chocolate bars from Dubai is the crunch from the bars which comes from the kunafa pastry that is toasted until golden. We toast the kunafa in butter or ghee until evenly browned, allow it to cool before adding into the cake layers and we also decorate the cake with it once done. 

What substitutions or additions can you add to this Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (Viral Fix Chocolate Bar style)?

Vegan –

To keep this recipe vegan, use any vegan buttermilk in the chocolate cake batter. Also you will need to use your favorite vegan butter to make the pistachio buttercream frosting. I would suggest toasting the kunafa in oil in this case or a plant based butter. Make sure the kunafa pastry is vegan too.

Cocoa powder –

I have had the best results of this recipe with dark unsweetened cocoa powder also known as dutch processed cocoa powder. In the same breath the cake is still yummy with cacao powder, or regular unsweetened cocoa powder. 

Pistachio paste –

We need smooth pistachio paste or pistachio nut butter to make this recipe. I feel the addition of crunchy pistachio butter is not the same as having a smooth frosting. This recipe thrives on the flavor combination of chocolate and pistachio hence I wouldn’t recommend using any other nut butter.

Kunafa pastry –

YOU NEED THIS. Without it, you are not making a copycat FIX dessert chocolate bar cake recipe. It must be room temperature and you must toast in on low heat as it will burn in some places and not toast in others giving you an uneven color which means it will not be crunchy.

Additions –

I love adding chopped toasted pistachios and cashews into the cake layers and on top for decoration. You can also use chocolate shavings to decorate the cake. I have made this cake batter with chocolate chips and even though it was yummy I prefer it without them. Add more pistachio paste between each layer of the cake to amp up the pistachio flavor. 

What equipment do you need to make this Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (Viral Fix Chocolate Bar style)?

To make the chocolate cake we need a mixing bowl, whisk and rubber spatula. I have baked the cake inn a 7inch round cake tin lined with baking paper, you could get away with an 8 inch cake if you do not like tall cakes. I also have baked this cake in a 7 inch loaf tin (bake for 45-50 mins) or an 8×8 inch square tin (bake for 35-40 mins). To make the frosting I use an electric hand beater and mixing bowl. You can use a stand mixer instead as well with a paddle attachment. To cut the kunafa use a knife and chopping board (you can use a pair of scissors) and to toast the kunafa you can use a sauté pan with a spatula. I have used a bread knife to make the cake layers but if you have a cake leveler you can use that. I have also used an offset spatula to help spread the frosting all over the cake. 

Storing Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (Viral Fix Chocolate Bar style)?

The chocolate cake can be made ahead and stored in the tin overnight wrapped in cling wrap. The buttercream can be made ahead as well, the day before and stored in an air tight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days. The buttercream would need to be beaten well before using though. The kunafa can be toasted and stored ahead of time, it must be cooled completely before storing in an air tight container for up to 1 week. Once the cake is assembled, you can store it in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. However once it is frozen the kunafa looses its crunch. I like to wrap the cake slices in cling wrap and the place them in air tight containers/zip lock bags to ensure all the moisture in the cake stays inside. 

Looking for more layered cakes?

Now that we have covered how to make Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (Viral Fix Chocolate Bar style), you can have a look at the video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more cooking recipe inspiration. 

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.

Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (VIRAL Fix Chocolate Bar style)

A moist and tender eggless chocolate cake frosted with a smooth pistachio buttercream and toasted, golden and crunchy kunafa pastry. Basically Dubai’s TikTok VIRAL Copycat FIX Chocolate Bar Recipe but turned into a cake.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Decoration Time 15 minutes
Course Cake, Celebration, Dessert, High Tea, Icing, Party, Sweet tooth, tea time
Cuisine American, levantine, Middle Eastern
Servings 10 people

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric beater
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • 7/8inch round cake tin
  • Baking paper
  • Sauté pan
  • Bread knife
  • Off set spatula

Ingredients
  

Chocolate cake -

  • 1 ½ cup Flour
  • ½ cup Castor sugar
  • ½ cup Brown sugar
  • ¼ cup Cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1/3 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup Hot coffee
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1 tsp Vinegar

Pistachio buttercream frosting -

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • 1/4 cup pistachio butter smooth
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 1 drop almond extract

Kunafa -

  • 1 1/2 cups kunafa pastry
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions
 

Chocolate cake -

  • Preheat oven to 180°C, line a 7/8inch round cake tin with oil and baking paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl add the flour, cocoa powder, white & brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and whisk until evenly combined and no lumps.
  • Add all the wet ingredients except for the vinegar and whisk well until smooth. Add the vinegar at the end and whisk again. It is a wet batter and this makes it moist.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking tin and bake for 55 mins, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let it sit in baking tin for a few minutes until easier to handle, remove from the tin and leave to cool on a wire rack completely before using. You can also allow the cake to cool in the tin overnight wrapped in cling wrap.

Pistachio buttercream frosting -

  • In a large mixing bowl add the butter, pistachio paste, icing sugar and beat with an electric beater until smooth and creamy, around 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the almond extract and tahini into the mixing bowl and beat again until combined. Place in the fridge until ready to use.

Kunafa -

  • In a sauté pam on low heat add the butter and finely chopped kunafa pastry.
  • Stir the pastry around using a rubber spatula making sure it is evenly golden and has a light brown color. This should take 5-10 minutes. Keep stirring it as it will burn in some places and not get toasted in others.
  • Take off the heat and allow it to cool completely before using.

Assembly -

  • Using a bread knife or cake leveler divide the cake into 3 parts horizontally to create 3 even layers- to the best of your ability.
  • Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate/platter, add 2 scoops of the pistachio buttercream frosting on the cake, top with 3 tablespoons of the toasted kunafa pastry and drizzle over a tablespoon of the pistachio spread.
  • Place the next layer of cake on top and repeat the process. Use the remaining buttercream frosting to cover the top and the edges. There is plenty of frosting to make a clean finish but I love leaving it rustic.
  • Top the edges of the cake with the remaining toasted kunafa pastry and allow this to sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. Slice with a sharp knife and serve with a cup of coffee.

Notes

  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or else it will melt off.
  • If the frosting is too stiff use a little heavy cream or milk to adjust the consistency.
  • When toasting the kunafa make sure to stir it constantly or else it will not brown evenly.

10 thoughts on “Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cake (VIRAL Fix Chocolate Bar style)”

  1. Faz

    This looks amazing… can’t wait to try it !! Just one query, does the kunafa stay crunchy between the layers ?

    Reply
    1. annikapanikker

      Hey farzahi! thanks for the comment. it was DELISH! the kunafa will stay crunchy between the layers if you toast them well with butter and allow it to cool completely before using. However I do like adding more on the outside to add more crunch to the texture. Hope this helps! happy baking xx

      Reply
    1. annikapanikker

      Hey Dina I used an 8 inch standard round cake tin which was around 5 inches in height. if you don’t have cake tins but have cake pans you can bake the cake in layers individually. hope this helps xx

      Reply
    1. annikapanikker

      Hey paula, kunafa is thinner than angel hair pasta and is a traditional middle eastern pastry that is used in desserts. You can use find it in most middle eastern stores all over, I have also seen it on online grocery stores. But unfortunately there are no substitutes for this. Some have tried making it with toasted shredded filo pastry but the outcome is just not the same. Hope this helps xx

      Reply
    1. annikapanikker

      Hey Amy, I have made the mixture around 1 week in advance and it has been fine. just make sure to toast the kunafa low and slow until golden and crispy – this will ensure the mixture stays crunchy. Hope this helps x

      Reply
  5. Fowziah Akhtar

    Hi Annika
    I’m a little confused about one thing; under the heading “Chocolate cake” it says one of things used is buttermilk but there is no mention of this later in the ingredients list or in the actual recipe.
    Can you help me out as I really want to make this delicious looking cake

    Reply
    1. annikapanikker

      hey fowziah, thanks for the comment! you are right, the buttermilk was a mistake in the Blog write up while the recipe itself does not have buttermilk. I tell you this cake recipe is such a winner on its own and tastes even better the next day! hope you enjoy the recipe xx

      Reply

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