Dubai Style Chocolates at Russell Stover // Photo by Sarah Sipple
From Dubai to Iola, KS… a relatively new chocolate bar that has been trending worldwide gave Russell Stover the inspiration for its latest release. Dubai Style Chocolate is available now at Russell Stover retail locations.
The original confection began when chocolatier Sarah Hamouda attempted a sweet and salty combo to address pregnancy cravings in 2022. She landed on a chocolate-covered concoction of pistachio butter, tahini, and shards of crispy fillo dough known as kataifi. (The Russell Stover version does not contain tahini.) Her experiment turned out tasty enough to add to the menu at Fix Dessert Chocolates in Dubai.
The chocolate bar garnered social media attention, and the recipe began to spread around the world. I first heard of the chocolate, pistachio, and kataifi combo landing in KC at World Fresh Market earlier this year, served in large chocolate bars and in cups over fresh strawberries.
Now, Russell Stover, which produces candy in Iola and Abilene, KS, as well as Corsicana, TX, has jumped on the trend.
Dubai Style Chocolates at Russell Stover // Photo by Sarah Sipple
I tried the Russell Stover version on Tuesday at a preview event, and although I don’t have any other products to compare it to, I’d say this is worth the viral hype.
Inside a thin chocolate coating, pistachio butter is mixed with kataifi. The result is a nutty, not-too-sweet, and inexplicably crispy confection. The nuttiness is strong, and the chocolate outer layer gives a soft snap. Take care to keep this product out of the summer heat or sun; they’re not the sturdiest candies.
I have already revisited the store and repurchased this with my own money.
If, like me, you’re into the crispy yet smooth texture of the retired Russell Stover coconut nests that used to come with candy eggs (if my memory serves me), then you’ll appreciate this. Or if you like the idea of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but want a fancier version, these are it.