Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cookies combine rich, decadent chocolate cookie dough with a unique pistachio kunafa filling. Inspired by the viral Dubai Chocolate Bar, which features a milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio kunafa, these cookies offer the perfect blend of creamy pistachio, crispy kunafa, and soft, gooey chocolate. A delightful fusion of flavors and textures, these cookies are sure to impress!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Pistachio Kunafa Filling

• 1 cup kunafa pastry (shredded phyllo dough)

• 1 tbsp butter or ghee

• ¾ cup pistachio spread

• 2 tbsp tahini (optional)

For the Cookie Dough

• 114g unsalted butter

• 1 tsp instant espresso/coffee powder

• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 egg (room temperature)

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chunks

Directions

1. Prepare the Pistachio Kunafa Filling:

   • Shred kunafa pastry (either in a food processor or by hand).

   • In a pan, melt butter or ghee, and add the kunafa dough. Stir constantly until golden brown. Remove from heat.

   • Add pistachio spread and tahini, mixing well. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to solidify slightly.

   • Form the pistachio kunafa filling into 10-12 small balls and freeze for at least 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Cookie Dough:

   • In a saucepan, melt the butter and cook over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.

   • Stir in the espresso powder, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and egg. Whisk until smooth.

   • Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

   • Stir in chocolate chunks.

3. Assemble the Cookies:

   • Take the pistachio kunafa balls out of the freezer and cover them with a layer of cookie dough. Ensure the filling is fully encased.

   • Place the cookie dough balls onto a lined baking sheet and top with more chocolate chunks.

4. Bake:

   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes on the lower-middle rack.

   • Let the cookies cool on the tray for 20-25 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (per cookie)

These cookies are rich, so the nutritional facts are approximate:

• Calories: 250

• Carbohydrates: 28g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 14g

  • Saturated Fat: 8g

• Sodium: 150mg

• Potassium: 180mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 15g

What is Kunafa? A Key Ingredient in the Filling

Kunafa, also known as kanafeh, is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin strands of phyllo dough or semolina, sweetened with syrup and typically paired with a creamy cheese or nut filling. It’s a beloved dessert in many countries, from Turkey to Lebanon to Egypt, and often served during special occasions, especially during Ramadan. The distinctive feature of kunafa is its crispy, golden-brown crust, which contrasts beautifully with the creamy and slightly sweet interior.

For the purpose of this cookie, kunafa pastry is shredded and used as part of the pistachio filling. The shredded dough provides the desired crispiness and texture that is a signature of kunafa while being softened by the pistachio spread and optional tahini. This filling adds a layer of complexity and richness to the cookies that traditional chocolate chip cookies simply cannot offer, making them an extraordinary treat.

The Role of Pistachio Spread and Tahini in the Filling

The pistachio spread is the heart of the pistachio kunafa filling. It offers a creamy, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the crispy kunafa pastry. Pistachios themselves are known for their unique, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor, and when transformed into a spread, they offer a rich, smooth texture that enhances the overall taste of the cookie.

Tahini, while optional, adds an extra depth of flavor and creaminess to the pistachio filling. Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini brings a subtle, earthy note that pairs beautifully with pistachios. It also helps bind the filling together, giving it a smooth consistency that contrasts with the crispy kunafa pastry. Together, these ingredients create a deliciously creamy and rich pistachio filling that is both indulgent and unique.

Creating the Chocolate Cookie Dough

The cookie dough for these Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cookies is simple yet incredibly rich. The dough starts with melted butter, which is browned to bring out a nutty, caramel-like flavor that enhances the overall richness of the cookie. Brown sugar is used to provide a deep, molasses-like sweetness, and a touch of espresso powder amplifies the chocolate flavor, giving the cookies a sophisticated depth.

The addition of cocoa powder ensures that the cookies have a rich chocolate flavor, while the all-purpose flour provides the structure needed for the cookies to hold together. Baking soda and salt are added to help with leavening and to enhance the flavor of the chocolate. The dough is then folded with semi-sweet or milk chocolate chunks, which will melt slightly during baking, adding even more gooey chocolate goodness.

Assembling the Cookies: Encasing the Pistachio Kunafa Filling

Once the pistachio kunafa filling has been chilled and formed into small balls, it’s time to assemble the cookies. Each cookie is created by taking a ball of the pistachio filling and covering it with a layer of chocolate cookie dough. This ensures that the creamy, nutty filling is completely encased by the soft, gooey cookie dough, so when you bite into the cookie, you get a delicious combination of textures and flavors.

The key to getting the perfect cookie is making sure that the filling is fully covered by the cookie dough to prevent any leakage during baking. The dough should be tightly packed around the filling, forming a smooth, round cookie. Additional chocolate chunks can be added on top of each cookie before baking for an extra indulgent touch.

Baking the Cookies to Perfection

Baking the Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cookies is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to time and temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), and bake the cookies for about 10 minutes on the lower-middle rack. The key is to bake the cookies just long enough for the chocolate dough to become golden and slightly crisp on the edges, while still being soft and gooey in the center.

The inside of the cookie should be slightly underdone, as the residual heat from the pan will continue to cook the cookie once it’s out of the oven. Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for about 20-25 minutes before serving, as this cooling time will help the cookies set and solidify, ensuring that they maintain their shape.

The Textural Contrast: Crispy, Gooey, and Nutty

One of the best things about these cookies is the contrast of textures. The outer chocolate dough is soft, chewy, and slightly gooey, while the inside of the cookie holds the pistachio kunafa filling, which is a combination of creamy pistachios and crispy kunafa pastry. This delightful contrast of crispy and soft textures makes each bite an experience. The crunchy pistachios and the delicate, crispy kunafa dough add a satisfying crunch to balance the smooth chocolate.

This balance between soft, gooey chocolate and crispy, nutty filling creates an extraordinary flavor and textural experience that is both familiar and unique. It’s a treat that offers something for everyone: rich chocolate lovers, fans of Middle Eastern desserts, and those looking for something new and exciting.

The Fusion of Middle Eastern and Western Flavors

Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cookies are a beautiful fusion of Middle Eastern and Western flavors. The traditional kunafa pastry and pistachio spread are inspired by Middle Eastern desserts, while the chocolate cookie dough draws from classic Western cookies. This blend of two distinct culinary traditions makes these cookies a perfect representation of global fusion, offering an exotic twist on a classic favorite.

The cookies are a great way to introduce Middle Eastern flavors to a broader audience, as they offer a familiar format (the chocolate chip cookie) with a unique and exciting filling. Whether you’re serving these cookies at a family gathering, a dinner party, or as a special treat for yourself, they are sure to impress with their bold flavors and sophisticated textures.

Conclusion: A Must-Try Cookie for Every Dessert Lover

Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Cookies are an unforgettable treat that brings together rich chocolate dough, creamy pistachio filling, and crispy kunafa pastry. The combination of soft, gooey chocolate and the satisfying crunch of the pistachio kunafa filling creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will delight anyone who tastes them.

These cookies are a wonderful fusion of Middle Eastern and Western flavors, offering a unique twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. Whether you’re a fan of pistachios, chocolate, or Middle Eastern desserts, these cookies offer something for everyone. Their complex flavors and textures make them a standout dessert that’s sure to impress your guests or become a favorite indulgence in your own home.