DHTH: Dubai Chocolate

By News Editor Jennifer Li, Graphics Editor Emily Zhang, and Staff Writers Aarav Vashisht and Matthew Zhang 

The Middle East introduced a sweet surprise, the online sensation, Dubai Chocolate. The traditional knafeh dessert surged in popularity in 2023, reimagining old culinary treats. In this DHTH, four smokies will mold their way to victory through the creation of their own Dubai Chocolate.

Before

Jennifer Li 

I’m about to put the “ate” in chocolate and eat up all my competition. That’s right, I plan on whipping up the most delicious and well-presented Dubai chocolate ever created. Ever since I saw the iconic dessert pop up on my feed months ago, I knew I would have to try it for myself. Aside from my huge sweet tooth and fervent love for all things chocolate, I also love getting creative in the kitchen. I’m ready to put my culinary skills to the test in this DHTH, and I can’t wait to show everyone what I have up my sleeve!

Aarav Vashisht 

Growing up watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, it wasn’t the golden ticket winners exploring the factory that I envied, but Wonka himself. Ever since I visited the Ghirardelli Factory in San Francisco when I was seven, I’ve been interested in uncovering how my favorite chocolate treats were crafted. Now after years of waiting, my calling has come. Through this DHTH, I hope to combine my insatiable chocolate addiction with years of experience as the family baker as I construct my ideal Dubai Chocolate and hopefully secure first place in this hands-on baking challenge.

Emily Zhang 

Heading into my first attempt at making Dubai Chocolate, I’d be lying if I said I was bursting with culinary confidence and expertise. While I may be able to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies and maybe even a nice cheesecake every once in a while, making something as exquisite as this worldwide celebrity of a chocolate seems a little out of my league. Even so, with some imagination and a little bit of artistic plating, I believe I can still create a chocolate that, while admittedly may not fool a real chocolatier, can still be worthy of a blue ribbon.

Matthew Zhang 

For me, it’s always eating chocolate that brings happiness. The simple act of unwrapping a creamy chocolate bar is enough to sweeten the day. At last, I finally have the opportunity to bring my own vision of chocolate to life, as long as the chocolate and filling don’t somehow end up burning, it should be enough for me to experiment with! By melting my creativity and confectionery skills into the design, I hopefully won’t end up dead last. With that said … the cosmetic portion might just be the hardest challenge to crack.

After

First: Jennifer Li

I came, I saw, I cooked, and I absolutely conquered. I blew away the competition with my masterful Dubai chocolate modeled after the viral plush toy Labubu surrounded by a bed of chocolate bites. My time spent melting, stirring, and mixing in the kitchen has paid off, and I’m thrilled to walk away with the first place prize. I now feel one step closer in my journey to becoming a professional chocolatier, and I know my Labubu forefathers are proud of how far I’ve come. I promise to continue honoring them through more spectacular culinary creations, so until the next!

Second: Emily Zhang 

Falling just short of the top, I ended up with third place — second to last, if we’re being honest  — but considering how far I had to stray from the original recipe, I’m still calling it a success. Since I’m allergic to sesame seeds, and therefore tahini, I had to cut out this vital ingredient entirely, and when I couldn’t find kataifi anywhere, I swapped to using toasted coconut shreds instead. Although my Dubai Chocolate had quickly become a very particular “Dubai-ish Chocolate” through improvisation and sacrifices, I still ended with a product that had at least awarded me with a sweet and satisfactory dessert.

Third: Matthew Zhang

Whew, I was pumping out those chocolates like a machine! I knew that mini, bite-sized Dubai Chocolates would score well (I just couldn’t find other molds). It was so hard to use those tiny molds, but I managed to wrap things up just before the clock hit 3:22:56 a.m. Whenever it comes to chocolate, sleep is secondary. Well, for me, at least. The entire kitchen was a mess, and I was running on pure adrenaline, but hey, priorities. The process wasn’t the most efficient or consistent, but the results definitely look good! Hopefully, I’ll snag a decadent gold medal next time.

Fourth: Aarav Vashisht 

Although I thought I had concocted the perfect Dubai chocolate, it appears I choco-lost the challenge and received last place. However, considering the immense competition with Jennifer’s intricate Labubu-inspired Dubai chocolate and Matthew and Emily’s creatively presented sweet treats, I’m content with my results, as my chocolate design lacked creativity. Unfortunately, while I was far from having the “sweet” victory, rather than being discouraged, I am now determined to prove myself in the next DHTH, whatever that may be, and potentially secure my first victory.