Rich Dubai chocolate drop cookies topped with creamy pistachio frosting mixed with crispy, toasted kadayif for an easy twist on the viral Dubai chocolate dessert.
Kadayıf (Kataifi) If using store-bought Kadayıf, you will need ¾ cup.
2sheetsFrozen Phyllo Doughthawed
2tablespoonButterroom temperature
1tablespoonSugar
Pistachio Buttercream Frosting
¼cupUnsalted Raw Pistachiosapproximately 64 pistachios, or 1.3 ounces shelled pistachios
½teaspoonCanola Oil
1tablespoonsMilk
½cupButterroom temperature
1 ½cups+ 2 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
1teaspoonVanilla or Almond Extract
Pinchof Salt
Chopped Pistachiosfor topping
Instructions
Chocolate Drop Cookies
Cream together butter, shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop mounds of dough onto a baking sheet. Place them in the refrigerator and let them chill for 1 hour. This helps them keep their mound shape when they bake. While they chill, make the kataifi and frosting below.
After an hour, bake the cookies at 400°F for 11-13 minutes. Let cool.
Kadayıf (Kataifi)
If you're using store-bought shredded toasted kadayıf, skip to making the frosting.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Roll the phyllo sheets, like a cigar, cut into thin strips (~⅛ inch), and gently pull apart into wispy threads.
Toss with melted butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Spread on the baking sheet and bake 9–13 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crisp. Then remove from the oven and let cool fully.
Pistachio Buttercream Frosting
Remove pistachios from their shells. Add water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add pistachios and boil for 30-60 seconds. Remove from the water and let cool. Once cool, remove any of the brown skin from the pistachios. Parboiling the pistachios gives them a brighter green color, helps soften them for smoother blending, and also helps remove the brown skin, so it's best not to skip this step.
Add pistachios to a food processor and blend until very fine. Add canola oil and blend into a paste. Add milk and butter, and pulse until blended smooth.
Add the pistachio mixture to an electric mixer with a whisk attachment. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add a pinch of salt and ¾ cup kataifi.
Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or a spoon to add a dollop of frosting on top of each cookie. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios.