Latest news with #Can'tGetKnafeh
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Here's where to find Dubai chocolate-inspired shakes, lattes and cookies
Dubai chocolate bars, known for their hard-shell chocolate exterior and creamy, nutty green center, have taken over social media for months. In addition to countless "dupes," or replicas, of the viral chocolate, some brands have released their own products that pull inspiration from the dessert. Shake Shack released a Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, Costco stocked After's Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Bars and Starbucks has promoted a make-it-your own Dubai chocolate beverage. Notable brands that have released their own Dubai chocolate bars include Trader Joe's and Lindt, the latter of which launched its Dubai Style Chocolate Bar in major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Walgreens and Kroger, on Monday, July 7. Here's a look at some of the products floating around the Dubai chocolate flavor atmosphere. More Dubai chocolate: Lindt has released a Dubai chocolate bar: Here's where to buy it How to buy: Trader Joe's sells viral Dubai chocolate bars for 5 times less than original price In June, Shake Shack released its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake across the U.S. The shake is made with pistachio frozen custard, toasted kataifi (shredded phyllo), a dark chocolate shell and topped with chopped pistachios and kataifi. The shakes start at $9.49. A Shake Shack spokesperson told USA TODAY that the shakes will be available at participating locations through August, though due to availability and ingredients, each location will sell a limited amount of shakes per day. After Hours Ice Cream, based in California, released a Dubai chocolate ice cream bar earlier this summer. However, as of July 10, the ice cream bars did not appear on the Costco website. Neither Costco nor After Hours immediately responded when contacted by USA TODAY on July 10. Crave Cookies has released two Dubai chocolate-inspired items, a cookie and strawberry cup. According to the Crave Cookies website, the cookie is made with chocolate dough and stuffed with kunafa pistachio filling and layered with milk and white chocolate icing and crispy, toasted kataifi. The cookie is available at participating locations through Thursday, July 10. The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup is made with house-made pistachio cream, milk chocolate ganache, crushed pistachios, strawberries and topped with shredded kataifi and crushed chocolate chip cookies, per the Crave Cookies website. Starbucks hasn't officially released a Dubai chocolate drink, but the chain crafted up a "secret" menu item it feels fits the taste and aesthetic. Starbucks recommends the following order to sip on a Dubai chocolate-inspired drink: The original Dubai chocolate bar is made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is called "Can't Get Knafeh Of It." A six-pack of bars costs $120 on the FIX Dessert Chocolatier website, making one bar $20. The chocolate bar was released in 2022 when FIX Dessert Chocolatier Founder Sarah Hamouda wished to satisfy her pregnancy cravings for knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with pastry dough, sweet cheese and syrup) and pistachio, BBC reported. "Can't Get Knafeh Of It" first went viral in 2023, when content creator Maria Vehera posted a TikTok of her trying the luxury chocolate bar. As of July 10, the video has more than 131 million views. Countless brands have made their own versions, or "dupes" of the viral chocolate bar, including Florida-based Bolci ($19 for one bar) and New York City-based The Nuts Factory ($50 for two bars) and countless homemade recipes on Etsy.
FACT
07-03-2025
- Business
- FACT
Sarah Hamouda on IWD: Founder of social media sensation FIX Dessert Chocolatier
It took one woman, a lot of hard work and a TikTok video with more than 100 million views (and counting) to create the social media sensation, FIX Dessert Chocolatier. Founder and CEO, British Egyptian Sarah Hamouda, lived in the United Kingdom and moved to the United Arab Emirates. Following pregnancy cravings, the #DubaiChocolate trend was born – a chunky bar with Jackson Pollock-style specs, and a gorgeous, gooey filling. Can't Get Knafeh has launched a thousand copycats. If you want the OG – along with some amazing advice – Sarah shared her story in honour of International Women's Day. FIX is all about creating an experience. We take beloved Middle Eastern and global desserts and transform them into dessert chocolate bars with unexpected textures and flavours. Every bar tells a story, whether it's the crunch of knafeh, silkiness of mahalabia or the comforting richness of a brownie. It's about more than just chocolate, it's about bringing joy and nostalgia to every bite. It was surreal. I always believed in my vision and in FIX, but seeing others fall in love with our bars in such an overwhelming way was incredible. The messages, excitement and the way people resonated with the flavours were beyond anything I had imagined. More than anything, it reinforced that people crave something different, something bold, and that's exactly what we aim to deliver. It's flattering. If people are trying to replicate what we do, it means we're doing something right. Innovation is in our DNA. We don't just create flavours, we create experiences. An imitation can mimic an ingredient, but it can't replicate the passion, craft or connection we have with our customers. A common stereotype is that women in the Middle East don't have the same opportunities. The reality is that the Middle East is home to incredible women who are driving change and redefining industries. Their success is proof that talent, ambition, and resilience know no boundaries. The support for female entrepreneurs continues to grow, and there is a strong ecosystem in the region that encourages innovation, progress, and leadership. In the early days, some people doubted whether a niche chocolate brand could truly stand out in such a competitive market. They thought it was just another chocolate brand. That only pushed me to be bolder and refine our storytelling, and to create chocolates that weren't just delicious but unforgettable. Every doubt became fuel to innovate harder. It's the ability to create and lead with both strength and intuition. There's something powerful about building a brand with heart, and one that connects with people beyond just a product. As women, we bring a unique perspective to business. For me, that means leading with creativity, resilience and a deep sense of community. FIX is still exclusively available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi via Deliveroo. Our presence at Dubai Duty Free has given international customers the chance to experience our chocolates. Our journey has always been about building a brand that connects with people. Our community grows, so does our team and vision. We want to make sure that everyone who craves FIX, can get one, no matter where they are. Expanding isn't just about entering new markets, it's about reaching our supporters, sharing our creations with a wider audience, and making FIX more accessible. Right now, we're focused on strengthening our presence, whether through pop-ups, retail or eventually international markets. Start before you're ready. Too often, we wait for the perfect moment, but success is built in the process, not just the outcome. Trust your instincts, surround yourself with people who push you forward, and don't be afraid to take up space. Your vision deserves to be seen, and your voice deserves to be heard. GO: Visit for more information.
