Treat yourself to this decadent trifle inspired by Dubai’s penchant for the finer things in life — layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy mascarpone, fresh berries and a splash of rosewater. Ideal for celebrations, Eid feasts or to impress guests, this dessert strikes a balance between elegance and bold flavor. Crowned with edible gold, pistachios and pomegranate, it’s a showstopper fit for a Dubai skyline!
Ingredients
Base Layers:
- 1 (9×13-inch) chocolate cake or brownie (store-bought or homemade), cut into cubes
- ½ cup rosewater or orange blossom simple syrup (1 tbsp rosewater + ½ cup hot water + ¼ cup sugar)
- 1 cup of mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
- ½ cup Medjool dates, pitted & chopped (optional caramel-like sweetness)
Cream Layer:
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese or whipped labneh (Middle Eastern strained yogurt)
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp rosewater or orange flower water
Toppings & Garnish:
- Edible gold leaf or gold dust (optional but glam!)
- Crushed pistachios
- Fresh mint leaves
- Dark chocolate shavings
- Extra berries and pomegranate
Instructions
Prep the Cake:
- Make 1-inch cubes of chocolate cake. Sprinkle with rosewater syrup to moisten.
Make the Cream:
- Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in mascarpone and rosewater, until smooth.
Layer the Trifle:
- In a big glass trifle bowl, layer half the cake cubes, followed by half the cream, berries, dates and pomegranate. Repeat layers.
Chill & Garnish:
- Chill for 2–4 hours to set. Garnish with pistachios, chocolate shavings, mint, edible gold and additional berries before serving.
Tips & Variations
Vegan Adaptation: Make with coconut whipped cream and vegan chocolate cake.
Floral Boost: Stir a little saffron into the cream or syrup.
Date Syrup Drizzle: Instead of rosewater syrup, drizzle date syrup (common in Dubai!).
Chocoholic’s Dream: Add chocolate ganache between the layers.
Season Swap: Replace the berries with figs or caramelized apricots.
Serving & Storage
- Serve: Layer in single glasses for a great visual impact. Pair with Arabic coffee or mint tea!
- Store: Cover and refrigerate for 2 days (add fresh garnishes right before serving).
Final Thoughts
This Dubai-inspired trifle combines tradition with modern indulgence — creamy, fruity and redolent of Middle Eastern flavors. It’s a dessert that’s as pretty as it is tasty — Instagram ready. Don’t skimp on the gold leaf; in Dubai, bigger is better!
Tried it? Take a pic of your golden creation and share it with #DubaiTrifleMagic!