If you’ve spent any time on food TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve seen them. Gleaming clear cups, layered with plump, ruby-red strawberries and clouds of impossibly white, creamy goodness. They’re the Dubai Strawberry Cups, and they’ve taken the dessert world by storm.
Hailing from the luxurious cafes of the UAE, these cups are the epitome of simple elegance. They look like something from a five-star pastry shop, but the secret? They’re deceptively easy to make. You don’t need a plane ticket to Dubai to taste this sensation; you just need a little know-how and a passion for premium ingredients.
Consider this your ultimate guide to bringing a slice of that Dubai dessert magic right into your own kitchen. Let’s create some creamy, dreamy magic.
What Exactly Are Dubai Strawberry Cups?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s understand what makes these cups so special. At their core, Dubai Strawberry Cups are a study in beautiful contrasts.
They typically feature:
- A Base Layer: Often a simple vanilla sponge cake, a crumbled biscuit, or even just a layer of strawberries.
- The Star of the Show: A luxuriously thick, sweet, and creamy white layer. This isn’t your standard whipped cream. It’s often a stable cream made with combinations of rich ingredients that hold their shape perfectly.
- The Crown Jewel: An abundance of fresh, sliced strawberries, both mixed into the cream and artfully arranged on top.
- The Final Touch: A glossy strawberry sauce or glaze that makes the entire cup shimmer.
The result is a dessert that is simultaneously fresh and decadent, light and satisfying. It’s a perfect balance of tart fruit and sweet cream in every single spoonful.
The Secret to the “Dubai Cream”: It’s All About Stability
The biggest question when recreating Dubai Strawberry Cups is: “How do they get that cream so perfectly thick and white?”
The answer lies in using a stabilised cream. While some cafes might use specialized pre-made mixes, we can achieve a similar (and incredibly delicious) result at home with a few simple techniques. The goal is a cream that holds its shape for a beautiful presentation but melts luxuriously in your mouth.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Dubai Strawberry Cups
This recipe is designed for simplicity without compromising on that luxurious taste. You’ll be enjoying these cups in under an hour (plus chilling time).
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cream Layer:
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream (high fat is best)
- 1 cup (8oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Assembly:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 4-6 clear glasses or dessert cups
- Optional: Sponge cake cubes or crumbled vanilla biscuits for the base.
- Optional for glaze: 1/4 cup strawberry jam, warmed and mixed with 1 tablespoon of water.
The Method:
- Prepare Your Strawberries: Wash, hull, and slice your strawberries. Set aside the most beautiful, uniform slices for the top layer.
- Whip the Foundation: In a large, cold bowl, pour in the cold heavy cream. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
- Build the Cream: In a separate bowl, gently whisk the room-temperature mascarpone with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. This step is crucial—room temp mascarpone won’t lump up.
- Combine and Conquer: Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Be careful not to overmix! You want to keep that lovely, airy texture. This is your glorious “Dubai Cream.”
- Assemble the Magic: Now for the fun part!
- Layer 1 (Optional): If using, place a few small cubes of sponge cake or a spoonful of biscuit crumbs at the bottom of each clear cup.
- Layer 2: Add a layer of sliced strawberries.
- Layer 3: Pipe or spoon a generous layer of your cream mixture over the strawberries.
- Repeat: Add another layer of strawberries, then top with a final, beautiful dome of cream.
- The Grand Finale: Artfully arrange your reserved strawberry slices on top. For that signature glossy finish, lightly brush the strawberries with the optional warmed strawberry jam glaze.
- Chill and Set: This is non-negotiable! Place the cups in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. This allows the flavours to meld and the cream to set perfectly, giving you that authentic, scoopable texture.
Pro-Tips for Dubai-Worthy Perfection
- Keep it Cold: Ensure your cream and mixing bowl are very cold. This helps the cream whip up faster and hold more air.
- Don’t Sweeten the Fruit: Avoid adding sugar to the strawberries directly, as it will draw out their water and make the dessert soupy. The sweetness from the cream and glaze is perfect.
- Get Creative: While strawberries are the classic, this is a fantastic template. Try it with raspberries, mangoes, or a mix of summer berries for a different twist!
The KreamyScoops Twist: When You’d Rather Just Indulge
We get it. Sometimes, you want the luxury without the labour. We live and breathe premium, creamy desserts, and the ethos behind the Dubai Strawberry Cups is one we deeply admire: using high-quality ingredients to create something truly special.
If you’re craving that same level of indulgence with zero prep, we’ve got you covered. While our speciality is handcrafted ice cream, our philosophy is all about that perfect, creamy, fruit-forward balance.
Love the idea of premium, creamy desserts? Explore our world of decadent, ready-to-eat treats. Discover your new favourite scoop on our KreamyScoops Flavours Page.
A Taste of Global Luxury, From Your Kitchen
The Dubai Strawberry Cups are more than just a viral trend; they’re a testament to how simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary. It’s about taking a moment to create and savour a beautiful, luxurious treat.
So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and treat yourself to a DIY dessert experience that’s truly worthy of a like. The taste of Dubai is just a few whisks away.
Sources & Further Reading:
- To see the visual process and get inspired by different variations, check out the viral trend on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
- For more on the origins of Middle Eastern desserts and their influence, Taste of Home has a great exploration.
Made your cups? We’d love to see your creations! Tag us on social media @KreamyScoops. And when you’re ready for a cool, creamy treat, we’ll be here waiting for you.