Unless you’ve been living off-grid or halfway up a mountain with no Wi-Fi, you’ve probably caught wind of the chocolate madness taking over the internet. “Dubai chocolate” - that viral beast - has amassed over 120 million views on TikTok, triggered an insatiable global thirst for pistachio crème, and somehow managed to create a worldwide nut shortage. Chocolate’s never been so dangerous.
The original Dubai chocolate bar comes courtesy of Fix Dessert Chocolatier, a luxury brand in the UAE that’s been dishing out decadence to those who can afford it. The catch? These mouth-watering creations are strictly local, staying firmly within the confines of the Gulf Tiger. But that hasn’t stopped the masses. Lidl jumped in first, offering a budget-friendly version that vanished faster than you can say "nut shortage." And now, just to keep things interesting, Marks & Spencer'shave decided to toss their hat in the pistachio ring. The world’s gone nuts, might as well get a piece of it.
M&Swww.ocado.com
Introducing the viral M&S Big Daddy bar, now in an irresistible pistachio flavour. Featuring a rich, creamy milk chocolate layered with gooey sweet and salty caramel, now filled with a chunky pistachio layer with roasted pistachios, velvety pistachio crème, and a light, crunchy biscuit crumb.
But is The Big Daddy pistachio everything it promises to be, or just another overhyped chocolate bar chasing its fifteen minutes of fame?
The M&S Big Daddy pistachio taste test
Let’s dive straight into the sweet stuff. M&S has packed this bar with all the layers you love from the original Big Daddy (remember that sweet, salty caramel goodness?) and pimped it up to produce pistachio perfection. Think: silky milk chocolate, gooey caramel, a buttery biscuit crumb, and – the new kids on the block – a thick layer of roasted pistachios, pistachio crème, and a pièce de résistance of white chocolate to round it all off. It’s a flavour-packed, texture-rich bite that’s seriously hard to put down.
Just like the OG Dubai chocolate, M&S’s pistachio treat is unapologetically chunky. This isn’t your typical grab-at-the-checkout chow. At a hefty 280g, this beast of a bar swaggers into your basket, demands legroom, and stares down your Dairy Milk.
Snap it in half, and the caramel doesn’t just break - it performs. Watch in awe as it stretches, clings, and drips with a delicious persistence that feels almost defiant. It’s thick. It’s sticky. And it refuses to be anything less than the star of the show.
Then, the pistachio crème steps in, offering a velvety indulgence that seamlessly balances the caramel’s boldness with a delicate, nutty sweetness. Studded with roasted pistachios, these little green gems bring a smoky, earthy flavour that flirts with savoury notes, adding a layer of depth and grounding the sweetness with a touch of complexity.
However, there’s a slight hiccup. The lack of crispy Kadayif – a key player in the classic Dubai bars – feels like a letdown. While the pistachios serve some crunch, it misses the signature, brittle bite that really makes these bars sing. Close, but not quite the knockout it could’ve been.
Is the M&S Big Daddy pistachio bar worth it?
Let’s talk price-tag. At £8.50, it might make your wallet wince. That said, most of these Dubai-style chocolate bars are cruising around £8 to £10, and some of the so-called “artisan” versions are audacious enough to creep past £15. In that company, Big Daddy’s £8.50 isn’t looking so shabby.
Our verdict? Sure, it’s a bit of a splurge, but when you’re biting into that thick, sticky caramel, £8.50 starts to feel like a steal. But be quick. This chunky monkey won’t last long on the shelves, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out.
Helena Holdsworth is Life and Style Writer covering everything travel, fashion and beauty, celeb wellness and fitness across both print and online for Closer. Whether she’s uncovering the buzziest foodie hotspots, testing the latest wellness fads, or hunting down the best travel hacks, Helena is dedicated to keeping readers ahead of the curve on everything buzzworthy.