Marks and Spencer’s beloved Big Daddy chocolate bar came out last summer and now it’s getting a Dubai chocolate-inspired makeover. The new product is expected to hit the shelves this month
Marks and Spencer is launching its own version of the phenomenally popular ‘Dubai chocolate’ that’s taken the world by storm, but many shoppers have the same concerns.
The Middle Eastern chocolate bar has dominated social media in recent months, four years after it was reportedly invented in 2021.
A chunky, decadent offering, it’s crafted with a unique filling made with pistachio cream and crispy kataifi pastry, inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert, knafeh; a spun pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in sugar syrup.
After being promoted by influencers on social media, Dubai chocolate has become a hot commodity, inspiring supermarkets and retailers up and down the country to launch similar versions.
Whether you’ve seen it trending on TikTok or not, there’s little doubt you’ve heard of the much coveted chocolate bar, its popularity continuing to expand outside the online space.
Lidl launched its own version of it at the end of March and there were said to be queues of eager customers lining up outside, desperate to get their hands on it.
Waitrose also launched a version that month and had to implement a two bar limit on shoppers. Luxury chocolate brand Lindt has also whipped up an iteration of the viral chocolate bar, with a £10 price tag that doesn’t seem to be deterring customers.
Now, high street favourite Marks and Spencer is the latest company to concoct its own spin on the sweet treat. Founded in 1884 as a market stall, the iconic retailer remains a mainstay to this day thanks to its high quality products spanning a range of departments.
Last summer, it launched The Big Daddy chocolate bar, a chunky, luxurious creation that was quickly compared to the much-lauded Dubai chocolate bar.
Now, it’s going one step further with the Big Daddy Pistachio bar, which will launch on April 23. Sharing news of the announcement on Instagram via its official M&S food page, the retailer penned: “Something BIG is coming… The best things come to those who wait, right?
“Let us take you back to last summer, when our OG Big Daddy was hailed the UK version of THAT viral chocolate bar… well… for those who tuned in to ITV’s This Morning TODAY, you MIGHT know what we are talking about BUT for those who didn’t… this might just break the internet!
“Get your reminders set for 23rd April as you won’t want to miss this”.
The news was then shared by popular food account Sweet Reviews UK, alongside an image of the chocolate bar.
In the caption, the account added: “M&S has taken ALL the layers that you LOVE about the OG Big Daddy Bar, including their thick, signature creamy milk chocolate and gooey sweet and salty caramel, combining them with a light and crunchy, subtly sweet fine biscuit crumb and the ULTIMATE chunky, nutty pistachio layer made with real roasted pistachios, pistachio crème and white chocolate!”
In the comments section, people shared their thoughts – with several disappointed by the inclusion of caramel. One shopper said: “I love love love M&S food, chocolate everything but why on earth did they add caramel to it? That would totally ruin the taste and make it too sickly”.
Another said: “Wish it didn’t have the salted caramel” while a third joked: “Do you think we are gonna be needing a mortgage for that”.
But some weren’t put off by the caramel addition. One person tagged a friend and asked: “Opinions on the caramel bit!?” Which garnered the succinct reply: “YUM”.
