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Imagine you’re sitting at a European streetside cafe, sipping a tiny cup of espresso and watching all the people bustling along. The waiter brings you this confection for dessert.
It’s a slice of chocolate salami, a rich and silky ganache, absolutely packed with crunchy cookies and walnuts. And, the good news? You can make this no-bake dessert at home in just 10 minutes. Buon appetito, indeed!
Chocolate Salami
Have you heard of chocolate salami? This was a new one for me. A reader mentioned it a while back. And, when I heard how fast you can put it together, I just had to give it a try. I mean, 10 minutes to make dessert? Yes, yes, yes.
This dessert is really interesting, in that it really doesn’t quite fit into any of the typical categories. It’s not cake, and it’s not a cookie. But, it does kind of have the essence of a no-bake cookie. And, I think that it’s also a little like a crunchy fudge. But, no matter how many categories it breaks out of, I found it really fun to make and a treat to devour.
Turns out, that variations on the theme for this dessert are totally global. They’re making this chocolatey indulgence in Asia, through much of Europe, and even in South America, too. It’s known as Lazy Cake in Jordan, Cold Dog in Germany, Biscuit Salami in Hungary, and Italian Straw in Brazil, just to list a few. I love how recipes travel!
What is Chocolate Salami
I will admit that there were some points in the process of making this dessert where I doubted myself. But, the reveal was worth it. It really did end up looking like salami, in slices with all the crunchy bits visible. And, the powdered sugar coating even resembles the chalky looking coating that you find on quality Italian salami.
Looks are great, but how did it taste? I have to be honest, here. I absolutely loved it. Heavy cream does something incredible to chocolate. Slow heat transforms the chips and cream into a wondrous ganache. It has a softer, creamier texture while sacrificing none of that decadent chocolate flavor.
Then, you stir in all those lovely texture elements with the chopped nuts and cookies? You could say I was in heaven. And, you wouldn’t be wrong. I will definitely be making this again to serve as a quick bite with a London Fog or coffee when friends visit!
Chocolate Salami Recipe
One of the best parts about making this chocolate salami recipe is that you can make it the way you want. Do you prefer a different kind of nut? You can use it! Are you allergic to nuts? Just leave them out. It’s a super adaptable recipe.
I will say that there is one ingredient I recommend, even though it is optional: liqueur. You would be amazed at the depth and complexity that a spoonful of your favorite liqueur can add to the chocolate. My vote goes toward Frangelico or Kahlua, but just to be clear, this is not a required step. So, if you have alcohol concerns, you can totally skip it!
No Bake Dessert
If you are like me, then you probably love the ease of making a no bake dessert like this chocolate salami. So, after you’ve tried this one, I’ve got you covered with a few more great ones.
These buckeye pretzels are frankly irresistible. A ball of peanut butter, resting between two salty pretzels and dipped in chocolate? I don’t think it gets much better than that, because I love the salty-sweet balance, and the added crunch of the pretzels. But, I also have a recipe for traditional buckeyes (peanut butter balls), if you prefer.
There’s also this incredible recipe for no bake raspberry cheesecake. We’re talking graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, and a homemade raspberry layer on top. This one definitely hits the mark.
And, this no-bake Nutella pie with an Oreo crust is really something. It requires just a handful of ingredients, and the result is every Nutella lover’s dream. You’ll impress your guests twice with this one. First, when you serve it, and then again when you tell them how easy it was to make!
Chocolate Salami
Ingredients
- 16 Biscoff cookies or Vanilla Wafers
- ¾ cup toasted nuts: walnuts pistachios, hazelnuts
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Frangelico Amaretto, Kahlua, or other liqueur OPTIONAL
- 1 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Break or gently crush the cookies into roughly ½-inch pieces. Transfer the cookie pieces and crumbs to a large mixing bowl and add the nuts.
- Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a small glass bowl and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and microwave an additional 30 second increments at 50% power. Stir again until smooth and add the liqueur if desired. Stir to combine.
- Pour the chocolate over the cookies and nuts and stir well to combine. Taste the mixture and add salt only if needed.
- Place two sheets of plastic wrap on the counter and divide the mixture onto them. Roll the plastic tightly around the chocolate and press into a shape that resembles a salami. Twist or wrap the ends tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When the chocolate salami is firm, place the powdered sugar on a plate and remove the salami from the plastic wrap. Roll the salami in the powdered sugar and then brush off any excess sugar. Slice into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Store in an airtight container. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
