Chocolate Salami: the Ultimate No-Bake Dessert
Discover the joy of making your own Chocolate Salami. This no-bake, easy-to-make dessert is a delightful blend of cherries, chocolate, and hazelnuts. Perfect for any occasion!
Chocolate salami is a no-bake dessert that perfectly combines ease of preparation with decadence and flavour. When it comes to convenience and simplicity in dessert-making, no-bake options are a game-changer.
The beauty of no-bake desserts like chocolate salami lies in their minimalistic approach. There’s no need for an oven, precise temperatures, or baking times. Instead, you simply mix the ingredients together, shape the mixture, and allow it to chill until it’s set. This process not only makes for a stress-free cooking experience but also allows the flavours to blend beautifully, creating a rich, indulgent treat.
What is Chocolate Salami?
Despite its meaty name, chocolate salami is a sweet delicacy made with simple ingredients that most of us have in our cupboards. At its core, chocolate salami consists of good quality chocolate, biscuits (digestive or Marie biscuits work well), dried fruits (like cherries), and nuts for added texture.
The ingredients are mixed together, shaped into a log, and chilled to set. The result is a delicious dessert that, when sliced, bears a striking resemblance to salami – hence the name.
A Taste of Tradition
Chocolate salami has its roots in Italy, but variations of this dessert can be found across Europe. Each version comes with its unique twist, but the essence of the recipe remains the same – a no-bake treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the crunch of biscuits and the sweet tang of dried fruits.
This versatile dessert is great for various occasions – Halloween, Christmas, Easter, you name it! It’s not only a crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic way to use up that half-pack of biscuits or leftover dried fruits from other recipes.
Crafting Your Chocolate Salami
Creating a Chocolate Salami is an experience that blends simple ingredients into an exquisite dessert. Here’s your guide to crafting this delightful treat:
Plumped Dried Cherries: Kickstart the process by immersing dried cherries in a liquid of your preference – be it chai tea, Cointreau, or rum. This not only rejuvenates the cherries but also infuses them with a burst of rich, tantalising flavours.
Quality Chocolate: The heart of Chocolate Salami lies in using top-tier dark chocolate. The superior taste and texture of high-quality chocolate form the core of this dessert, making it irresistibly delicious.
Butter and Golden Syrup: These two components lend a velvety smoothness and subtle sweetness to the mix, enhancing the overall taste and mouthfeel of the Chocolate Salami.
Hazelnuts and Digestive Biscuits: To balance the creaminess of the chocolate, introduce some crunch with hazelnuts and digestive biscuits.
These ingredients not only contribute to the unique ‘salami’ appearance but also add an interesting textural contrast to the dessert.
Discover More Sweet Treats
So, if you tried this recipe let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of nuts instead of hazelnuts?
Absolutely, you can replace hazelnuts with almonds, walnuts, or any other nuts you prefer.
Can I make the Chocolate Salami without alcohol?
Yes, you can simply soak the cherries in hot water or juice instead of chai tea, Cointreau, or rum.
How long does Chocolate Salami last?
If stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, it can last up to 2 weeks.
Why is my Chocolate Salami too soft?
This could be due to not enough setting time in the fridge. Make sure to chill it for at least 1-2 hours or until firm.
Can Chocolate Salami be frozen for later use?
Yes, you can freeze it. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I add other dried fruits to the Chocolate Salami?
Definitely, feel free to add other dried fruits like apricots, raisins, or cranberries for added flavour and texture.
Chocolate Salami: the Ultimate No-Bake Dessert
- Total Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Yield: 18-20 slices
Description
Discover the joy of making your own Chocolate Salami. This no-bake, easy-to-make dessert is a delightful blend of cherries, chocolate, and hazelnuts. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 70g dried cherries
- 30ml chai tea, Cointreau, or rum
- 200g dark chocolate
- 100g butter
- 50g golden syrup
- 100g hazelnuts
- 120g digestive biscuits
- 1/4 cup icing sugar
Instructions
- Start by soaking the dried cherries in your choice of hot tea, Cointreau, or rum. This will plump them up and infuse them with flavour. Let them soak for about 15-20 minutes, then drain any excess liquid.
- While the cherries are soaking, break the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the butter and golden syrup to the bowl as well.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in short bursts of 20-30 seconds each, stirring well after each burst. Continue microwaving and stirring until everything is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate; you want it just melted.
- Allow the melted chocolate mixture to cool slightly. Adding the mixture to the biscuits while hot will make them go soggy.
- Roughly chop the hazelnuts and digestive biscuits into small pieces. You want them to have some texture, so don’t make them too fine.
- Add the drained cherries, hazelnuts and biscuits into the chocolate mixture. Stir everything together until the chocolate evenly coats all the ingredients, and you have a cohesive mixture.
- Lay a large piece of baking paper on your work surface. Spoon the chocolate mixture onto the paper and shape it into a log shape. You can use the paper to help you roll and shape the mixture evenly.
- Once you have a well-formed log, twist the ends of the baking paper to secure it. Place the chocolate salami in the fridge to set. Rolling and shaping it occasionally while it chills will help get a more even round shape as it sets
- After a few hours in the fridge, or once it’s firm to the touch, remove the chocolate salami. Unwrap it from the baking paper.
- Finish by dusting the surface of the chocolate salami with a generous coating of icing sugar. This will give it a “salami” appearance.
- Slice the chocolate salami into rounds, and serve as a delightful dessert or snack. Happy cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: Setting time 1-2 hours or until firm
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: European
