Craving something sweet? Chocolate salami is a simple, no-bake treat made with cookies and chocolate. It's the perfect dessert to make ahead and enjoy anytime.
Chocolate salami is a delicious no-bake dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat! It's just what it sounds like - a chocolate dessert that looks like salami. Combining crunchy cookies and a rich chocolate mixture, it looks just like salami—but don't worry, it’s a sweet treat, not something savory! And the best part? It's super easy to prepare with no baking required.
This unique dessert is a classic in many Slavic homes, where it’s enjoyed alongside a nice cup of tea and made for most holidays. Drinking tea is almost like a daily ritual, and chocolate salami is the perfect snack to munch on while you sip.
This recipe is perfect for little ones, too! Crushing the cookies is the most fun part and makes for a great job for small helpers. Who wouldn’t want to whack the cookies in the bag? Kids love it! Plus, since the recipe doesn’t take long to make (and we all know children’s attention spans can be short), it’s a great choice for involving them in the kitchen. They’ll get a kick out of making a dessert that looks like salami and is wrapped up like a giant candy bar.
Want an added bonus? You can make a batch ahead of time, pop it in the freezer, and whenever you have a craving for something sweet, you’ll have your own secret stash waiting for you. It’s also a great go-to treat for spontaneous parties or get-togethers. That is why it's always on my list to make for my holiday baking - it's the easiest recipe, very convenient and always a hit with everyone.
Ingredients for Chocolate Salami
(Scroll to the bottom of the page for the printable recipe with all the measurements.)
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious, no-bake chocolate salami:
- Cookies
Vanilla wafers or tea biscuits are your best bet for this recipe. Essentially, you need cookies that are dry and not filled, so they can hold up well in the chocolate mixture. My personal favorites are Russian/Ukrainian tea cookies like Korovka (if you can find them) or classic American vanilla wafers. These give the perfect crunch and texture to the dessert. - Melted Butter (you can use salted or unsalted butter)
This is the base of the chocolate mixture and what helps bind the cookies together. The butter also adds richness, making the chocolate salami feel indulgent and smooth. - Cocoa Powder
Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder, not a hot cocoa mix. Unsweetened cocoa powder gives the dessert a deep, rich chocolate flavor without the extra sweetness. - Sweetened Condensed Milk
This is what brings the whole dessert together. Sweetened condensed milk is thick, creamy, and sweet, and it creates the perfect texture and flavor for your chocolate salami. It’s the secret ingredient that gives this treat its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
How To Make Chocolate Salami
- Crush the Cookies
- You can crush them with your hands, or give them a rough chop with a knife, with a mix of larger chunks and smaller pieces.
- For a less messier option, grab a rolling pin and crush them right in the cookie bag. No mess, no fuss!
- Tip: Most boxes of vanilla wafers are around 11 oz, and for this recipe, you’ll need about 1 and ½ packages.
- Prepare the Chocolate Mixture
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and sweetened condensed milk together, until the mixture is cohesive and smooth.
- Combine the Cookies and Chocolate Mixture
- Combine everything in a large bowl.
- You should end up with a thick, slightly sticky mixture that will hold its shape. Don't worry if it's a bit loose - it will firm up when it chills in the refrigerator.
- Shape the Chocolate Salami
- Scoop portions of the mixture onto parchment paper or aluminum foil and shape them into logs. Don’t worry about making them perfect.
- You can decide how thick or thin you want your logs, as this will determine the thickness of your slices. If you prefer larger pieces, make thicker logs. You should have 4-5 logs, depending on the size that you prefer.
- Once shaped, tightly wrap the logs in the parchment or foil to smooth them out.
- Chill the wrapped logs in the refrigerator or freezer to firm them up. For quicker results, freeze for 1-2 hours, or refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) if you have more time.
- Chill Your Chocolate Salami
- Chill the wrapped logs in the refrigerator or freezer to firm them up. For quicker results, freeze for 1-2 hours, or refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) if you have more time.
Serving the Chocolate Salami
When you're ready to serve, take the chocolate salami out and sift a little powdered sugar over the top for a finishing touch.
Tip: The salami slices much easier when it’s cold, so make sure it's chilled before cutting. Slice it into rounds and enjoy! The sweet crunch of the cookies and the rich chocolate will melt in your mouth with every bite.
Storing and Freezing the Chocolate Salami
You can store the chocolate salami in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 6 months. Just pop them in a ziplock bag or airtight container if you’re storing them in the freezer.
I love keeping a stash in my freezer—it's the perfect way to have a sweet treat ready whenever the craving strikes. Plus, this recipe is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season when I'm making a ton of different treats. You can prepare it well in advance, and then when you need something quick and delicious, all you have to do is slice and serve!
Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While vanilla wafers are the most popular choice, you can also use tea biscuits or any other dry, crunchy cookies. Just make sure they don’t have filling, as it could affect the texture.
When wrapping the logs in parchment paper or foil, make sure they’re tightly sealed to avoid any air exposure. This helps maintain the shape and keeps the salami fresh.
Absolutely! Chocolate salami stores beautifully in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 6 months. Just wrap the logs tightly, and they’ll be ready to enjoy whenever you like.
No, the fridge works just fine! Chilling in the fridge for a few hours will firm up the salami, but if you want to speed up the process, the freezer is a great option or if you want to store it longer.
Yes! Feel free to add nuts, dried fruit, or even a little splash of vanilla extract or other extracts, like almond of mint for extra flavor. You can also add small marshmallows. Just make sure the mixture still holds together when you form the logs.
More Easy Desserts
- No Bake Graham Cracker Cake
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Shortbread Cookies with Jam (Split Second Cookies)
- Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Salami
Craving something sweet? Chocolate salami is a simple, no-bake treat made with cookies and chocolate. It's the perfect dessert to make ahead and enjoy anytime.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 salamis 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 lb vanilla wafers or tea biscuits
- 2 sticks (8 oz total or 1 cup) of butter, melted
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookies:
Crush or roughly chop the cookies into a mix of coarse pieces and smaller bits. You can use your hands, roughly chop with a knife, or crush them in the bag using a rolling pin or mallet. - Make the Chocolate Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth. - Add the Cookies:
Add the crushed cookies to the chocolate mixture and stir to combine evenly. - Shape the Salami:
Scoop portions of the mixture onto parchment paper or aluminum foil. Shape into logs and tightly wrap them in the paper or foil. You should end up with 4-5 logs. - Chill:
Place the wrapped logs in the refrigerator or freezer to chill until firm (1-2 hours in the freezer, or a few hours in the fridge). - Serve:
When ready to serve, sift powdered sugar over the chocolate salami and slice into pieces.
Notes
- Cookie Type: Use dry, crunchy cookies like vanilla wafers or tea biscuits. Avoid cookies with fillings, as they won’t work as well in this recipe.
- Crushing the Cookies: Aim for a mix of coarse and smaller cookie pieces. Don't crush them too finely, as the texture adds to the charm of the salami!
- Chilling Time: For the best results, chill the chocolate salami for at least a couple of hours. Freezing it for 1-2 hours speeds up the process and makes slicing easier. The colder the log, the cleaner the slices.
- Shape and Size: You can shape the logs as thick or thin as you like, but remember, the size of the logs will determine how thick your slices will be.
- Storage: Chocolate salami can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Just make sure the logs are tightly wrapped to maintain freshness.
- Slicing Tip: It’s easiest to slice the chocolate salami when it’s cold. A sharp knife will help you get nice, clean slices.
Made first version second time this week....sooooooooo good and easy to make! This time my little son (hes almost two) was helping mama to crush cookies lol, we both had so much fun! Thank you dear for posting easy to follow up and very tasty recipes! Blessings to your family!
That's so awesome, Olga. I love to hear about little helpers. I'm glad you enjoyed the chocolate salami:).
Reminds me of the good ol' days... yummmmm. Probably one of my favorite Russian desserts.
I'm glad this brings back warm memories for you, Gene:).
This blog was discovered by "googling" a recipe for the chocolate salami. A co-worker would bring a chocolate salami for us to try and I thought that it may be a good little treat.
After reading the blog, I was drawn the the professional photography and the attention to detail in describing the execution of each recipe. I chose the 2nd version with sugar, and substituted half of it with Splenda to cut the carbs. It was not too sweet which was perfect for my family. Delicious. Thank you very much for all of the hard work you put into each post.
I was wondering if it would taste any different if I used cooked sweetened condensed milk instead? Thanks
Yes, Luba, it will taste different, but you can use it if you want.
Olga thanks for posting this recipe!! I made this and detstvo vspomnila! So good and so easy to make! My kids love it! Thanks for taking time out of your busy life and posting awesome recipes!!
Just wanted to take a moment and say that this blog of yours and you are amazing! Since discovering your blog about a month ago, I'm more interested in cooking and baking! You make it all so simple and easy, it actually gets me excited to cook.You really make cooking stressfree for beginners like me, a relatively new mom of an 8 month old. Believe it or not, but I'm looking up to you, and trying to be more domesticated.
Thank you for this blog. I think you're great!
And may God bless you and your new family!
*Anya
Thank you so much for such a warm comment! You really made me smile:).
I am so glad you are finding it useful and are enjoying cooking.
God bless you too, Anya.
The recipes are really great! For me (Europe) is really a problem, that the ingredients are not in international units.
For example: "2 sticks of butter". How many gramms are this?
Thx! 🙂
Hi Marianna,
Each stick of butter is about 100 grams.
Olga, I made version #1 this past weekend. So easy to make and kiddos love it. Your recipes are awesome!
Since I found your blog 2 weeks ago, all the cooking and baking have been off your blog 🙂
That's so sweet, Elena! I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying the recipes.
hi olga
sorry but being from the uk can you tell me how much is a stick of butter? 100g?? as i think the little people of the house will love this 🙂
Hi Phil! 1 stick of butter is approximately 100 grams.
Hi Olga,
In your 1st version, what is the capacity of 1 can sweetened condensed milk? My local store carries condensed milk of 14oz. Is that enough or will I need 2 cans? Thank you!
1 can will be enough. I've never seen sweetened condensed milk in bigger quantities, except at wholesale stores.
We love this recipe!!! It is also very popular in Romania. On the basic recipe I like to try different variations; I use nuts, coconut, I love to also add almond extract, even green tea (it will be green), and white chocolate with pistachio.
Yep, this recipe can have so many variations, and be tweaked to any taste.
Hi, Was wondering if the is sweetener condensed milk or plain? Thanks!
Barb,
You will need sweetened condensed milk for the first recipe and regular milk for the second recipe.
Hi Olga. First time here and I love your chocolate salami. Such a great idea, need to give it a try soon!
Welcome, Helene! I'm so glad you stopped by and that the Chocolate Salami caught your eye. I hope you'll find many more recipes that you will enjoy.
thank you so much Olga, my kids loved, они делали все сами я только говарила что и как (3 годика и 2)so happy, my husband came home and they like look daddy what we did cho-co-la-te salami...... thanks a lot
You're welcome, Natalka!
I'm so glad to hear that you're getting your kids involved in helping out in the kitchen when they're so young. It sounds like it was fun:). They were probably very proud of themselves:).
I have a question.. can I use dark melted chocolate instead of cocoa? Will it still be the same ingredients? Thanks. By the way, your recipes are delicious! Made several of them a few times already. Good job! Blessings to you!
Nelya,
You can use chocolate, however, the texture will be completely different. I don't know how much you will need to use, since I've never made it with melted chocolate. You'll have to experiment:).