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If you’re looking for a no-bake dessert that’s fun, rich and perfect for sharing, Italian chocolate salami – salame di cioccolato is your answer. Despite the name, there’s no meat involved, just a delicious mix of chocolate, cookies and liqueur shaped into a salami-style log. This traditional Italian treat is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or just want something indulgent with minimal effort, Italian chocolate salami, or salame di cioccolato, is a sweet, nostalgic favorite.
Italian chocolate salami – salame di cioccolato is a rich, indulgent, no-bake dessert made with dark chocolate, cookies and amaretto, perfect for gifting or serving.
Also try bomboloni (Italian style donuts), pie iron pineapple upside down cakes, pizzelle, church window cookies or any of these cookie recipes.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s no-bake and simple: This dessert doesn’t require an oven, making it great for all skill levels.
Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for prepping in advance—it chills beautifully and slices clean.
Eye-catching presentation: The salami shape dusted with powdered sugar looks unique and fun. And it’s pretty enough for gifting. Simply wrap it in parchment and string for a festive edible gift.
Customizable: You can switch up the cookies, liqueur or chocolate to suit your taste.
Rich and indulgent: A creamy, fudgy texture with bursts of cookie crunch makes it seriously satisfying.
Chocolate Salami Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Eggs: Create a silky base when whisked into the heated cream and sugar mixture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the chocolate mixture and helps form a smooth texture.
Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and a soft, truffle-like consistency.
Dark chocolate chips: Melt into the base for deep, chocolate flavor.
Salted butter: Gives the dessert a smooth finish and a hint of salt to balance the sweetness.
Amaretto liqueur: Adds a nutty, slightly boozy flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate and balances the sweetness.
Shortbread cookies: Broken into chunks to mimic the look of fat in a traditional salami and add texture.
Powdered sugar: Dusts the outside to give the appearance of cured salami.
How to Make Italian Chocolate Salami
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Heat the base: Whisk together eggs, cream and sugar over a double boiler until hot and smooth.
Add chocolate and butter: Stir into the hot mixture until fully melted and combined.
Mix in the flavor: Add salt and amaretto, then let the chocolate mixture cool.
Combine with cookies: Fold the chocolate into the broken shortbread chunks.
Form into a log: Shape into one or two logs using plastic wrap, then roll tightly.
The finishing touches: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until firm, and then roll in powdered sugar, slice and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Use different liqueurs: Try rum, amaretto, coffee liqueur, grappa, brandy, or hazelnut liqueur for a new twist. You may like the addition of some orange zest if you are using a rum or brandy.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free cookies in the recipe.
Dark chocolate: Substitute white chocolate or milk chocolate.
Swap the cookies: Digestive biscuits, graham crackers and amaretti cookies all work well. More ideas include vanilla wafers, butter cookies and Biscoff cookies. Any dry cookies or crunchy biscuits will work for this no bake chocolate dessert.
Make it nutty: Add chopped hazelnuts, pistachios or almonds for more texture.
Skip the alcohol: Use vanilla extract or espresso for a non-alcoholic version.
Serving Suggestions
With a drink: Enjoy a lavender matcha latte, a Santa’s hat cocktail or some homemade limoncello with your chocolate salami.
With more sweet treats: Pair it with Christmas marshmallow pops and reindeer cupcakes.
How to Store Italian Salami
Store: You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 6 days, either whole or in slices. Keep it in an airtight container so it won’t dry out.
Freeze: Another option is to freeze it (again, either whole or in slices) for up to a month.
Thaw: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Top Tips
Let the chocolate cool slightly: This keeps the cookies from getting soggy or melting into the mixture.
Shape while the mixture is soft: It firms up fast, so roll the log before it stiffens completely.
Wrap tightly: A snug plastic wrap helps eliminate air bubbles and gives the salami a firm, smooth shape.
Dust before slicing: Wait to add powdered sugar until just before serving for the best appearance.
Italian Chocolate Salami FAQs
Moderation is the key here. Roll it too loosely and it will fall apart. Roll it too tight and it will split at the seams. If you can get it tight enough to hold its chocolate log shape, that’s perfect.
It is believed the original recipe is from Sicily originally and was also prepared for a Passover treat in Bologna. There are plenty of different recipes for it today. Chocolate salami log (Salame di Cioccolato) was featured in an Italian cookbook aimed at kids called ‘Manuale di Nonna Papera’ which means Grandma Duck’s Recipes back in the 1970s.
Italian Chocolate Salami Recipe
Italian Chocolate Salami – Salame di Cioccolato
Equipment
- Pot Small or Double Boiler
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
- 5 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 11 Ounces dark chocolate chips
- ¾ Cup salted butter, 6 Ounces, at room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons liqueur, amaretto or preferred liqueur
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- 10 Ounces shortbread cookies
- powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Fill the bottom of a double boiler (or a small pot) about ¼ full with water, then in the top of the double boiler (or a heat safe bowl seated on top of the small pot) mix together the egg yolks, heavy cream, and sugar until smooth.
- Heat the mixture over medium or medium high heat while whisking continuously until the mixture is hot.
- Once hot, remove from the heat and immediately add in the dark chocolate. Slowly stir the chocolate in, allowing it to melt.
- When the chocolate has melted add the butter, stir until combined, then add the salt and amaretto and stir again.
- Set the chocolate mixture aside to cool down.
- Break apart the cookies into chunks and place in a large bowl. When the chocolate has cooled to the touch, pour into the cookies and gently mix together. Let this mixture rest until it becomes thick like pudding, but not hardened.
- At this point you can choose to make one large or two small salami, if you choose to do two you will do the following steps with 1/2 of the mixture at a time. Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter, scoop the mixture into a log on the plastic wrap.
- Fold one long edge of the plastic wrap over the top of the chocolate and line it up with the other long edge. Gently press the plastic wrap onto the chocolate and form it roughly into a log. Try to get as many air bubbles out as you can. Use the open ends of the plastic wrap as handles and roll the log over the excess long edge off plastic wrap. Then continue to lift the log up slightly and roll forward again, each time rolling in the same direction.
- Soon the log will begin to tighten and form on its own. Once it is tight and firm, set on a tray with the seam side down and place in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
- When ready to serve, unwrap the log and dust with powdered sugar, use your fingers or a pastry brush to cover the whole salami. You can also wrap the salami with butcher’s twine to give it a fun aesthetic!
- Slice and serve, store leftover slices in an airtight container with parchment between the layers.
Notes
Shape while the mixture is soft: It firms up fast, so roll the log before it stiffens completely.
Wrap tightly: A snug plastic wrap helps eliminate air bubbles and gives the salami a firm, smooth shape.
Dust before slicing: Wait to add powdered sugar until just before serving for the best appearance.
Nutrition
Italian chocolate salami – salame di cioccolato is a rich, nostalgic treat that’s as delicious as it is fun to make. With its mix of dark chocolate, cookies and amaretto, it offers a luxurious flavor and texture that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re making it as a holiday treat, a hostess gift or a dessert for guests, it’s always a hit. This simple, no-bake recipe is one you’ll want to come back to again and again.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I loved the Amaretto flavor. It paired perfectly with the chocolate and cookies!
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends too! 🙂
I love how this looks like salami but is so sweet and gorgeous.
I love this recipe!