These unbaked cookies made to look like slices of salami, are an extremely popular dessert in Eastern Europe and not only. Because “Chocolate Salami Cake” dessert is made in no time, easy to find and cheap ingredients many mothers used to include it in their children lunch bag. Personally I don’t know any co-national who doesn’t like “Salam de Biscuiti” or who doesn’t get excited when invited to eat few slices of this sweet delight. This past Christmas I made three batches with double ingredients and every Spaniard who tried it, loved it. Some even asked for the recipe. So here are my directions for “Chocolate Salami Cake” cookies. You can easily double the quantity of the ingredients, and you are not going to regret it. There are numerous variations of this popular dessert and the add ons can include assorted nuts like pistachio, almonds, walnuts and dried fruits of your choice.

Ingredients:

9 oz (250 g) Plain biscuits

(“Maria” cookies from the International food section of your supermarket are the best for this recipe)

1/3 c (80 g) chopped walnuts (I prefer to toast them)

3/4 c (200 g) chopped dried apricots

5 oz (100 g) seedless raisins (soaked overnight in rum or water)

3 -1/4 cups (150 g) sugar

4 oz (100 g) butter (one stick)

1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

2 TBS cocoa powder

Rum or vanilla essence (as much as you like)

Shredded coconut or almond flour (to ornate)

Directions:

In a small pot over low heat mix the milk, sugar, butter and cocoa until all the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool

With a wooden rolling pin, crush the cookies (do not powder them)

Add over the crushed cookies the dry fruit (walnuts, apricots, rum drained raisins) and mix well

Add the cooled milk, butter and sugar mix and blend everything very well

On the work surface, place a layer of plastic wrap.

Powder the plastic wrap with coconut flakes or almond powder

Place the chocolate biscuit mixture in the center and shape it into a log, with the help of the plastic wrap

Tightly wrap the log similar to a salami shape. Twist the ends and tie in a knot. Place the “salami”in the fridge for at least 4 hours or even better, overnight.

These rolls of chocolate salami cake were made with double the above quantities

E Voila!

Chocolate Salami Cake

Such a sweet treat for young and old sweet teeth. If you try this recipe once, I guarantee you’l make it over and over again. If you don’t believe me, just do it.