If you are ready to delight your taste buds with a unique treat, the No-Bake Chocolate Salami with Condensed Milk and Pecans is going to be your new best friend in dessert creation. This charming, no-fuss dessert not only looks impressively sophisticated but also offers a rich, indulgent flavor with a fantastic crunch from the pecans, all without ever turning on your oven. It’s a perfect blend of creamy sweetness from condensed milk, the deep richness of cacao, and the satisfying texture of biscuit cookies transformed into a delightful chocolate “salami”. Whether you’re hosting guests or just treating yourself, this dessert promises to deliver smiles and a little touch of holiday magic all year round.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is wonderfully simple but each ingredient plays an essential role in crafting the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the buttery smoothness to the crunchy pecans, every component shines.
- Biscuit cookies: Roughly chopped to provide that classic salami texture, they add a lovely crunch and body to the dessert.
- Cacao powder: Offers a rich chocolate flavor that’s both deep and slightly bitter, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): Ensures creamy binding while adding richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Condensed milk: Brings natural sweetness and a smooth, sticky texture that helps everything hold together.
- Dulce de leche: Adds an extra layer of caramelized sweetness, enriching the overall taste profile.
- Pecans: Chopped into chunks, they contribute a lovely nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Salami with Condensed Milk and Pecans
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by gathering all your ingredients and ensuring the butter is at room temperature for easy mixing. This small prep step will save you time and effort later on, allowing the flavors to blend flawlessly.
Step 2: Chop and Combine the Biscuit Cookies and Cacao Powder
Using a blender or food processor, pulse the biscuit cookies until roughly chopped. Don’t worry if some chunks remain; they add fantastic texture. Then, add the cacao powder and pulse a few more times to blend it evenly without pulverizing the mixture completely.
Step 3: Mix in Butter, Dulce de Leche, and Condensed Milk
Transfer the crumbly mixture into a bowl and add the softened butter, dulce de leche, and condensed milk. Stir everything together well until you achieve a cohesive, slightly sticky dough that holds together when pressed.
Step 4: Stir in the Pecans
Break your pecans into smaller chunks and fold them into the mixture. The nuts brighten up every bite with a pleasant crunch and earthy sweetness that pairs so well with chocolate.
Step 5: Shape Into Logs and Chill
Scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap or parchment paper, then tightly shape it into a log resembling a salami sausage. Wrap it securely and refrigerate for several hours or freeze until firm. This chilling step is crucial for the dessert to hold its shape when sliced.
Step 6: Dust and Slice
Before serving, dust the chocolate salami generously with powdered sugar to mimic the look of a real salami casing. Slice into rounds and prepare for amazed faces!
How to Serve No-Bake Chocolate Salami with Condensed Milk and Pecans
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes this dessert look charming and festive, but feel free to add a few extra chopped pecans on top or a drizzle of dark chocolate for an elegant finish that will impress everyone at the table.
Side Dishes
This no-bake chocolate salami pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These sides add freshness and lightness that complement the rich, dense chocolate perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve slices on a wooden charcuterie board alongside nuts, dried fruits, and cheese for an unexpected dessert platter everyone will love. Wrapping individual slices in parchment paper tied with twine also makes charming gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic or an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chocolate salami can stay fresh for up to a week, making it a great make-ahead treat that tastes even better after the flavors meld more.
Freezing
If you want to store it longer, this dessert freezes beautifully. Wrap it well to prevent freezer burn, and it will keep for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for best texture.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! This dessert is served cold or at room temperature. Just let it sit a few minutes outside the fridge if it feels too firm, and then slice and enjoy.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts can be swapped in depending on your preference or what you have on hand. Just chop them roughly to maintain the delightful crunch in your chocolate salami.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Definitely! Since there is no alcohol or caffeine, this sweet treat is kid-friendly. Just supervise younger children when slicing to keep things safe.
Can I make this dessert vegan or dairy-free?
You can experiment with vegan butter and sweetened condensed coconut milk alternatives, but be mindful that the flavor and texture might vary slightly. Pecans remain a great choice for plant-based crunch.
How long does the dessert need to chill before serving?
Ideally, chill the chocolate salami for at least 3–4 hours to allow it to firm up nicely. Longer chilling overnight gives the best slicing texture and flavor melding.
What’s the best way to slice the chocolate salami?
Use a sharp knife warmed slightly under hot water and wiped dry for clean, smooth slices. Cut into rounds about 1/2 inch thick for the perfect bite-sized pieces that show off all the nutty, chocolatey goodness.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say the No-Bake Chocolate Salami with Condensed Milk and Pecans is a delightful, fuss-free dessert that will quickly become a favorite. Its richness, texture, and gorgeous presentation make it the perfect treat to share with family and friends. Go ahead, give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever made it through dessert time without it!
PrintNo-Bake Chocolate Salami with Condensed Milk and Pecans
Chocolate Salami is a no-bake, delicious holiday dessert that combines crispy biscuit cookies, rich cocoa, and a creamy blend of butter, condensed milk, and dulce de leche. This easy-to-make treat requires only simple mixing and chilling, resulting in a unique, sausage-shaped chocolate dessert dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for parties or as a sweet gift that stays fresh for months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 lb biscuit cookies
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 1 cup pecans
Wet Ingredients
- 200 g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- 1/3 cup dulce de leche
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are ready and the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Chop Biscuit Cookies: Using a blender or food processor, pulse the biscuit cookies until they are roughly chopped into small pieces, leaving some chunks for texture. Add the cacao powder and pulse a few more times to combine evenly with the cookie crumbs.
- Combine Mixture: Add the softened butter, dulce de leche, and condensed milk to the cookie and cacao mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Add Pecans: Break the pecans into smaller chunks and fold them into the chocolate mixture to distribute them evenly.
- Shape and Wrap: Scoop about one cup of the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Shape it into a log resembling a sausage and wrap it tightly to maintain shape.
- Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped logs for a few hours or freeze them until they harden completely.
- Serve: Before slicing, dust the chocolate salami with powdered sugar. Slice into rounds and serve chilled.
Notes
- This dessert requires no actual cooking or baking, only chilling.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature to blend smoothly.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer storage.
- Using different nuts like walnuts or almonds can add flavor variations.
- Dusting with powdered sugar mimics the look of real salami.