Portuguese Chocolate Salami Recipe

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This Portuguese Chocolate Salami is one of the easiest traditional Portuguese desserts to make. Made with chocolate, cocoa, biscuits, and butter, it comes together quickly and is chilled until firm before slicing. Rich, crunchy, and full of chocolate flavor, it's perfect with a cup of coffee or for sharing with family and friends.

Portuguese Chocolate Salami in a serving dish

Portuguese Chocolate Salami is a classic no-bake dessert traditionally made with chocolate, cocoa, butter, biscuits, and a touch of rum. Despite its name, this sweet treat contains no meat. The mixture is shaped into a log that resembles salami, chilled until firm, and then sliced into rounds.

What makes this dessert so delicious is the contrast between the smooth, rich chocolate mixture and the crunchy pieces of biscuits. It's simple to prepare, requires no oven, and can easily be made ahead of time, making it a great option when you want an easy homemade dessert.

Whether you're looking for an easy Portuguese dessert, a traditional Christmas dessert, or something special to serve at a family gathering, this chocolate salami is a delicious choice. Serve it chilled and cut into slices for a simple dessert that's sure to be enjoyed by chocolate lovers.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy no-bake dessert: No oven is needed, making this a simple dessert for any occasion.
Classic Portuguese recipe: Chocolate salami is a traditional sweet enjoyed in Portugal.
Simple ingredients: It uses everyday ingredients such as chocolate, biscuits, butter, and cocoa.
Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance and keep it chilled until you're ready to serve.
Great for sharing: Slice it into small pieces and serve it with coffee, tea, or after a family meal.

Portuguese Chocolate Salami in a serving dish

Ingredients for Portuguese Chocolate Salami

Here you'll find all the ingredients needed to make this recipe:

Butter - Adds richness and helps create a smooth and creamy chocolate mixture.
Rum - Adds a subtle touch of warmth and depth of flavor that complements the chocolate.
Granulated sugar - Sweetens the chocolate mixture and helps create a smooth texture.
Egg - Helps bind the ingredients together and gives the chocolate mixture a richer, creamier texture.
Cocoa powder (or chocolate powder) - Provides the main chocolate flavor and gives the salami its rich, dark color.
Marie biscuit - Add a light crunch and create the characteristic biscuit pieces throughout the chocolate salami.
Powdered sugar - Adds a light sweetness and gives the finished chocolate salami a classic and appealing finish.

Below you’ll find the correct measurement of all ingredients and the step-by-step guide for this recipe.

How to make Portuguese Chocolate Salami

Step 1: Break the Marie biscuits into small pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Whisk the sugar and egg until creamy and smooth. Add the melted butter, cocoa powder, and rum, and mix until well combined and homogeneous. Finally, gently fold in the broken biscuits with a spatula until evenly coated.

Step 3: Place the chocolate mixture on a sheet of aluminum foil and shape it into a log. Wrap tightly, pressing the mixture firmly to make the chocolate salami compact and evenly shaped.

Step 4: Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, until firm.

Step 5: Remove the aluminum foil and dust the chocolate salami with powdered sugar before serving.

Variations

• Without rum: Simply leave out the rum if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

• Different biscuits: Maria biscuits are traditional, but other plain tea biscuits can also work well.

• With nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for extra crunch.

• Christmas version: Serve it as part of a Portuguese Christmas dessert table alongside other traditional Portuguese sweets.

Tips

• Break the biscuits into small pieces rather than crushing them completely. The pieces create the characteristic texture of chocolate salami.

• Wrap the chocolate salami tightly before refrigerating so it keeps a compact and uniform shape.

• Chill it thoroughly before slicing. This makes it much easier to cut cleanly.

• For the best texture and flavor, remove it from the refrigerator for a few minutes before serving.

• Use a sharp knife to cut the salami into neat slices.

FAQs

What is Portuguese Chocolate Salami?

Portuguese Chocolate Salami is a traditional no-bake Portuguese dessert made with chocolate, cocoa, butter, biscuits, and other simple ingredients. The mixture is shaped into a log resembling salami, chilled until firm, and then sliced.

Why is it called chocolate salami?

The dessert gets its name from its shape. Once the chocolate and biscuit mixture is rolled into a log and chilled, the slices resemble traditional salami.

Is chocolate salami a Portuguese dessert?

Yes. Chocolate salami is a popular traditional dessert in Portugal, commonly known as salame de chocolate.

Can I make chocolate salami ahead of time?

Yes. Chocolate salami is ideal for making ahead. Keep it refrigerated until firm and store it chilled until ready to serve.

How should I serve Portuguese Chocolate Salami?

Slice the chocolate salami into thin or medium-sized pieces and serve chilled. It is especially delicious with coffee or tea.