Chocolate Salame | Italian "Christmas" Dessert Recipe

While this dessert isn't typically made in Italy for Christmas, we think it makes a splendid holiday treat. It's very simple to make, requires no actual cooking, and is quite the conversation starter as it looks like a real salame!

Watch the Pasta Grammar video where we make this recipe here:

For this recipe, you will need:

- 20 digestive cookies (or other light, low-butter biscuits)

- 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter

- 1/2 cup (100g) sugar

- 2/3 cup (50g) cocoa powder

- 1 tsp honey

- 1/3 cup (30g) whole hazelnuts, or other nuts of your choosing

- 2 tbsp milk

- Powdered sugar for topping

- Butcher twine for presentation

In a mixing bowl, break up the cookies into a chunky, irregular crumble.

Melt the butter in the microwave. While the butter cools a little bit, add the sugar, cocoa powder, honey and hazelnuts into the cookie mix.

Add the butter and honey, then thoroughly mix all together with a spatula.

Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment paper into the rough shape of a sausage—about 3-4 inches in diameter. Roll it up tightly in the paper and twist the ends shut. For an even tighter fit, roll the sausage up in a further layer of plastic wrap. We recommend rolling the whole salami between your hands to achieve an even shape.

Refrigerate the the salame for at least 3 hours, or freeze for 2.

Unwrap the salame and dust with powdered sugar, then lightly rub the sugar into the surface with your hands. For final presentation as a true salame, wrap it with short strands of butcher twine on the serving plate.

Keep refrigerated until it is time to serve. Buon appetito!