The chocolate salami with 3 ingredients proves you don’t need long shopping lists to create a memorable dessert. In this tasty recipe we’ve removed everything superfluous – no butter, no eggs and no added sugars – leaving only the creaminess of ricotta and the intensity of dark chocolate. It’s a magical no-bake dessert: with only three basic ingredients you probably already have in the pantry, you’ll achieve a result that’s velvety and crunchy at the same time. Ideal for those who love “clever”, quick and wholesome desserts that can amaze with minimal effort.
There are other versions of chocolate salami, like Nonna Papera’s Viking salami, the salami cake, chocolate salami with puffed rice or the chocolate salami with hazelnuts. Let’s get to work and prepare the ricotta chocolate salami together.
Let’s get to work and prepare the ricotta chocolate salami together.
OTHER CHOCOLATE DESSERTS
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Rest time: 3 Hours
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 8 servings
- Cooking methods: No-bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients for your chocolate salami
- 11 oz shortbread cookies (frollini)
- 11 oz dark chocolate
- 1 1/4 cup ricotta (cow's milk)
Steps to prepare chocolate salami with 3 ingredients
To start preparing your chocolate salami with 3 ingredients, break the chocolate into pieces and put it in a bowl. Melt it in a double boiler or in the microwave with extreme care: if you use the microwave, proceed in short 30-second intervals to avoid burning the chocolate. I used dark chocolate because it pairs divinely with ricotta, but you can use milk chocolate if you prefer. Once you have a glossy, smooth liquid, mix well and let it cool slightly before moving on.
While the chocolate cools a little, take care of the cookies. Coarsely chop the frollini, aiming for irregular pieces: some reduced almost to powder to bind the mixture and others larger to simulate the fat marbling of a real salami. I crushed them with a pestle, but you can also put them into a freezer bag and roll with a rolling pin. This method is the quickest and cleanest way to get the perfect crumb for your tasty recipe.
In a large bowl, mix the chocolate with fresh whole-milk ricotta. Work the two ingredients with a spatula until they are perfectly merged into a dense, dark cream. Add the cookies and stir well so every fragment is coated in chocolate. Pour the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, trying to shape it into an elongated form directly on the plastic.
Using the plastic wrap, shape it into a salami by pressing firmly with your hands to remove any internal air bubbles. Twist the wrap and tighten the ends. Place in the fridge for two to three hours so the structure sets as the chocolate cools. Once ready, remove the wrap and, if you like, dust with unsweetened cocoa powder before serving. Slice the dessert with a smooth-bladed knife to reveal the beautiful internal cookie mosaic.
Tips for a perfect result
Quality of the ingredients: With only 3 elements, quality is everything. Choose a chocolate with at least 50% cocoa and a very fresh, well-drained ricotta.
Ricotta temperature: Take the ricotta out of the fridge 15 minutes before using; if it’s too cold, it could make the chocolate solidify too quickly while you mix.
Patience during resting: Don’t rush slicing it; the fridge rest is the technical step that transforms a cookie cream into a true chocolate salami.
Tasty variations
Indulgent version: Although the basic recipe uses only 3 ingredients, you can add a pinch of Maldon salt on each slice to enhance the chocolate.
Summer twist: Add some grated lemon zest to the ricotta for a fresh note that balances the richness of the dark chocolate.
Different cookies: Try using chocolate cookies or whole-grain cookies to change the color and flavor shades of your dessert.
Storage
In the fridge: It will keep perfectly for 3-4 days. Since it’s ricotta-based, it’s important not to leave it too long at room temperature.
In the freezer: You can store it for up to a month; serve it sliced thin directly from frozen for an experience similar to a dark truffle.
Now it’s your turn!
Can you resist the temptation to make such a delicious dessert with only 3 ingredients? The chocolate and ricotta salami is the ultimate solution for last-minute guests. Let me know in the comments if you used a rolling pin or a pestle for the cookies and whether your guests guessed the secret ingredient (the ricotta)!
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Can I skip adding sugar?
Yes, the sweetness of the cookies and the natural sweetness of the ricotta (combined with that of the chocolate) is usually sufficient.
Why does it break when I slice it?
Probably the cookie pieces are too large or the salami hasn’t spent enough time in the fridge to compact.
Is the ricotta flavor too noticeable?
No, the ricotta provides structure and creaminess, but the dominant flavor will remain that of the dark chocolate.
