Biscuit Salami – Salam de biscuiti is one of the most popular Romanian desserts, a no-bake roll with biscuits and cocoa that makes children happy.
Childhood memories...
The biscuit salami with chocolate was the first cake I have ever made on my own. I was 11, in the fifth grade, and we learned to make this cake during the “Manual Labour Classes”; that is really what they were called. During these classes, all the girls went to a special classroom equipped with a stove, a fridge, a sink, a sewing machine, and lots of sewing supplies, wool, and knitting stuff, and so on.
The boys would go to another classroom or, better said, a workshop where they would work with wood and stuff like that.
And I remember vividly the first time the teacher showed us how to make one of the most popular Romanian desserts, the Biscuit Salami or Salam de biscuiti.
Ingredients
Butter:
- Unfortunately, this recipe is not the one I got when in school that got lost at some point. But it is very similar; at least, the taste is exactly how I remember it.
- I only know that the old recipe was somehow different because I remember melting a whole pack of butter as a first step when making the Romanian chocolate salami.
- This recipe uses a lot less butter, though, which is fine with me; if I can get the same taste and consistency with half the amount of fat is wonderful.
Biscuits or cookies:
- I use butter biscuits or butter cookies, like the Leibniz butter cookies or Petit Beurre. Any other similar (and cheaper) brand is fine. (Amazon affiliate link)
Cocoa powder:
- Definitely unsweetened cocoa powder, the sweetened one would make this Romanian dessert way too sweet, and I am not even sure if that would work at all; sweetened cocoa powder has a completely different consistency. (Amazon affiliate link)
Rum aroma:
- I didn't like the taste of rum aroma or essence as a child, but I love it now, and I never leave it out of this biscuit chocolate salami anymore. (Amazon affiliate link)
- However, it is optional; use it if you like it, and leave it out if you don't.
The no-bake Romanian biscuit salami or Salam de biscuiti opens a new series on Where Is My Spoon as well; the next two weeks will be dedicated to some of the most popular cakes in Romania, cakes that most Romanian people know and love.
Cakes like this Romanian Biscuit Salami, Romanian Meringue Brownies – Negresa, Romanian Lemon Cake - Lamaita or Alba ca Zapada, the Walnut Chocolate Buttercream Cake or Queen Marie – Regina Maria, and so on. I still have a few spots open, so in case you want me to try a particular Romanian cake for you, you could let me know.
More chocolate desserts
- Easy Bailey's Chocolate Cake
- Italian Chocolate Cookies
- The Ultimate Cherry Brownies (with Chocolate)
- Chocolate Tray Bake
- Chocolate Gateau
- Romanian Chocolate
Biscuit Salami - Romanian Salam de biscuiti
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz butter biscuits like Leibniz Keks or Petit-Beurre
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon rum aroma See note
Instructions
- Break the butter biscuits with your hands into smallish pieces. Place into a bowl.
- Cook: Place the milk and sugar into a small pot and bring to a boil while stirring from time to time. Boil for about 1 minute. Add the butter and stir until melted.
- Combine: Take off the heat, add the cocoa and the rum aroma and stir well. Pour this mixture over the biscuit pieces and mix well until all the biscuit pieces are coated with the cocoa mixture.
- Shape salami: Cut two pieces of plastic wrap/cling film. Divide the mixture in two and place each batch on one of the cling film pieces. Form a rough sausage (as thick as you like it) and wrap it carefully into the cling film to form a “salami.” Repeat with the second batch.
- Refrigerate until they are firm, for several hours or overnight. Slice before serving.
KR says
We have very similar cake- " Spotted dog". Recipe and ingredients are little bit different, but look like similar 🙂 When i can, I will share this recipe.
And yes, this is the best for first cooking 🙂
Adina says
In Germany there is also a local version called Cold Dog! Not a very invinting name for a cake... 🙂
Anca says
You didn't put any Turkish Delight. All the salami I had as a child had Turkish Delight in it. I think I would like it better now without the sweetness of the Turkish Delight. It's been a while since I made biscuit salami. 🙂
Adina says
I think Turkish Delight only makes it into the biscuit salami in some parts of the country, I have the feeling it is more in the South. I've never had it with Turkish Delight, I imagine it would look pretty with all those bright colors. 🙂
mjskitchen says
WOW! These look fabulous! I've never had anything like these and can't wait to try them. Thanks for sharing this recipe Adina.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
So lovely to revive an old recipe from your childhood! I've never had a dessert salami like this before, but it looks so decadent and perfect with a cup of coffee! The biscuits must add a really nice textural component 🙂
Kathy@beyond the chicken coop says
I had a similar class in school, but it didn't include sewing. We never made anything quite as delicious as this cake. It looks lovely!
Brie says
We had a similar class in middle school call Home Economics. It was my favorite, though it only focused on food prep, cooking and kitchen basics. No sewing, etc., probably the reason I can’t sew worth a darn or properly iron a shirt, lol, my poor husband 🙂
This recipe is impressive for only having a few ingredients. Think I’ll have to make it with my nephew, he’ll love the sweet “salami” slices! Thanks for sharing the recipe and fun trip down memory lane.
allie says
This is lovely Adina. When I first saw the title I was thinking - now how is Adina going to mix chocolate with salami and have a good outcome? Ha ha. Looking forward to all the cakes in your series to come! I love baking. Have a beautiful day my friend!
Zerrin says
One of my childhood favorites too. Love the idea of adding rum into it. Must try it next time.
Denise Browning says
What a view! It looks very similar to the Italian salami and the Brazilian one too. It is pure deliciousness!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
It looks like a fun treat, Adina.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Recipes from our youth are always the best! I've never had a dessert salami before, but it looks lovely! I bet this tastes great in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee! Cheers!
Alina says
Loved reading about your childhood memories, really similar to mine. Making biscuit salami will always be a lovely memory for me, since it's one of the first desserts (or maybe the first) I ever made by myself. I could probably eat biscuit salami every day and not get tired of it. Can't wait to see what kind of Romanian desserts you'll bake next, I really need a great recipe for Lamaita 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Valentina | The Baking Fairy says
This is such a fun recipe! We have a biscuit salami in Italy too - we call it Salame al Cioccolato. I've never made it at home but I remember eating it at school parties when I was younger. Funny how totally different places can still have similar traditions. 🙂 I'm excited to see the other cakes you'll be making!
Evi @ greenevi says
Hahaha, I used to hate these as a child, because it was on the menu every week. 😀 But then I had them a few years ago and it brought back so many good memories, I just couldn't stop eating these. Now I wanna make these myself too!
BTW love your pictures!
Sissi says
Wow! It looks like one of my favourite meat products, i.e. black pudding !!! I think it sounds equally delicious as a sweet dish.
grace says
though i've never eaten this, i always love the way it looks--some very creative mind came up with this beaut! nice post. 🙂
Adelina says
My favorite salam de biscuiti recipe! I love adding walnuts and coconut flakes to this concoction. To add even more pizzazz, I love rolling the salami log in coconut? my favorite Romanian childhood treat.