Romanian Dessert "Salami" (Salam de Biscuiti)

I recently participated in a cultural night at my church.  We had to make ethnic foods from places we've been to.  One of the dishes I made was this delicious dessert, a sweet childhood memory for me.  It's shaped like a salami, that's why the name.  But it is filled with sweet crackers, sugar, cocoa, raisins and other good stuff.  It's super easy to make and seriously delicious.  Enjoy!

 Ingredients:
-1 lb plain animal crackers
-3/4 cup milk
-1 stick (1/2 cup) + 2 Tbs unsalted butter
-1/2 cup sugar
-2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
-4 oz golden raisins
-1 Tbs imitation rum extract
-sweetened coconut flakes
Directions:
Break the crackers into small pieces, but not crumbs (do it by hand), like this:

 In a saucepan, mix the milk and butter.  Once the butter is melted, add the sugar.  Stir until sugar is melted.  Stir in the cocoa powder and mix very well.  Bring to a low boil.  Add the raisins and rum.  Stir and cook for a couple of minutes.  The raisins should start plumping back up by now.
Remove mixture from stove and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Pour slightly cooled mixture over the broken crackers.  Mix very well, until evenly coated, like this:

Let it sit for 10 minutes, until all that goodness is absorbed into the crackers.

Tear and spread a couple pieces of plastic wrap.  Sprinkle with some coconut flakes.  Divide the cracker mixture evenly in two and place on prepared wraps, on top of the coconut.  Roll in the shape of salami.  Sprinkle the top with more coconut.  Cover tightly with the plastic wrap and tie the ends.

Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.  It's best to leave it over night.

Remove from the fridge.  It should be nice and hard by now.  Slice and enjoy!  Store leftovers in the fridge.  

Enjoy!