Roasting and peeling chestnuts
Chestnuts are starchy and mildly sweet, and roasting makes them tender and fragrant. Most dessert recipes start with cooked, peeled chestnuts, so it helps to get the first step right.
Basic method:
- Rinse the chestnuts and discard any that feel light, are rattly, or show mold.
- With a sharp knife, cut an X or a long slit through the shell on the flat side. This lets steam escape so they do not burst.
- Arrange them cut side up on a baking sheet and roast at roughly 400 F (200 C) for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the shells curl open and the flesh is tender. Times vary with size.
- Peel while still warm, removing both the hard shell and the papery inner skin. A kitchen towel can help you hold them, and they get harder to peel as they cool.
Peeling is the most time-consuming part, and it is why many cooks choose recipes that do not require whole, perfect nuts.
Do you have to soak chestnuts before roasting?
It is not required. Some cooks soak them in water for a short time first, with the idea that this adds moisture and makes peeling easier, while others skip it. If you try soaking, pat the chestnuts dry before roasting. Cutting the shell is the more important step.
Chestnut puree
Roasted or boiled chestnuts can be blended into a smooth puree that works as a base for many desserts. Blend peeled chestnuts with a little milk or water, sugar, and a splash of vanilla or rum if you like, until smooth. Add liquid gradually, since too much makes it runny. Sweetened chestnut spread (crème de marrons) is sold in jars and is a handy shortcut.
Roasted chestnut dessert ideas
Chestnut cookies
Finely ground roasted chestnuts can be mixed with butter, flour and a little sugar to make tender, nutty shortbread-style cookies, then rolled in powdered sugar while still warm. They are not very sweet inside, so the sugar coating matters. The butter-rich dough is similar to French sable cookies. Related cookies go by names like Mexican wedding cakes, Russian tea cakes and polvorones.
Mont Blanc
This French dessert pipes sweetened chestnut puree into a mound, often over meringue or a tart base, and tops it with whipped cream. For the meringue, see our guide to Italian meringue desserts. Variations include a Mont Blanc crepe cake, with thin crepes layered with chestnut and cream.
Chocolate chestnut fondant
A rich, dense cake made with chestnut puree, chocolate and butter. Chestnut and chocolate go together well, and the cake can be served with cream or fruit.
Chestnut cream cake
Layer sponge cake with chestnut cream and whipped cream, or fold sweetened puree into a mousse or buttercream.
Marrons glaces
Candied chestnuts are a classic confection, but they are fussy and time-consuming. Chestnuts must be peeled whole and then simmered in syrup over days, so many home bakers buy them instead.
Simple serving ideas
- Spoon sweetened puree over ice cream or yogurt
- Fold chopped roasted chestnuts into brownies or banana-based batters
- Pair warm roasted chestnuts with honey and orange
- Serve with a little caramelized fruit; see our caramelized banana dessert recipes for a warm topping that goes well with nutty flavors
Shortcuts
Peeled, cooked chestnuts are sold vacuum-packed or in jars in many shops, and unsweetened or sweetened chestnut puree comes in cans. These save considerable time. Check the label for added sugar before using them in a recipe, as it will change the sweetness.
Storage
Fresh, unroasted chestnuts are best kept in a cool place or the refrigerator and used within a short time, since they can dry out or mold. Cooked, peeled chestnuts can be refrigerated in an airtight container for a few days or frozen for longer storage. Puree can also be frozen in portions.
FAQ
What do I do with roasted chestnuts?
Eat them warm, blend them into puree, or bake them into cookies, cakes and fillings.
Are you supposed to soak chestnuts before roasting?
Soaking is optional. Scoring the shell is the key step.
What are some recipes for chestnut desserts?
Mont Blanc, chestnut cookies, chocolate chestnut fondant, chestnut cream cake, and marrons glaces are common choices.
What are roasted chestnuts good for?
They add a sweet, nutty flavor to desserts and can be eaten as a seasonal snack. Because they are starchy and relatively low in fat compared with many other nuts, they also give baked goods a soft texture.