This autumnal dessert is loved in northern Italy as much as in Switzerland and France: sweet chestnut puree with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Majestic like the real Mont Blanc. And incredibly delicious

The dessert of the poor

In Italy, you are sure to find Montebianco served in the Aosta Valley as well as in Piedmont and Lombardy. Everywhere where sweet chestnuts thrive. This delicious dessert can be traced back to the 17th century. In those days, only the rich could afford the luxury of a dessert. Most people in the barren mountain regions hardly had enough to eat anyway. But the nutritious chestnuts often helped the poor population survive times of famine. And on festive and special occasions, a dessert was even served. It is said that the "mountain" of chestnut puree was first served in the area around Mont Blanc.

Montebianco. Sweet chestnuts from a spoon

Montebianco Dessert: A Decadent Chestnut Puree Delight

Montebianco, a timeless Italian dessert, is the perfect indulgence for chestnut lovers. Made with creamy chestnut puree, a touch of sugar, and a hint of vanilla, this treat is beautifully crowned with fluffy, lightly sweetened whipped cream. Its snowy appearance evokes the majestic Mont Blanc mountain, adding a touch of elegance to your dessert table. Whether served at holiday gatherings or as a cozy autumn treat, Montebianco offers a luxurious combination of flavors that's sure to impress.

Montebianco variations

The original recipe is very simple. The roasted chestnuts are cooked with milk and sugar to a soft cream and refined with whipped cream and cocoa. Traditionally, Montebianco is served on a serving plate and placed in the middle of the table as in the old days. Everyone is given a spoon and can help themselves. Of course you can also make individual portions. Not only the presentation, but also the recipe is flexible. So vegans can use almond milk and vegetarian whipped cream. Some also replace the cocoa with Matcha tea powder, which gives Montebianco a Far Eastern touch.

📖 Recipe

Montebianco

Sweet chestnut puree with a dollop of whipped cream on top

[en]4.29 from 7 votes[/en][de]4.29 von 7 Bewertungen[/de][it]4.29 da 7 voti[/it]

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course Dessert, sweet, sweets

Cuisine Italian, Lombardy, Piedmont

Servings serves

Calories 748 kcal

Ingredients

700 g chestnuts, with shell
700 ml milk, full fat
1 vanilla pod
120 g sugar
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon rum, optional

also

250-500 ml whipped cream
2 tablespoon icing sugar
cocoa powder

Instructions

Boil chestnuts in water until soft and peel them.
Simmer on a low flame with milk, sugar, vanilla pod and a pinch of salt until the chestnuts have absorbed all the liquid. Stir until creamy and allow the mixture to cool down.
Add rum and press the chestnut cream directly onto the serving dish using a potato press. If you are able, try to create a mountain.
Whip the cream with the icing sugar until stiff and decorate your "mountain" with it. You can decide how "snowy" your mountain should be!
Serve cold.

Notes

As an alternative to fresh chestnuts, you can use 200 g chestnut flour or pre-cooked chestnuts, which saves a lot of time. If you are a chocolate lover, you can stir around 20 g of unsweetened cocoa powder or dark chocolate pieces into the chestnut cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 748 kcalCarbohydrates: 128 gProtein: 10 gFat: 22 gSaturated Fat: 12 gCholesterol: 65 mgSodium: 94 mgPotassium: 1170 mgSugar: 48 gVitamin A: 757 IUVitamin C: 70 mgCalcium: 294 mgIron: 2 mg

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I Want to Hear From You!

Have you ever tried making Montebianco at home? Share your tips, variations, or any questions you have in the comments below. Let's inspire each other to recreate this classic Italian dessert in our kitchens! Buon appetito!