This Chestnut butter or Chestnut Paste recipe has essentially one ingredient, and it's easier than you might think to make. It's also one of the most unique and delicious homemade food gifts you can give for the holidays.
Everyone loves a homemade food gift for this holiday season, and chestnut butter is a delightfully delicious one.
Once upon a time, when I thought of a nut butter, peanut butter was pretty much the only thing that popped into my mind. Then slowly, over the years new nut butters were making appearances in the stores, and in my life. 😉
Almond butter is everywhere now, and cashew butter has almost caught up. Then there’s sunflower seed butter — though not a nut at all. (It gets a mention because it sits on the same shelf as the others.) And I'm sure there are more.
Homemade Nut Butters
I love making nut butters you wouldn’t typically find in stores. They’re not only easy and fun to whip up, but they also make for fantastic homemade food gifts. Don’t you love receiving something you can’t buy anywhere?
Last year I made a most delicious pistachio butter for one of my homemade food gifts, and it was a big hit. And this super tasty chestnut butter is too.
About Chestnuts
Chestnuts are unlike most other nuts because they're quite soft. Their flavor is subtly sweet with earthy notes, and when made into "butter," it spreads very smoothly. In fact, since I made this the other day, I've been spreading it on sourdough toast every morning, with a drizzle of honey. It's SO good!
Learning how to make chestnut butter is easy!
- Roast and peel chestnuts (up to two days ahead of time).
--> Step-by-Step Directions for Roasting and Peeling Chestnuts <--
- Blend the chestnuts for 30 seconds in a food processor, until they're roughly chopped.
- Process them for about 60 more seconds, until they're a fine powder. Then add water, and blend again until the mixture is a paste-like consistency.
I call it chestnut butter. Some call it chestnut paste, and others call is chestnut spread.
Call it what you will, it’s delicious with any title. And it's not to be confused with chestnut cream. The cream is for desserts and has a lot of sugar added to it. (It's delectable, it's just not this.)
Recipe Tips
If your chestnuts aren't easily going from a crumb to a paste, you can add a little more water, bit by bit, until it's smooth and paste-like.
What to do With Chestnut Butter
- Make cake frosting with it.
- Use it in a cookie recipe.
- Spread it on toast.
- Mix it into a savory sauce.
- And of course, it's a lovely (and delicious!) homemade food gift.
How long will chestnut butter keep?
- The chestnut butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately three to four weeks.
- It can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Do not heat it to thaw -- let it sit out and come to room temperature. Then refrigerate.
- The chestnut butter should not be stored at room temperature.
More chestnut recipes:
- Chestnut Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe
- Red Wine Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions
- Cream of Chestnut Potato Soup Recipe
Chestnut Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound roasted and peeled chestnuts
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey if desired
Instructions
- Add the roasted and peeled chestnuts to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, and blend until the chestnuts are a fine powder, about 2 minutes.
- Add the water and honey and blend until the chestnuts are a paste-like consistency. This typically takes about 30 more seconds, but could take longer. It will likely all gather to one place in the food processor. (If it doesn't seem to be coming together, add more water, bit by bit.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Tilesbay
Ok, this has to be the most festive recipe EVER! What a fun idea!
Thanks for sharing.
valentina
Thank you! Hope you give it a go one day. It's easy and fun. 🙂
David
I am definitely making this, Valentina. I have a lot of roasted and peeled chestnuts waiting for a purpose. But give it away? I will have trouble with that. Sharing is a possibility, but only for my favorite people!
charles hurt
Sharing is a possibility, but only for my favorite people!
I hope that might include some poor, needy people.
Happy new year.
valentina
I'm with you! Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
sippitysup
I didn't see an open fire... XOGREG
valentina
love it, Greg! 🙂
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
Oh my Goodness! What a lush holiday gift idea. of course, I'd have to make enough to keep some for myself. Happy Holidays Valentina!
valentina
Thank you Deb. I with you and yours a very happy holiday season, too! 🙂
Calleigh @TheForkBite
I never tried the chestnut butter in my entire blogging journey. This gives me a recollection of my grandma who used to tackle peanut butter. Love this one.
valentina
Aww, I love that this takes you back to your grandmother's cooking. Cooking memories are the best. Hope you try it. Happy Holidays. 🙂
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
Wow, I've never cooked with chestnuts before but this looks so good. What a creative idea and perfect for gift giving!
valentina
You should try cooking with chestnuts. It's fun! And your whole house will smell so delicious. 🙂 Thanks!
lisa
I love the sound of this! I've actually never worked with chestnuts before, but my grandmother used to make them at the holidays. This takes me back to her in the kitchen. Do you think it would be good with some spices? Cinnamon or cardamom?
valentina
Hi Lisa. Yes, I think it would superb with spices. Cinnamon and cardamom, for sure. Maybe cloves, nutmeg . . . Lovely!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Ok this has to be the most festive recipe EVER! What a fun idea!
valentina
Why thank you, Liz! Happy Holidays! 🙂
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
Chestnuts have a wonderful flavour, and very much associated with Christmas. This paste is a lovely idea for a homemade gift. So easy to make.
valentina
Thank so much. Yes, I totally associate chestnuts with Christmas. Roasting on an open fire . . . . 😉
Marcellina
Oh this looks wonderful! Though it is too late here in Australia as we are out of chestnut season but I will be making this next year! Yes, I agree, I love giving gifts that can't be bought in stores. It's such a personal gift, isn't it?
valentina
Yes! Thanks so much. 🙂 Hope you give it a go next year. Happy holidays!