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. 
It’s not too late to make homemade food gifts for this holiday season!
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 I’m hoping this super tasty chestnut butter will be also. It already is in my house.
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). Here's how to do that.
Blend the chestnuts for 30 seconds in a food processor.
Then for 60 more seconds, until they're a fine powder.
Add water.
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 recipes.
- Spread it on toast.
- Mix it into a savory sauce.
- And of course, use it for homemade food gifts.
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
Homemade Food Gift: Chestnut Butter is so unique and SO delicious!
*Please note that the prep time does not include roasting and peeling chestnuts, which takes about 45 minutes. Here’s how.
*The honey is optional, but I think it adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
*Makes 1½ cups
- 1 pound roasted and peeled chestnuts
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey (if desired)
-
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.
Calorie count is only an estimate.
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!
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 . . . . 😉
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! 🙂
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!
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!
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. 🙂
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! 🙂
sippitysup
I didn't see an open fire... XOGREG
valentina
love it, Greg! 🙂
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
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. 🙂
Hana
Thanks so much for sharing this! Do you store this in the fridge? How long would it keep?
valentina
Hi Hana, The chestnut butter will keep for up to about three weeks in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container. Enjoy! ~ Valentina
Polly jackson
How long does it keep
valentina
Hi Polly, Thanks for asking this important question. (I'm actually going to edit it into the post after answering here.) In an airtight container, the chestnut butter can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. I can also be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to approx 6 months. It should not be stored at room temperature. Enjoy! 🙂
Maria William
I grew up in Japan and there I often ate a cake called Mont Blanc that could be purchased at the bakeries. I’ve googled the recipe and it calls for chestnut paste (the recipe is originally French – makes sense…) – I think your spread would work beautifully for it. I’m gonna try it! 🙂
valentina
Hi Maria, The cake sounds lovely -- I just might have to research that and make it. So happy the chestnut butter will work for it. Let me know how it goes if you think of it afterwards. Enjoy! ~Valentina
Scarlett
Hi there!
I made this 2 weeks ago and it was very yummy! However I’ve kept it in the fridge in a jar and after 2 weeks the flavour has turned slightly sour and lemony. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but obviously it’s starting to go off. Any advice here?
Thanks!
valentina
Hi Scarlett, thanks so much for writing in. I'm happy you liked the chestnut butter. I'm sorry after only 2 weeks, it seems to be a little off. It usually keeps well at least up to 3. Was the jar sealed very well? Did you use the honey? I know it says "optional," but it would help preserve it a bit. Wish I could be more helpful here. Thanks for checking out my recipes, and I hope you're staying well with all that's happening. 🙂 ~Valentina
Jason
Hey, are there just 2 ingredients? Chestnuts and water? In the title it mentions 3 ingredients, so I am thinking, have I missed a step? Thanks
BTW, I am using this as an ingredient in treacle toffee to make roasted chestnut bonfire toffee.
valentina
Hey Jason, thanks for writing in. Honey is also listed (as optional). The toffee you're making sound fantastic! I'll have to try that too! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kay Stoecklin
Can this be canned in a water bath, so it's shelf life is extended beyond fresh? Thank you!
valentina
Hi Kay. Thanks for writing in. 🙂 Generally nut butters aren't canned at home because of their density and low acidic level, which can lead to them becoming rancid quickly. The chestnut butter can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks. And better yet, you can store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.
A food blogger friend of mine has a site that includes a ton of canning information. It's Beyondthechickencoop.com, and here's the canning section. I don't think there are nut butters, but it could be helpful overall. Warmly, Valentina
charles hurt
I plan to try making Chestnut butter soon.
But are you sure it contains CALORIES-79 kcal?
Seventy-nine thousand seems pretty high to a novice like me.
Speaking of high, my supermarket chestnuts cost $10/lb this fall in Utah.
valentina
Hi Charles. Thanks for writing in. 🙂 So, 1 "kcal" is the same as 1 Calorie. Math is not my strong suit, but here is a helpful explanation. In the case of this recipe, the estimated calories are just 79 per serving, not 79,000. Chestnuts are actually one of the lowest fat nuts so the calories are considerably lower than in other nuts. I hope the link helps explain this. If there is a Trader Joe's market near you, they sell chestnuts for much less -- hopefully they still have them! Happy New Year! ~Valentina