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Sweet Chestnut Roll

17/11/2023

The sweet chestnut roll is a delicious autumnal dessert that combines the softness of sponge cake with the intense flavor of chestnuts. Here’s how to make it with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 120 g of sugar
  • 120 g of flour
  • 200 g of already boiled chestnuts (or ready-made chestnut cream)
  • 200 ml of whipping cream
  • 80 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • Cocoa powder for dusting

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the sponge cake. Beat the yolks with half of the sugar until frothy. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding the remaining sugar.
  2. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture. Then add the sifted flour, mixing from top to bottom to avoid deflating the mixture.
  3. Spread the mixture onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and level it with a spatula. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 10 minutes or until it turns golden and bounces back when touched.
  4. Once baked, turn the sponge cake out onto a damp kitchen towel and gently roll it up while still warm. Let it cool completely.
  5. For the filling, if you have boiled chestnuts, pass them through a food mill to turn them into a puree. If using ready-made cream, soften it with a spoon to make it spreadable.
  6. Whip the cream with the vanilla seeds and powdered sugar. If you wish, you can set aside some whipped cream to decorate the roll later.
  7. Combine the whipped cream with the chestnut puree, stirring gently.
  8. Carefully unroll the sponge cake and spread the chestnut and cream filling, leaving a free edge around the borders.
  9. Roll up the filled sponge cake again, wrapping it in parchment paper, and leave it in the fridge for at least an hour.
  10. Before serving, dust the roll with cocoa powder and, if you have set aside some whipped cream, decorate as desired.

Trivia

Not everyone knows that chestnuts have long been a staple food in the mountainous areas of Italy, especially in times of famine. With the arrival of autumn, chestnut festivals populate the small villages, and the recipes are as varied as they are delicious, from savory to sweet. The chestnut roll is an exquisite way to celebrate this ingredient rich in history and tradition.