
Chestnut Chocolate Pots
I’ve been wanting to make this recipe for years. It comes from one of my favorite cookbooks – Nigella Christmas, by none other than Ms. Nigella Lawson. She’s a fellow enthusiast and the book just exudes all things holiday!
This recipe uses chestnut cream, which can be purchased at Amazon, of course, as well as specialty delis and shops. Make sure you don’t accidentally buy horse chestnut purée!
Ms. Lawson writes: “I’m almost embarrassed by how easy these are. It’s true that you do need a food processor, though you could just chop well and whisk using a lot of elbow grease.”

Of course these are a perfect dessert for the holidays, but also during the winter months. And they’re delicious!

Chestnut Chocolate Pots
Pronounced “POE”, like Pots de Crème
Printable recipe below
Heaping 3/4 cup best-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more to serve if wished
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
1 – 9 ounce can sweetened chestnut cream
2 tablespoons dark rum
Crush the chocolate to smithereens in the food processor.
In a saucepan, heat the cream and milk until just about boiling and, with the motor off, pour into the processor through the funnel over the chocolate. Let it stand for 30 seconds. Process 30 seconds, then crack the egg down the funnel and process for 45 seconds more.
Add the chestnut cream and rum through the funnel, and process until everything is incorporated.
Remove the blade and, using a rubber spatula and a spoon, fill 6 – 4 ounce glasses or pots. (I used larger bowls. Because.)
If wished, put a jug of unwhipped heavy cream on the table and let people pour it over their pots as they eat. (I didn’t do this but I did use some gold sprinkles for a festive touch.)

I served the pots with cookies.
note: I chilled the pots in the refrigerator for one hour before serving.

Chestnut Chocolate Pots
Pronounced “POE”, like Pots de Crème
Heaping 3/4 cup best-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more to serve if wished
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
1 – 9 ounce can sweetened chestnut cream
2 tablespoons dark rum
Crush the chocolate to smithereens in the food processor.
In a saucepan, heat the cream and milk until just about boiling and, with the motor off, pour into the processor through the funnel over the chocolate. Let it stand for 30 seconds. Process 30 seconds, then crack the egg down the funnel and process for 45 seconds more.
Add the chestnut cream and rum through the funnel, and process until everything is incorporated.
Remove the blade and, using a rubber spatula and a spoon, fill 6 – 4 ounce glasses or pots. (I used larger bowls. Because.)
If wished, put a jug of unwhipped heavy cream on the table and let people pour it over their pots as they eat. (I didn’t do this but I did use some gold sprinkles for a festive touch.)
I served the pots with cookies.
note: I chilled the pots in the refrigerator for one hour before serving.




Loving chestnuts at this time of year! This would make a fantastic dessert.
This is definitely a fantastic desert!
ooooh-
I know…
Yum, looks so delicious! Barb
Thanks, Barb!
Love this idea of using chestnuts in a holiday chocolate dessert. Might have to make this :)
It’s really good! Merry Christmas!
Beauty! I absolutely adore chestnuts and they really don’t get enough love. I actually have some on hand right now, so this is happening ASAP.
You’ll love it!
Looks so delicious! I’m all for chocolate everything.
Thanks Dorothy! Merry Christmas!
Just a very loud ‘YES PLEASE’ from me!!
Hahahahaha! Merry Christmas!
These do sound fantastic, Mimi. I actually have several tubes of chestnut cream and one jar. It’s a favorite ingredient of mine for crêpes. Also, I’ve switched over to using Guittard Cocoa. It’s pretty amazing, and their chocolate is wonderful too. Merry Christmas to you! Hard to believe another year is under our belts!
I love Guittard chocolate! Chestnut is a great ingredient. Merry Christmas!!!
These look absolutely delicious and I love Nigella’s recipes too. I’ve taken note of your very special ingredients. Hoping you have a very special Christmas Mimi. Pauline (Happy Retirees Kitchen)
Thanks, Pauline! Merry Christmas!
Lots o’ Chocolate! Very nice and Merry Christmas
Thanks Charlie! Merry Christmas!!!
These are so good! I made them a while back and could have eaten every little pot I made myself :)
Yes! I completely understand!!! Merry Christmas!!!
I’ll bet these are DEE-licious!
Indeed they were! Merry Christmas!!!
I love Nigella! Happy new year to you.
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Me, too! Happy New Year Sherry!
We love chestnut but usually separate chocolate from chestnut puree and whipped cream. This one is such a simple dessert to make, combining choco and chestnuts. Loooove it!
Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you!! Happy New Year!
Perfect in time for the holidays. When we lived in London many moons ago, Ms Nigella Lawson had her program on TV and I always watched it. I was kinda amazed at the way she spoke- she weaved language like a labyrinth with ease. Her recipes were so rich and decadent and I always wondered how she looked the way she did if she really ate what she cooked 😭
I love Nigella shows! She’s beautiful and so articulate. She was a journalist I’m quite sure, originally. I’m pretty sure she’s a fellow food lover. Loves to indulge!
What a festive recipe (and post) Mimi! I just adore Nigella Lawson and can’t believe that I’ve had her on mind lately, trying to decide which cookbook to purchase (I have 2, but not all) and I was eyeing her Christmas cookbook. I love the chocolate that you used with the chestnut cream. What a delicious treat that my family would devour for their love of chestnuts! I hope your Christmas was wonderful as well as delicious (I have no doubt about that) and wish you all good things in 2026!
I love most all of Nigella’s cookbooks, but Christmas is definitely my favorite. Nigellissima is my least favorite. More good food to come in 2026 for us both!!!
Thank goodness for Chestnut Cream! I tried roasting chestnuts in the oven once and they exploded- making a horrific sound! I love any kind of ‘pots de creme’ and these look delicious! Happy New Year~
Hmm, that last comment was from me, ‘Fran from G’day Souffle’. I’m not quite used to these ‘new ways’ of commenting!
Are they new? I just think WordPress doesn’t always work. My grandmother in France was roasting chestnuts in her ancient oven and they exploded. Terrible and scary!!!