--- title: "Chilean Chestnut Log — Homemade Tronco de Castanas y Chocolate Recipe" description: "Versión en Español. Chilean tronco de castanas is a no bake Christmas log made from a homemade chestnut puree cooked in milk with sugar, vanilla, and butter, rolled around a milk chocolate ganache, an..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-chestnut-chocolate-log-tronco-de-castanas-recipe/ date: 2026-09-27 modified: 2026-09-27 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-chestnut-chocolate-log-featured.jpg categories: ["Desserts"] type: post lang: en --- # Chilean Chestnut Log — Homemade Tronco de Castanas y Chocolate Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-tronco-de-castanas/) ![Decorated chestnut and chocolate log served in slices on a Christmas dessert table](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-chestnut-chocolate-log-featured.jpg)*Homemade Chilean chestnut log* Chilean tronco de castanas is a no bake Christmas log made from a homemade chestnut puree cooked in milk with sugar, vanilla, and butter, rolled around a milk chocolate ganache, and covered in more chocolate. It takes about 45 minutes of preparation plus 3 hours of chilling and serves 8 people. It is one of the most elegant desserts of Chilean baking, a favorite for Christmas and New Year dinners, with a creamy texture reminiscent of the San Francisco dessert. ## How to Make Chilean Chestnut Log? Choose fresh, healthy chestnuts, roast or boil them first, and peel them. They are then cooked in milk until tender, pureed with butter, spread into a sheet, filled with ganache, and rolled into a log. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of chestnut log contains approximately 420 kcal, 55 g of carbohydrates, 21 g of fat, 6 g of protein, 5 g of fiber, 30 g of sugars, 35 mg of cholesterol, and 70 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Homemade Chilean Tronco de Castanas Recipe **Preparation:** 45 minutes **Chilling:** 3 hours **Servings:** 8 people ### Ingredients - 1 kg (2.2 lb) of raw chestnuts (about 500 g once peeled) - 500 ml (17 fl oz) of whole milk - 200 g (7 oz) of milk chocolate - 200 ml (7 fl oz) of cream - 100 g (1/2 cup) of sugar - 75 g (2.6 oz) of butter - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ### Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 200 C (392 F) for at least 10 minutes. Wash the chestnuts, cut a cross in the tip of each, place them on a baking tray, sprinkle with water, and roast for about 10 minutes. Let them cool a few minutes and peel them, squeezing from the base. ![Roasted and peeled chestnuts ready to cook for the puree](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/roasted-peeled-chestnuts.jpg)*Roasted Chestnuts* 1. In a medium pot, heat the milk over medium heat and add the sugar, the peeled chestnuts, and the vanilla. Cook for 20 minutes until the chestnuts are tender, drain, add the butter, and pass through a food mill into a fine puree. Let it cool. ![Freshly made homemade chestnut puree](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/homemade-chestnut-puree.jpg)*Chestnut Puree* 1. In a small pot, bring 120 ml of the cream to a boil, take it off the heat, add 100 g of the chocolate, and stir until smooth. Refrigerate for about 60 minutes. Spread the chestnut puree on a sheet of plastic film and shape it with your hands and a rolling pin into a 30 x 25 cm rectangle. 2. Spread the chocolate mixture over the puree, roll it up with the help of the film, and refrigerate for 3 hours. Melt the remaining 80 ml of cream with the remaining 100 g of chocolate, set the log on parchment paper, and pour the chocolate over it, tapping gently to smooth. Serve chilled, in slices. ## Additional Tips ### Sieve the puree For a silkier texture, press the chestnut puree through a fine sieve after milling to remove any lumps. ### Salt the chocolate A pinch of sea salt in the melted chocolate brings out its depth without overpowering it. ### Roll at room temperature Work with the puree at room temperature. Cold puree is stiff and cracks when rolled. | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Fresh chestnuts | Vacuum packed peeled chestnuts | 500 g | Quicker | | Milk chocolate | Semisweet chocolate | 1:1 | Deeper, less sweet | | Whole milk | Almond or rice milk | 1:1 | Lactose free | | Butter | Lactose free butter | 1:1 | Lactose free | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. How do I keep the log from cracking when rolling? Work the chestnut puree at room temperature and use plastic film. If the puree is too cold it becomes stiff and cracks; make sure it is neither too dry nor too wet. ### 2. Can I use canned chestnuts? Fresh chestnuts give the best texture and flavor, but vacuum packed or frozen peeled chestnuts work too. If you use chestnuts in syrup, reduce the sugar. ### 3. Which chocolate is best for the ganache? The recipe uses milk chocolate for a classic sweetness; for a deeper, less sweet flavor, use 50 to 60% semisweet chocolate in both the filling and the coating. ### 4. Can I make it lactose free? Yes. Use plant milk such as almond or rice, and lactose free butter and cream. ### 5. How long does it keep? Well wrapped in the refrigerator it keeps for 4 to 5 days. You can freeze it without the final coating for up to 2 months. ## What Is Tronco de Castanas? Tronco de castanas is a chestnut log, a rolled, chilled dessert shaped like a tree trunk and covered in chocolate. In Chile it is a traditional year end dessert served at Christmas and New Year. ## History and Origin of the Chestnut Log The chestnut log is related to the French buche de Noel, especially the chestnut versions of the Ardeche region, where chestnut cream and sponge were rolled and covered in chocolate to look like a Yule log. ## Did You Know? Chestnuts are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, and unlike most nuts they are low in fat. ## Recommended - [Chilean Pan de Pascua Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-pan-de-pascua-christmas-fruitcake-recipe/) - [Chilean Mocha Cream Cake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-mocha-cream-cake-torta-moka-manjar-walnut-recipe/) - [Chilean Ladyfinger Cake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-ladyfinger-cake-torta-de-galletas-de-champana-recipe/) - [Chilean Pinones in Syrup Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-pine-nuts-in-syrup-pinones-en-almibar-recipe/)