Mont Blanc (dessert)

Mont Blanc

The Swiss version of Mont Blanc, called "Vermicelles"
Type	Dessert
Place of origin	France
Main ingredients	Chestnuts, whipped cream

A Mont Blanc (or Mont-Blanc aux marrons) is a dessert of puréed, sweetened chestnuts topped with whipped cream. The name comes from Mont Blanc, as it resembles a snow-capped mountain.

The Mont Blanc is popular in France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Slovakia and Hungary. It is also a very popular dessert in the northwestern regions of Romania, where it is usually prepared and sold in Autumn.

The dessert was described in an Italian cook book from 1475, and was often served in the home of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. It became popular in France in the 17th century, around 1620. Originally Mont Blancs were yellow, from using chestnuts sweetened through a pickling process.

In Japan, sometimes pumpkin, squash, and purple yam are used instead of chestnuts, and along with chestnuts, sometimes cocoa or matcha are added. There are also fruit Mont Blanc, with flavors like mango and strawberry.

French Mont Blanc with chocolate sauce

Japanese Mont Blanc atop a small cake

Japanese Strawberry Mont Blanc