Traditionally made with French meringue, whipped cream, chestnut vermicelli – sweetened chestnut purée – plus a snowy finish of powdered sugar, Mont Blanc is a classic for the festive season. More so in France and Japan perhaps, but here in London, you can find the sweet-nutty dessert in the most creative of ways. Think flaky pastry instead of crisp meringue or delicate, paper-thin white chocolate around the outside, there’s even a Mont Blanc doughnut to try…
Mont Blanc: Wa Café
Flaky pastry layered with vanilla sponge, vanilla pastry cream, whipped cream, a whole candied chestnut in the centre and strands of nutty, luxuriously sweet, chestnut purée on top.
5 New Row, London WC2N 4LH or 32 Haven Green, London W5 2NX
Mont Blanc: Kova Patisserie
Shortcrust pastry with a crumbly biscuit-like sponge, fluffy whipped cream, a dab of blackcurrant jelly, chestnut vermicelli and a syrupy-sweet candied chestnut to finish.
Multiple locations
Mont Blanc: Le Deli Robuchon
French meringue with a white chocolate shell, Chantilly dots, meltingly light chestnut mousse and a filling of zingy, chunky, clementine jelly. It looks nothing like the classic Mont Blanc, but the dome of chestnut cream – featuring a dash of rum – is airy and smooth and quite simply, perfect.
82 Piccadilly, London W1J 8JA
Mont Blanc cake: Katsute 100
Buttery shortcrust pastry layered with chocolate sponge, whipped cream, strings of sweetened chestnut purée on top and pieces of roasted chestnuts scattered throughout. It’s very rich in chestnut flavour, with an extra layer of earthy, super thick, chestnut cream in the middle.
100 Islington High St, London N1 8EG or 147 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB
Mont Blanc doughnut: Longboys
Brioche dough lined with cassis compote, custardy white chocolate crémeux, strands of sweetened chestnut purée, plus mini meringue kisses and blond chocolate shards on top. All the flavours of a classic Mont Blanc – and more – in a light, pillowy-soft, sugar-dusted doughnut.
119 Lower Stable Street Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DR or Seven Dials Market, 35 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LD
Mont Blanc: The Connaught Pâtisserie
French meringue topped with ultra thick chestnut cream, smooth sauce-like blackcurrant compote, whipped cream, a delicately thin, snow-flecked white chocolate shell and finally, shards of white chocolate on top. Never classic, always incredibly detailed, this is a Mont Blanc in true Connaught style.
Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
If you want one more Mont Blanc to add to the list, Café Kitsuné will be launching theirs on Monday 29th!
