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eine Schale mit Maronensuppe dekoriert mit creme fraiche

Best Chestnut and Pear Soup – French-Inspired and Easy

This creamy chestnut soup with pear is the best chestnut soup recipe for cozy season dinners — creamy, elegant, and surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for fall, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve menus, this soup is a true showstopper that tastes just like something you’d get in a fine dining restaurant.

Course Appetizer, dinner, lunch
Cuisine French
Keyword chestnut and pear soup, chestnut soup, fall soup recipes, french soup recipes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

  • 200 g about 1 cup pre-cooked, peeled chestnuts (vacuum-packed, jar, or canned) or roast them yourself, instructions in blog post
  • 3 medium potatoes 400–450 g / about 2 ½ cups, peeled and diced
  • 1 ripe pear about 1 cup, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 1 small leek white part, sliced into rings
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 700 ml 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 –3 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 pinch cinnamon *Johann Lafer’s tip!*
  • 250 ml 1 cup cream or plant-based alternative
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional: crème fraîche fresh chives, crispy bacon bits
  • white wine or white port optional

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallot and white part of leek and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the diced pear, potatoes, and chestnuts, stirring briefly to coat them in the butter.

  2. Pour in the broth, add the bay leaf and thyme, and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Remove the herbs and carefully transfer the hot mixture to a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

  3. Pour the soup back into the pot. Stir in the cream, a pinch of nutmeg, and a pinch of cinnamon. Heat gently, but don’t let it boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve hot, topped with a spoonful of crème fraîche, fresh chives, and crispy bacon bits — ideally with a slice of fresh bread on the side.
  5. ✨ **Tip:** This creamy chestnut soup with pear tastes even better the next day. You can prepare it in advance and simply reheat before serving — perfect for a relaxed holiday menu!