Festive Cheese and Chestnut Biscuits – Holiday Savoury Treat

Rich, nutty, and irresistibly cheesy: these festive cheese and chestnut biscuits are the ultimate holiday savoury chestnut biscuits – buttery, crumbly, and packed with flavour from cheddar, chestnuts, and prosciutto. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or part of your holiday cheese board, they make a deliciously unique addition to any festive gathering.

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

I’m thrilled to share this elegant yet easy recipe for festive cheese and chestnut biscuits, a savoury twist on classic Christmas baking that captures the spirit of the holidays. Whether served warm from the oven or made ahead for your cheese platter, these savoury treats bring together the richness of cheese, the earthy sweetness of chestnuts, and a hint of herbs and spice.

Why You’ll Love These Holiday Savoury Chestnut Cheese Biscuits

• Festive and versatile: A perfect fit for any holiday menu – serve them as an appetizer, alongside soups, or with wine and cheese.
• Rich, nutty flavour: The combination of cheddar and chestnuts creates a deep, buttery, and slightly sweet savoury flavour.
• Easy to make ahead: These holiday savoury chestnut biscuits can be prepared in advance, then baked just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Crowd-pleasing: Their rustic yet elegant look makes them ideal for Christmas parties, holiday dinners, or edible gifts.

Cookies or Biscuits?

This recipe sits somewhere between cookies and biscuits. In North America, “biscuits” are soft, fluffy, and typically served with gravy. In Europe and elsewhere, “biscuits” often mean crisp baked goods – sweet or savoury. These festive cheese and chestnut biscuits fall into the latter category: tender, crumbly, and savoury, with a delicate, shortbread-like texture rather than a fluffy interior.

Holiday Savoury Chestnut Biscuits: Flavour and Texture Profile

These holiday savoury chestnut biscuits are buttery and rich with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The combination of nutty chestnuts, smoky paprika, and sharp cheese delivers a deep umami flavour, balanced by the herbaceous notes of rosemary. The prosciutto adds a delightful chew and saltiness, while the golden exterior gives them a light crunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

To make these holiday savoury chestnut biscuits, you will need the following ingredients:

• Butter: Provides richness and the classic crumbly biscuit texture. Use cold butter for best results.
• Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds a robust savoury depth, but Gruyère or aged Gouda will work beautifully too.
• Egg: Helps bind the dough and gives the biscuits a tender structure.
• Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base, ensuring a balanced, short texture.
• Chestnuts: Finely crumbled cooked chestnuts contribute sweetness, nuttiness, and holiday warmth.
• Prosciutto: Adds a subtle smoky and salty element that enhances the cheese and chestnuts.
• Rosemary and Italian herbs: Create a fragrant, festive profile that pairs beautifully with the rich ingredients.
• Smoked paprika and chipotle: Provide a gentle kick and a warm, smoky undertone.
• Salt: Adjust carefully — cheese and prosciutto already bring plenty of seasoning.
• Egg wash: Gives the biscuits a glossy, golden finish once baked.

Possible Additions and Variations

Although these festive holiday savoury chestnut biscuits with cheese are already delicious, there are several ways to customize this recipe:

• Cheese swaps: Try Parmesan for a sharper edge or add a touch of blue cheese for a bold twist.
• Nutty boost: Mix in finely chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
• Herb variations: Thyme or sage can replace rosemary for a different holiday flavour.
• Vegetarian version: Simply omit the prosciutto for a still-rich vegetarian savoury biscuit.
• Festive touch: Sprinkle coarse sea salt or grated cheese on top before baking for added flair.

More Holiday Ideas with Chestnuts

Looking for more fun, festive recipes with chestnuts? Be sure to check these recipes:

• Chocolate Chestnut Shortbread Cookies – A Luxurious Christmas Bake
• Festive Chestnut Mashed Potatoes: The Perfect Holiday Side
• Easy Holiday Candied Chestnuts – Quick Festive Treat
• Homemade Chestnut Jam with Brandy and Warm Spices

I’d love for you to try these holiday savoury chestnut biscuits with cheese. If you give this recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

Pin

Print

Festive Cheese and Chestnut Biscuits – Holiday Savoury Treat

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Author’s Recipes, Festive Cheese and Appetizers, Christmas Cookies, Savoury BakesCuisine: Author’s Recipes

Servings

30-40

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Festive cheese and chestnut biscuits – the perfect holiday savoury chestnut biscuits for Christmas entertaining or cheese boards.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 170 gr. butter, cut into pieces

• 300 gr. cheese, preferably cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups, lightly packed)

• 1 egg

• about 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting

• 200-250 gr. cooked and peeled chestnuts, finely crumbled

• 2-4 slices (70-80 gr.) prosciutto, finely cut

• 1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

• 1 tbsp. Italian herbs seasonings

• 2/3 to 1 tbsp. smoked paprika

• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder

• ~ 1/2 tsp. salt (bare in mind the saltiness of cheese and prosciutto)

• 1 small egg (for egg wash)

Directions

• Place the butter cut into small pieces in a bowl and microwave it for 10-15 seconds, 1 or 2 increments. It should be very soft (but not too melted.)
• Place the grated cheese, softened butter, and egg in a large bowl. Beat with a wooden spoon (spatula) until smooth, 30 second or so.
• Stir in the chestnuts, prosciutto, salt, herbs, and spices. Mix just to combine.
• Stir in the flour – add 1 cup at once and the remaining gradually (You might not need all 1/2 cup of it.)  You will get a soft, slightly sticky to a touch, and pliable dough (some crumbs would be okay).
• Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment.
• To make the egg wash, in s small bowl whisk the egg and water, 15 seconds.
• Roll the dough out (about 0,7-1 cm) and cut using a cookie cutter or simply a knife. Place the cookies onto the sheets and brush with the egg wash.
• Bake for about 10-14 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your biscuits – they should be golden brown. If desired, you can use the broiler for a minute or so to get more beautiful browning.
• Remove from the oven and let completely cool. Once cooked, they will harden up more but still remain soft and flakey. Keep them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to a week. After a couple of days they might become too soft and less flavourful, but it’s easy to fix. Just preheat the oven to ~400 degrees F, place them onto a baking sheet, and pop in the oven for 1-2 minutes them remove. Once cooled, they will be fresh and crisp again! Enjoy.