Chestnuts! adorable chestnut cream with crunchy maringue biscuit and wipped cream… a combination that will rock your world! 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.