Chestnut Praline Syrup

This fragrant Chestnut Praline Syrup captures some of the most classic and beloved flavors of the holiday season. Skip the store-bought syrup and make it from scratch instead! It’s not as hard as it seems.

A glass bottle containing a reddish liquid is placed on a surface next to a bowl of brown chestnuts, scattered chestnuts, and a golden spoon. A green plant is seen in the background.

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About this Chestnut Praline Syrup recipe

The flavors of this incredible chestnut praline syrup will have you humming “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” It’s warm, cozy and has the most comforting flavor — perfect for the holiday season.

Starbucks has a delicious, nutty chestnut praline latte on their Christmas menu every year. It’s packed full of comforting holiday flavor thanks to a flavorful syrup, just like this one here! But trust me, once you try homemade syrup made with real chestnuts and pecans, you’ll never want bottled again.

This easy recipes harnesses the bold flavor of praline candy and roasted chestnuts. It’s truly like holiday magic in a bottle and you’ll be singing, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” in no time at all.

I love making homemade syrups. Pumpkin spice syrup makes for the best pumpkin spice lattes, everyone’s favorite fall drink. But chestnut praline syrup will make the most incredible latte too! You can also use it in an old-fashioned cocktail.

More coffee syrup recipes: Toffee Nut SyrupGingerbread SyrupHoney Simple SyrupSugar Cookie Syrup

Top-down view of a glass jar filled with liquid, surrounded by open chestnut shells, a few whole chestnuts, a golden spoon, and a sprig of green foliage on a white surface.

Why you’ll love this recipe

There are so many reasons to love homemade syrups like this one:

  • This homemade coffee syrup will make the best chestnut praline latte ever. Save money and skip the drive-thru — make homemade instead!
  • It’s actually incredibly easy to make your own syrup. Just follow the few simple steps and you’re good to go!
  • Combine the flavor of buttery sweet praline and nutty flavor chestnuts for the best Christmas, cozy syrup ever.

Tools & equipment

To make this syrup, you’ll need a few basic kitchen items. Make sure you have a small saucepan, as well as a spoon or spatula to stir everything while it simmers. You’ll also need a baking sheet and sharp knife for preparing the roasted chestnuts.

Store the leftover syrup in an airtight bottle or a glass jar with a lid. To make your syrup even more smooth, you’ll need a fine mesh strainer.

A close-up of multiple chestnuts with their dark reddish-brown shells scattered on a white surface.

Ingredients

Grab these ingredients to make the best sweet chestnut syrup ever:

  • chestnuts
  • chopped pecans
  • brown sugar
  • nutmeg
  • cinnamon
  • water

Instructions

Ready to make this chestnut syrup? Let’s go!

A baking sheet with several scored chestnuts, ready for roasting.

First, preheat oven to 400°F (20°C) and get out a baking sheet. Carefully, cut an X-shape into the skin of each chestnut — this prevents them from popping when heated. I recommend cutting the round side, so the flat part of the chestnut is on the bottom, keeping the chestnuts from .

Place the cut chestnuts on baking sheet, X-side-up, and roast them for 20-25 minutes, until fragrant. Let the chestnuts cool, then peel off the hard shell and discard it. They look kind of like walnuts underneath.

Chopped pecans toasting in a black pan, mingling with hints of chestnut praline syrup, the brown and tan pieces distributed evenly across the surface.
Chopped pecans in a black frying pan on a marble surface, lightly dusted with chestnut praline syrup for a touch of sweetness.

In a skillet, toast the pecans with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a pinch of the spices over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Close-up of peeled chestnuts, chopped nuts, and cinnamon in a pot, with a hint of chestnut praline syrup adding sweet warmth.
Peeled chestnuts, chopped pecans, and ground spices simmer in a pot with a swirl of chestnut praline syrup for a heavenly aroma.

Once toasted, transfer the pecans to a medium saucepan. Add the peeled chestnuts, remaining brown sugar, spices and water.

Add the remaining brown sugar, spices and water. Cook on a low simmer for 10 minutes. Strain out the nuts with a fine-mesh strainer.

Let cool completely before storing in a food-safe, airtight container, such as a mason jar, for up to 1 month.

A patterned glass bottle filled with dark liquid, accompanied by a spoon and nuts in the foreground, with greenery in the background.

Tips & tricks

With these few tips and tricks, you can ensure that your chestnut praline syrup is the best that it can be:

  • If you’d like a more smooth syrup, feel free to strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth before bottling.
  • Make sure you continue stirring this mixture so that it does not stick and burn. The sugar will be prone to sticking and scalding.
  • To make this even easier to use in your coffee and lattes, store it in a bottle that has a pump.
A glass decanter filled with a red liquid, surrounded by chestnuts, a small glass bowl of chestnuts, and a gold spoon on a white surface. Greenery is in the background.

How to use Chestnut Praline Syrup

Of course, the most common use for this syrup is in a chestnut praline latte. So mix it in with your favorite espresso and some milk for a creamy and flavorful latte. Or mix it into cold brew for an afternoon pick-me-up.

You can also drizzle this syrup over pancakes and waffles! Or add more warming flavor to your apple cinnamon oatmeal.

You can actually use this syrup in cocktails too — it would be a fun twist in a nutty Irishman drink.

It’s even delicious on top of ice cream or in an affogato. You can actually mix this into baked goods like chai muffins too. Or even simply mix it into your fresh French press coffee in the morning.

A glass bottle of brown liquid next to a glass bowl of brown nuts, a golden spoon, and green leaves on a white background.

FAQ

Is chestnut praline similar to hazelnut?

Chestnuts and hazelnuts are not the same, but they do have a similar flavor. Both have that rich and smooth nutty flavor that is delicious in coffee. But chestnuts have a more nostalgic, holiday flavor!

What is praline flavor made of?

The classic praline flavor is often made from caramelized sugar and nut, and sometimes vanilla. Most commonly used is brown sugar and pecans, though almond and chestnutes are used often too.

More syrup recipes

A glass decanter filled with a red liquid, surrounded by chestnuts, a small glass bowl of chestnuts, and a gold spoon on a white surface. Greenery is in the background.

Chestnut Praline Syrup

Yield: 12 ounces
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Make a delicious chestnut praline syrup to mix into the best creamy lattes! This easy syrup is one of the best ways to capture the flavor of the holiday season.
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ingredients

instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (20°C). Carefully, cut an X-shape into the skin of each chestnut — this prevents them from popping when heated. (I recommend cutting the round side, so the flat part of the chestnut is on the bottom, keeping the chestnuts from rolling around on the pan.)
  • Place the cut chestnuts on baking sheet, X-side-up, and roast them for 20-25 minutes, until fragrant. Let the chestnuts cool, then peel off the hard shell and discard it. They look kind of like walnuts underneath. Let chestnuts cool, then peel off the hard shell.
  • To a medium saucepan, add peeled, roasted chestnuts and pecans. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Toast over low heat, 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  • Add the remaining brown sugar, spices and water. Cook at a low simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Let cool completely. Store in a food-safe, airtight container such as a mason jar for up to 1 month.

notes

Cutting the chestnut skin prevents them from popping while in the oven. When cutting the X-shape into the skin of each chestnut, do so on the rounded part not the flat side. Then place the flat side down on the baking sheet, which keeps them from rolling. 
The X-shape also makes it easier to peel the chestnuts. The skin will begin to curl and you can easily peel back the shell with your fingers. 

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nutrition information

Yield: 12 ounces

amount per serving:

Serving: 1ounce Calories: 109kcal Carbohydrates: 24g Protein: 0.4g Fat: 2g Saturated Fat: 0.2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 6mg Potassium: 92mg Fiber: 0.2g Sugar: 18g Vitamin A: 5IU Vitamin C: 5mg Calcium: 20mg Iron: 0.3mg
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