James Martin made a delicious gâteau mont blanc dessert using a Swiss meringue with dark chocolate and chestnuts for the festive season on Home Comforts at Christmas.

James says: “This easy yet decadent make-ahead dessert is a great alternative to traditional Christmas pudding or Bûche de Noël.”

The ingredients are: 6 free-range egg whites, 300g caster sugar, 500ml double cream, 250g sweetened chestnut purée, 1 vanilla pod, split in half and seeds scraped out using a sharp knife, 8-10 marrons glacés (available from delicatessens), chopped, 50g plain chocolate and 1 fresh chestnut, peeled, to garnish.