Major Japanese convenience store chain “Lawson” has released an autumn-inspired cake featuring whole chestnuts. What’s more, it features a cheese soufflé base! As a devoted cheesecake enthusiast, I bought it right away to give it a try.
A Cheese Soufflé Topped with Chestnut Cream and Whole Chestnuts
The rectangular package contains two cake slices. Priced at 486 yen (tax included), it works out to 243 yen per slice.
The cake is divided into two primary tiers: the cheese soufflé base and the creamy surface toppings.
The lower tier consists of a cheese soufflé embedded with whole chestnuts, supported by a thin layer of sponge cake at the very bottom.
The upper half uses two types of cream: whipped cream and chestnut cream. The chestnut cream is piped into noodle-like ribbons in classic Mont Blanc fashion.
The item is titled “Mont Blanc Cake with Whole Chestnuts.” Despite utilizing cheese soufflé as its foundation, the word “cheese” appears nowhere in the product name. This indicates that it isn’t conceived primarily as a cheesecake garnished with chestnut cream. Rather, it is designed as a sliced-cake interpretation of a Mont Blanc that simply happens to utilize cheese soufflé for its base.
Traditional Mont Blancs typically sit atop cookie crusts, dacquoise, meringue, or tart dough, rarely ever utilizing cheese. In that sense, it stands out as a unique and unconventional Mont Blanc creation.
Tasting Impressions
The piped chestnut cream on top is moist, offering the deep, comforting sweetness of chestnuts. The whipped cream is airy and light, spreading a gentle, milky richness across the palate.
As for the soufflé base underneath: while the first bite might not immediately hit you with chestnut, you’re treated to an exceptionally smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture without a hint of dryness, where tiny air bubbles gently burst on the tongue. It offers the delicate, creamy sweetness characteristic of a well-made soufflé.
By the second bite, the chestnuts embedded inside the soufflé reveal themselves. True to the product name, decently sized whole chestnut pieces are nestled inside, allowing you to fully enjoy their pleasant texture and wholesome sweetness.
From the tender, crumbly bite of the chestnuts and the light popping of the soufflé bubbles to the airy softness of the whipped cream, the variety of textures keeps it thoroughly enjoyable right to the very end. It’s a wonderful hybrid dessert that allows you to savor the rich charms of autumn through a playful pairing of Mont Blanc and cheese soufflé.
Product Details (Price, Calories, Manufacturer)
- Store: Lawson
- Product Name: Mont Blanc Cake with Whole Chestnuts (ごろっと栗のモンブランケーキ)
- Price: 486 yen (tax included)
- Calories: 249 kcal per slice
- Manufacturer: Yamazaki Baking
