Dried Chestnuts

[smugbabe]

Friend of mine desperately wants me to make him a chestnut cake... he described it as not too dissimilar to a coffee and walnut cake... but Chestnuts at this time of the year are only available dried....
Any ideas how i should soften them before baking? I was wondering if i should soak them in warm sugary water or something...

[cha.crookes]

chestnuts are available peeled and cooked either in a whole or pureed form from most large supermarkets.
They are either vacuum packed in boxes or cans. I have never cooked with them but they are jolly nice straight out of the can, and the pureed form can be used to create nice puddings or sweets.
good luck and enjoy

[spudmuffa]

Difficult one this. I would go out an buy the cake. It's simple and your friend will think your'e the best cook in the world. Hope this helps. P.S. Remember to get rid of the packing.