Macarons (French Macaroons)

Makes about 60-65 macarons or about 30-32 sandwiched cookies

1 1/3 cups blanched, sliced almonds

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

4 large egg whites, room temperature

Food coloring as desired

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1. Cover two large sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine the almonds and confectioners’ sugar together and process until the almonds are finely ground. Scrape down the sides and around the bottom of the processor occasionally, using a rubber spatula.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer using the whip attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until very foamy. Add a few drops of food coloring as desired. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating until the whites form stiff peaks.
4. Transfer the egg whites to a large mixing bowl and pour the ground almonds over them. Using a rubber spatula, blend the mixture together. The mixture will be very stiff.
5. Using a pastry bag fitted with a ½ inch diameter plain round tip, pipe about 1-1 ½ inch diameter rounds onto the prepared sheet pans, spacing about 1 inch apart. Allow the macaron rounds to dry for about one hour.
6. Preheat oven to 300° F. Bake one sheet of macarons at a time placing them on the center oven rack.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the macarons are set, puffed and only slightly cracked on the tops and sides. They should not move from side to side nor should they look moist when you try to lift one off the parchment paper. If they appear moist, return them to the oven.
8. Cool completely. Gently remove from parchment paper and place onto a clean wax paper lined sheet pan.

Ganache Filling

½ cup heavy cream

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Remove from the heat, and add the chocolate chips. Using a whisk, mix gently until chocolate is melted.
2. Allow ganache to cool and thicken at room temperature about 1-2 hours. You can also put the ganache over a bowl of ice water to thicken it more quickly. It should be thick enough to spread.
3. Sandwich two macarons together bottom sides together using about ½-1 teaspoon of ganache.
4. Place sandwiched macarons onto the waxed paper lined sheet pan and chill for 1-2 hours or until the ganache has set.

Note

Jams can also be used as a filling such as raspberry or apricot in place of the ganache.

Variation

Mexican Hot Chocolate Macarons – add 3 tablespoons cocoa powder and ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the almonds and sugar in the food processor.

Tips for Success

1. Be sure the almonds and sugar are finely ground almost to a powder.
2. Beat the egg whites to firm peaks. A stiffer macaroon batter spreads less in the oven.
3. Allow the macarons to dry out for about an hour before baking to prevent cracking.
4. Macarons can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or frozen in an airtight container separating each layer of macarons between sheets of waxed paper. Freeze for up to 3 months.