Description
French macarons with raspberry jam filling and dark chocolate ganache in the shape of raspberries.
Ingredients
Scale
FOR THE SHELLS:
- 110 grams Blanched Slivered Almonds (or almond meal)
- 200 grams Powdered Sugar
- 90 grams Egg Whites (at room temperature)
- 30 grams Granulated Sugar
- Pink & Purple Food Coloring Gel or Powder
FOR THE ROYAL ICING:
- Β½ cup Sifted Powdered Sugar
- 2–4 teaspoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Light Corn Syrup
FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING:
- 8 ounces Chopped Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate
- ΒΎ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Raspberry Extract
Instructions
FOR THE SHELLS:
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats (double up sheets if needed).
- Process almonds and powdered sugar in a food processor until blended into a fine powder. Sift mixture into a large mixing bowl & set aside.
- Combine egg whites & granulated sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip egg whites & sugar until stiff peaks, adding a few drops of the food coloring during about the last minute of beating the egg whites to make a dark pink color (I used mostly pink, with a dab of purple). My perfect time for beating the egg whites is 2 minutes on speed 4, then 2 minutes on speed 6, & then another 2 minutes on speed 8 – they should stay put if you hold the bowl upside-down.
- Add the dry mixture into the egg whites.
- Using a spatula, smash dry ingredients into the egg white, flattening mixture (use about 5-10 quick strokes to release the air). Then fold mixture onto itself until it becomes shiny again (another 30-40 strokes). When you lift up the spatula, there should be solid, thick ribbons that run off (this whole macaronage process should take no more than about 50 strokes).
- Transfer the batter to a large piping bag (I like to use a #12 round icing tip, but it’s optional).
- Using circle guides or freehand, pipe about 1ΒΌ” circles onto the prepared baking sheets (they will spread), keeping them at least 1-2″ apart to allow for spreading. (If making a donut shape, trace around the circles, but don’t fill them in). Do this same method for the second baking sheet.
- Holding each end of the baking sheet, give it a good slam on the counter. Rotate the pan & give it another few slams to release any air bubbles that remain. Let the macs sit out for 30 minutes before baking to form a dry shell on the tops to prevent cracking.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Bake each sheet, one at a time, for about 16 minutes (depending on size), rotating the pan once halfway through. Once they’re ready, carefully test one by attempting to lift it off the baking sheet (keeping the pan in the oven). If the top half starts to come off from the feet, it could use a few more minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and slide parchment paper (with the cookies) onto the counter, allowing the cookies to completely cool before removing them from the paper. Once they are room temperature, match up macarons in pairs that are about the same size, one face down & one up.
FOR THE ROYAL ICING:
- In a small bowl (I use a 2-cup measuring cup with a pouring spout) combine the powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons milk and light corn syrup. Mix well until combined and smooth. If the mixture is too thick, just add more milk, about a Β½ teaspoon at a time. It should be a smooth, pourable consistency, but not too runny and thin (a little thicker than a molasses or syrup).
- Transfer icing to a squeeze tube (or just freehand it with a spoon). Squeeze out a small amount of the icing to the top of HALF of the shells, concentrating on the highest point to resemble a glazed donut. Top each glazed shell with a few sprinkles. Allow them to dry for about 2 hours before stacking them.
FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING:
- Place chocolate pieces in a heatproof bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, carefully bring cream to a simmer/ light boil. Remove cream from heat and pour over the chocolate. Allow it to sit for about 2-3 minutes. Whisk the mixture in small circles to combine until fully melted and mixed well. Add butter and continue whisking. Stir in extract and mix to combine.
- Let ganache stand at room temperature, mixing every so often, until it thickens enough for you to pipe (Or speed up this process by placing it in the refrigerator).
- Once ganache is thickened up, transfer mixture into a piping bag, fitted with a decorating tip. Pipe a few teaspoons of the ganache onto the cookie that’s facing up. Sandwich the halves together, pushing the filling to the edges.
Notes
If using parchment paper (as opposed to a silicone mat) using small magnets help keep the paper flat, just be sure to remove before baking.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (or freeze them for up to one month), allow them to come to room temperature before eating.
The shells only can also be frozen before adding any filling; allow them to come to room temperature before filling.
Macarons are best eaten 24-48 hours after assembly.
Macarons are best eaten 24-48 hours after assembly.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 81kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 84mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 31mg
Keywords: Donut Macarons, donut, macarons, snacks, desssert