Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside—French macarons are the perfect treat for any occasion. These light and airy almond-based cookies are beautifully paired with a creamy mascarpone filling, making them irresistibly delicious. With a touch of food coloring, you can customize them to match any celebration!
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 36 g egg whites (room temperature)
- 10 g granulated sugar
- 75 g powdered sugar
- 45 g finely ground peeled almonds
- A few drops of food coloring (optional)
For the Filling:
- 125 g mascarpone
- 50 ml whipping cream (31% fat)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Procedure
- Prepare the almond mixture: In a bowl, mix ground almonds and powdered sugar, then sift multiple times for a fine, smooth texture.
- Whip the egg whites: Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add granulated sugar, beating until stiff and glossy peaks appear. If using food coloring, gently fold it in at this stage.
- Combine: Carefully fold the almond mixture into the beaten egg whites, stirring until the batter flows like thick lava and forms ribbons. Avoid overmixing.
- Pipe the shells: Transfer the batter into a piping bag with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto a silicone macaron mat or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space for spreading.
- Resting time: Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until a dry skin forms on top. This step is crucial for smooth shells.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 150°C, then reduce to 140°C just before baking. Bake for 25 minutes until the shells are firm.
- Cooling: Allow the macarons to cool completely before removing them from the mat.
- Prepare the filling: Whip mascarpone, whipping cream, and powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble: Spread the filling on one macaron shell and sandwich with another. Let them rest in the fridge for a few hours to enhance the flavor.
Final Tip
For the best texture and taste, let your macarons mature in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours before serving. This allows the filling to infuse into the shells, creating a more delicate bite.
Enjoy! 🥐
