I interrupt my strawberry series to bring you Macarons. Hopefully you will find them equally delicious! Before I started blogging, I had never heard of a French Macaron. Then I saw them everywhere, and everyone made them look so pretty, but they had a reputation of being so technically difficult. I was scared to try them. But after I made Pistachio Ice Cream, I had egg whites like crazy. Normally I would throw away 1 or 2 if I had them, but 6 felt way too wasteful. So I had to come up with something to do with them. It felt like it was time to try Macarons.
Being that I am not French, and I am not all that fancy of a person, I had to make these my way. I picked a chocolate version with a peanut butter buttercream frosting. A truly American flavor with a delicate French dessert. I read up a lot before I made my first batch. I consulted Annie’s Eats, Tartlette’s Tutorial, and of course how could I not read Mad about Macaron’s? I think the main thing I learned is that it is humid in Iowa, even with the air conditioning on. So I should have let them sit out longer before baking. The first tray ended up in the garbage, the second tray was much better.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
Printable Recipe
For the Macarons:
110 gm almond flour
200 gm minus 2 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
100 gm egg whites (from about 3 eggs), aged at room temperature for 12-24 hours
50 gm granulated sugar
Peanut Butter Butter Cream
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tbls milk
Combine almond flour, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder until well blended (I used my food processor). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating until a smooth, shiny meringue with stiff peaks forms. Add the ground almond mixture to the bowl with the meringue and quickly but gently fold together using a wide rubber spatula until no streaks remain. You want to achieve a thick batter that ribbons or flows from the spatula when lifted.
Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a plain wide round tip. Pipe into small rounds on the prepared baking sheets (each round should be about 1-1½ inches in diameter), spaced about 1 inch apart. Let sit at room temperature for about an hour to develop a hard shell.
Preheat the oven to 300˚F. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on size. Transfer the pans to a wire cooling rack and let cool completely before moving the cookies.
While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. Stir together all the ingredients until it is the right consistency. I always just add the milk at the end to get the texture I want. Put into a piping bag, fitted with a plain tip.
Once the cookies are cool, match them up so they are paired with one that is a like size. Squeeze some frosting onto the base, and place the top on. Gently press down. They are best to eat the next day.
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Anne says
I cannot believe this is your first attempt at macarons! These are gorgeous and such a winning flavor combo! I am dying to give this a try…but I've heard the same thing about how tricky they are to make! Why don't you just send me a dozen…hmmm? Great job! : )
Anne says
I cannot believe this is your first attempt at macarons! These are gorgeous and such a winning flavor combo! I am dying to give this a try…but I've heard the same thing about how tricky they are to make! Why don't you just send me a dozen…hmmm? Great job! : )
The Harried Cook says
Gorgeous macarons! Can't believe this is the first time you're making them! I am planning to make my first batch in July, and I hope mine are half as good as yours! The flavors are great too… crowd pleasers! 🙂
The Harried Cook says
Gorgeous macarons! Can't believe this is the first time you're making them! I am planning to make my first batch in July, and I hope mine are half as good as yours! The flavors are great too… crowd pleasers! 🙂
anne says
That looks amazing !!!! My 1st macaron making attempt ? FAILED 🙁 😀 I was so happy when I saw it in the oven that it developed feet but when I took it out , it deflates 😛 😀 Good thing I just used 40 grams of almond powder tsk tsk
anne says
That looks amazing !!!! My 1st macaron making attempt ? FAILED 🙁 😀 I was so happy when I saw it in the oven that it developed feet but when I took it out , it deflates 😛 😀 Good thing I just used 40 grams of almond powder tsk tsk
Tiffany says
Hi again! Congrats on your Top 9!
Tiffany says
Hi again! Congrats on your Top 9!
Curry and Comfort says
Well you had a slam-dunk here when you put together pb and chocolate! That is my favorite flavor combo for sweets. Congrats on making Top 9 on Foodbuzz… you are on a roll and it's not just about the strawberries. : ) This looks amazing and your picture is really clever and gorgeous. Once again, Great Job! : )
Curry and Comfort says
Well you had a slam-dunk here when you put together pb and chocolate! That is my favorite flavor combo for sweets. Congrats on making Top 9 on Foodbuzz… you are on a roll and it's not just about the strawberries. : ) This looks amazing and your picture is really clever and gorgeous. Once again, Great Job! : )
Kate@Diethood says
You are taking over Top 9!! Congrats!! :)) Good job… keep it up… the macs look incredible!!
Kate@Diethood says
You are taking over Top 9!! Congrats!! :)) Good job… keep it up… the macs look incredible!!
Jill@MadAboutMacarons says
Just seen your gorgeous macarons on Top9 – bravo! They look wonderful and lovely American touch with the peanut butter and beauties in that cocktail glass. Cheers!
Jill@MadAboutMacarons says
Just seen your gorgeous macarons on Top9 – bravo! They look wonderful and lovely American touch with the peanut butter and beauties in that cocktail glass. Cheers!
Biren says
Your macarons look perfect! I have yet to attempt them. I am really taking my time as I just bought the silicone mat… 🙂
Biren says
Your macarons look perfect! I have yet to attempt them. I am really taking my time as I just bought the silicone mat… 🙂
freeeatsfood.com says
Those are some stellar macarons! Gorgeous and I know they must taste great with that peanut butter filling. Happy to have found your blog through food buzz. Consider yourself buzzed! Love those strawberry popsicles too. May have to make those with the kidlets.
freeeatsfood.com says
Those are some stellar macarons! Gorgeous and I know they must taste great with that peanut butter filling. Happy to have found your blog through food buzz. Consider yourself buzzed! Love those strawberry popsicles too. May have to make those with the kidlets.
Julie says
I still haven't tried to make macarons…they seem a bit intimidating. But these look just gorgeous 🙂
Julie says
I still haven't tried to make macarons…they seem a bit intimidating. But these look just gorgeous 🙂
Ann says
Congratulations on making FoodBuzz Top 9!
Ann says
Congratulations on making FoodBuzz Top 9!
kita says
All I can say to this is droooool.
These look awesome. I'm going to fetch myself a big glass of milk to go with these.
kita says
All I can say to this is droooool.
These look awesome. I'm going to fetch myself a big glass of milk to go with these.
BigBearswife says
I so want to try and make these! The chocolate looks great! I am kinda scared to make them tho. heard they were hard to make