Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons
Happy Wednesday, friends! We just got back from an incredible vacation to the West Coast, complete with killer food, delicious wine, and a few friends to share it with. When we planned this trip this time last year, I had no idea what 2020 had in store for us, and I have to say, I couldn’t be more grateful that we got to get away. I’m planning to share a few photos and tidbits from our time in wine country, but for now, I get to dive into these chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons with you! They’re adorable and delicious, the perfect little bite-sized treat to attempt as we head into fall.
Do you guys make macarons? I’ve long been pretty intimidated by them, but after I learned how to make strawberry shortcake macarons, the whole process has been so much easier. If you’re new to macarons, I highly recommend doing your research and thoroughly reading through the instructions before you get started. They’re pretty delicate, and you’ll be best prepared for great results if you know what to expect on the front end.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Macarons
These chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons feature cocoa powder macaron shells and a thick peanut butter caramel filling. Yes, peanut butter caramel is a thing, and yes, it’s amazing. Homemade caramel sauce or a thick, store-bought variety melts down and stirred together with creamy peanut butter. Once cooled, the filling sets up between two macaron shells. Later, we drizzle them with additional chocolate and chopped roasted peanuts. The end result is a fancy little treat perfect for the peanut butter lovers in your life.
If you are new to making your own caramel, you can check out my how-to post here! Otherwise, don’t hesitate to purchase a simple jarred variety from the store. Just stay away from caramel ice cream toppings or thin drizzles; they won’t be thick enough to hang in there for these macarons.
If you find yourself wanting a fun baking project as we head into the fall, I hope you’ll give these chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons a try! Check out some of my other favorite chocolate peanut butter treats below and let me know what you think! Happy hump day and happy baking!
If you like these chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons you should try:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Babka
Peanut Butter Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
No-Churn Peanut Butter Caramel Ice Cream
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake
Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons
These chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons have cocoa macaron shells and are filled with a peanut butter caramel!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 180
- Yield: 25
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
For the macaron shells:
- 150 gm almond flour
- 158 gm powdered sugar
- 15 gm cocoa powder
- 115 gm room temperature egg whites (from about 3–4 large eggs)
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ cup plus 1-1/2 tablespoons (120 gm) sugar
For the peanut butter caramel:
- ½ cup prepared thick caramel sauce
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- Additional chocolate, if desired
- Chopped roasted peanuts, if desired
Instructions
To prepare the macarons:
- Line two of three baking sheets with parchment paper templates or silicone baking mats set over the templates and fit a large piping bag with a plain round tip.
- In a food processor, combine the almond flour, confectioner’s sugar, and cocoa powder and process the mixture for 1-2 minutes, stopping once to scrape down the bowl, until the almond flour is finely ground. Sift the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Discard any large chunks left in the sieve or grind again until fine.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitter with a whisk attachment (make sure both are clean and grease-free!), whisk the room temperature egg whites and cream of tartar on low speed until they begin to foam, form small tight bubbles, and turn opaque. Over the course of a couple of minutes, very gradually increase the speed to medium while slowly adding the granulated sugar. Mix on medium-high until stiff peaks form.
- Using a flexible rubber spatula, scrape the meringue off the whisk attachment into the bowl with the almond mixture. Begin folding the meringue and almond mixture together, five to ten folds. Scrape in the meringue from the mixer bowl and continue to fold the mixture until incorporated, rotating the bowl as your go. Every so often, gently deflate the meringue by smearing the batter around the side of the bowl. Stop folding once the correct consistency is achieved: the batter should flow very slowly like lava.
- Fill the prepared piping bag with the macaron batter. Holding the bag straight down, pipe the macarons. I prefer to use a stencil to ensure the macarons are the same size. Once one baking sheet is full, tap the bottom of the sheet a few times in each corner with the palm of your hang. Set aside and repeat with the remaining prepared baking sheet(s). Set the piped macaron shells aside to rest for 20 to 40 minutes, until a skin forms over the shells and the tops feel dry and not tacky to the touch.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the center position.
- Bake the macaron shells once sheet at a time for 12 to 14 minutes, until the tops feel secured to the feet but wiggle very slightly when nudged.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let the macaron shells cool on the baking sheets for at least 5 minutes. Repeat to bake and cool the remaining shells.
To prepare and use the filling:
- Gently warm the caramel sauce just enough so that is thick, spreadable, and viscous, about the consistency of peanut butter. Stir in the peanut butter until combined.
- Allow the mixture to set up slightly, either on the counter or in the fridge while stirring often, until it is a slightly thickened fudgy consistency that will move through a piping bag.
- Fit a piping bag with a round tip and squeeze 1-2 teaspoon sized dollops into the center of half of the macaron shells.
- Top with an additional macaron shell and allow to set up. In the meantime, feel free to gently warm and melt a small about (about 1/3 cup) of chocolate and drizzle or piping decorative stripes on top of the sandwich cookies. Sprinkle on finely chopped peanuts and place in the fridge to set up. Enjoy!
Notes
- Using a macaron stencil is helpful in making sure your macaron shells are uniform in size.
