macaron

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons by Wood and Spoon blog. Chocolate french macarons are made with cocoa powder and filled with a simple peanut butter caramel that is made on the stovetop. The end product is a yummy and fun fancy treat perfect for the fall weather and chocolate lovers. Learn more on how to make macarons on thewoodandspoon.com

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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons by Wood and Spoon blog. Chocolate french macarons are made with cocoa powder and filled with a simple peanut butter caramel that is made on the stovetop. The end product is a yummy and fun fancy treat perfect for the fall weather and chocolate lovers. Learn more on how to make macarons on thewoodandspoon.com

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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons by Wood and Spoon blog. Chocolate french macarons are made with cocoa powder and filled with a simple peanut butter caramel that is made on the stovetop. The end product is a yummy and fun fancy treat perfect for the fall weather and chocolate lovers. Learn more on how to make macarons on thewoodandspoon.com

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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons by Wood and Spoon blog. Chocolate french macarons are made with cocoa powder and filled with a simple peanut butter caramel that is made on the stovetop. The end product is a yummy and fun fancy treat perfect for the fall weather and chocolate lovers. Learn more on how to make macarons on thewoodandspoon.com

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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons by Wood and Spoon blog. Chocolate french macarons are made with cocoa powder and filled with a simple peanut butter caramel that is made on the stovetop. The end product is a yummy and fun fancy treat perfect for the fall weather and chocolate lovers. Learn more on how to make macarons on thewoodandspoon.com

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

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons

These chocolate peanut butter caramel macarons have cocoa macaron shells and are filled with a peanut butter caramel!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • 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 34 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the center position.
  7. 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.
  8. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Fit a piping bag with a round tip and squeeze 1-2 teaspoon sized dollops into the center of half of the macaron shells.
  4. 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.

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Mocha Macarons

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

I’ve always thought there was something magical about macarons. The dainty French cookies that line bakery cases like colorful little soldiers have always felt fancy, like a special treat reserved for posh ladies with tiny dogs and big sunglasses. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m delusional, or maybe my inner Francophile is getting away from itself, but either way, I absolutely adore macarons. These mocha macarons are no exception.

I went to France as a junior in college. With stars in my eyes and a mini French dictionary in my pocket, I roamed the streets in terribly uncomfortable shoes (because fashion, duh) doing my best to look like I belonged. Although I’ve heard many people say that they didn’t enjoy their time in France, I found the place to be entirely alluring: the scent of warm butter and pastry wafting out of patisserie doorways; music and the twinkling of wine glasses on cozy bistro street fronts; the elegant faces of countless humans that dripped in an air of effortless cool. The France I discovered that January won my affection immediately, and I have yet to experience a country that has met me with half as much mystery and intrigue.

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

“I didn’t meet a pastry in France that I didn’t love, but none charmed me quite like the macaron.”

Of course I was completely captivated by the cuisine. With my mother and Nana, I visited a number of cafes and restaurants. There wasn’t a creperie, boulangerie, or patisserie that I didn’t attempt to nibble my way through. I inhaled clouds of powdered sugar from shatteringly crispy croissants and licked the warm puddles of Nutella that dripped out of folded crepes and onto my fingers. We taste-tested brioche and palmiers and eclairs and caneles, each bite more sumptuous than the last.

I didn’t meet a pastry in France that I didn’t love, but none charmed me quite like the macaron. At that time, in 2008, mini food was all the rage. Tiny cupcakes, bite-sized burgers, and shot glasses of bisque were everywhere; macarons fit right into that profile. The colorful cookies with surprising flavors and creamy insides seemed to go hand in hand with the meticulous French cuisine that I was discovering, and I couldn’t wait to gobble them up.

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

Once home, I eventually garnered the bravery to attempt macarons on my own, and over the years there have been many batches of macarons, some successful and some not. More recently, after extensive help from Tessa, I was able to nail down a practice that worked best for me, and since then I’ve let my imagination go wild. Nutella raspberry macarons? Cake batter flavored? Toffee peanut? Mint truffle? The possibilities are endless.

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

Mocha Macarons

These mocha macarons capture my first time in Paris. Each cookie is petite and precise, and the flavors of espresso and rich chocolate feel like ones best enjoyed in the city of light. I’m sharing today’s recipe with help from my friends at Nestlé Toll House who are debuting the Artisan Collection- luxurious premium baking chips made with single-origin chocolate from Ghana. Deluxe treats like macarons deserve equally special ingredients, and Nestlé ‘s new chocolate fits the bill. Here’s the lowdown on these mocha macarons:

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

The macaron shells are airy cookies made with whipped egg whites, sifted almond flour, and confectioner’s sugar. I’ve added a touch of espresso powder to the dry ingredients to create a cookie shell that is lightly flavored and speckled with the granules. To double down on the coffee flavor, I added a bit of that same espresso powder to the ganache filling that was prepared using Artisan Collection Extra Semi-Sweet chocolate baking chips by Nestlé Toll House. The sweet chocolate offsets the bitterness in the espresso, and, when combined with warm cream, makes a thick ganache that is fudgy at room temperature. The cookies are simultaneously light and rich, and I found myself eating more than my fair share the first time around because they were just that tempting.

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

I highly recommend you give these mocha macarons and Artisan Collection a try for your next baking adventure. They also offer an Extra Dark variety that has 61% cacao. I tested this chocolate in shortbread cookies, and they were phenomenal. Both options can be used for these mocha macarons, and you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be sharing an additional recipe later this week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, happy baking!

Mocha Macarons by Wood and spoon. Theres are coffee espresso flavored French macaron shells filled with a rich semisweet chocolate ganache scented with coffee! Learn how to make these elegant delicate fancy cookies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood

If you like these mocha macarons you should check out:

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons

Mocha Cookies 

Hazelnut Mocha Cream Pie

Mocha Brownie Fudge Ice Cream

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Mocha Macarons

These mocha macarons feature an espresso-scented shell and an espresso ganache filling!

  • Author: Kate Wood, Adapted from Tessa Huff
  • Prep Time: 45
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 26
  • Category: cookies

Ingredients

For the macaron shells:

  • 11/2 cups (144 gm) almond flour
  • 11/3 cups (145 gm) powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons espresso granules
  • 120 gm room temperature egg whites (from about 34 large eggs)
  • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon (120 gm) sugar

For the espresso ganache:

  • 5 ounces extra semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped or in morsels (I recommend the Artisan Collection by NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE® Extra Semi-Sweet variety)
  • 1 teaspoon espresso granules
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Additional chocolate, if desired

Instructions

To prepare the macarons:

  1. 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.
  2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour, confectioner’s sugar, and espresso granules 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.
  3. 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 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 to the touch.
  6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the center position.
  7. 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.
  8. 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:

  1. Place the chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl. Warm the cream on the stove or in the microwave until just barely steaming or about to bubble.
  2. Pour the cream into the chocolate and add the espresso granules. Whisk until the chocolate is smooth and feel free to microwave in 15 second increments until the chocolate has melted.
  3. 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.
  4. Fit a piping bag with a round tip and squeeze 1-2 teaspoon sized dollops into the center of half of the macaron shells.
  5. 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. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Using a macaron stencil is helpful in making sure your macaron shells are uniform in size.
  • Instant coffee granules can be used in a pinch.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and a Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

We’re a few days shy of Mother’s Day, so I figured I’d hit you with a quick and dirty gift guide for the Mamas we love. Some of these item’s can be rush shipped to make it to your Mom in time while others will require a raincheck, but either way they’re all gifts she will LOVE. Take a peek and stick around for the strawberry shortcake macarons that we’re going to dive into after!

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

  1. Artifact Uprising Color Series Book. There’s not a Mom on planet Earth that won’t boohoo her eyes out at a well-made photo book filled with memories of her kids or grandkids. These new books from Artifiact Uprising start at a low price and come with a variety of colored covers to suit Mom’s preferences. You can even upload photos straight from social media. So simple.
  2. Personalized Tumblers. For our anniversary, I gave Brett a Yeti mug featuring a photo of my face and the words “Brett’s Favorite Mug.” The arrows pointing from the words to my face made for a laughable yet memorable gift that has actually turned out to be really useful. While my mug was made by a friend, I’ve linked above a site that will personalize a variety of tumblers for anyone.
  3. Icing on the Cake Cookbook. My sweet blog friend Tessa Huff recently published this new book. Filled with tips, how-to’s, and loads of recipes, this cookbook is a great resource for the baking moms you love. Spoiler Alert: the strawberry shortcake macarons I’m sharing today are adapted from her base recipe!
  4. Voluspa Candles. These are my favorite candles to gift. The jars and tins are beautiful and they come in a variety of delicious scents. My favorite is Baltic Amber, but peek around to find one your Mom will love!
  5. Kate Spade Recipe Box. This is maybe the cutest recipe box I’ve ever seen. How about you bake your Mom some treats from my site, print off the recipe, and stick it in her brand new recipe box? PERFECT IDEA!
  6. Follain Everything Soap. This is a great soap for just about everything. Hands, dishes, pets, kids, the works. It’s vegan, organic, and comes in a lavender lemongrass scent that is divine.
  7. Cookie Fix Cookies. If you’re from Alabama, these cookies need no introduction. These are some of the best cookies I’ve ever had, and now you can buy and ship cookie tins or frozen packs of their dough. Both are excellent and totally worth splurging on.
  8. Duraclear Glassware. Brett and I registered for scads of this Duraclear glassware when we were married. It look like glass to the naked eye but is, in fact, plastic! The glasses come in a variety of shapes and styles and they’ve even got some beautiful colored glasses that would be super fun for summer.
  9. Vrai & Oro Studs. Diamonds are a Mom’s best friend, right? I am in love with these emerald cut diamond earrings right now, and I can totally recommend this brand if you’re working with a budget for your Mom. If precious stones are a little out of reach, check out their more affordable rings, gold studs, and necklaces. I’ve had these line earrings for a few years, and I still adore them 100%.
  10. Eberjey Floral PJ Set. Can we agree that PJs are a great gift no matter what? Unless your mom sleeps in the buff (weirder things have happened) she definitely requires some nighttime clothing to cozy up to. These pajamas are super soft and come in a floral pattern that feels both young and classic all at the time same.

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

Ok, let’s talk these strawberry shortcake macarons. Aren’t they adorable? I’ve had the idea for these treats for some time now, but it took Tessa’s helpful hints in her new book to work up the nerve to make them. With her help, I was able to nail these macs on the first try. They’re delicious, incredibly special, and maybe just the thing that will make your Mom feel like a million bucks this year.

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

So what makes up these strawberry shortcake macarons? First, we have plain vanilla macaron shells, baked until crisp and domed. Inside of each macaron pair is a stable vanilla bean whipped cream, a bit of strawberry jam, and a single thin slice of strawberry. Each element plays a vital role in these strawberry shortcake macarons and are all totally worth the effort.

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

If you need more help with macarons, be sure to check out Tessa’s book. Her tips for troubleshooting were incredibly helpful and gave me the opportunity to land ones I was proud of the first time around. If you’re a little unsure about whipping egg whites, you can reference my How-To guide that I posted last month. Whatever you do, be sure to make a batch of these ASAP.

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

Happy Mother’s Day to any Mamas who may be reading this. I hope you have someone waiting to love on and celebrate you well. Happy Baking!

Strawberry Shortcake Macarons and Mother's Day gift guide by wood and spoon. These are simple homemade macarons filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and fresh fruit. These taste like a shortcake in cookie form. Gifts for mom's on your list including cookbook, jewelry, beauty and home supplies, and more. Read all about these fancy spring desserts and learn how to make them on thewoodandspoon.com

If you like these strawberry shortcake macarons you should check out:

Strawberry Shortcakes

Rhubarb Shortcakes

Roasted Strawberry and Buttermilk Popsicles

Strawberry Almond Skillet Cake

Lemon Lavender Cookies

 

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Strawberry Shortcake Macarons

These vanilla macarons are filled with a whipped cream, strawberry jam, and a thin slice of strawberry to make a strawberry shortcake macaron!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 45
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 120
  • Yield: 26
  • Category: Cookies

Ingredients

For the macaron shells (recipe from Tessa Huff):

  • 11/4 cups plus 1-1/2 tablespoons (158 gm) almond flour
  • 11/4 cups (158 gm) powdered sugar
  • 105 gm egg whites (from 3 or 4 eggs)
  • ½ cup plus 1-1/2 tablespoons (117 gm) granulated sugar

For the filling:

  • 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (180 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup strawberry jam
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries

Instructions

To prepare the macarons:

  1. 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.
  2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour and confectioner’s sugar 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.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitter with a whisk attachment (make sure both are clean and grease-free!), whisk the egg whites 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Fill the prepared piping bag with the macaron batter. Holding the bag straight down, pipe the macarons. 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 to the touch.
  6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the center position.
  7. 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.
  8. 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 the filling and finish the macarons:

  1. When ready to fill the macaron shells, combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Slowly stream in the heavy cream, scraping the bowl every so often, and then continue mixing until the mixture thickens to a stiff consistency. Place the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (I use a Wilton 12).
  2. Match each macaron shell with another shell of the same size. Pipe a small round of the cream mixture on one half of each match leaving a small 1/8” border around the shell so the cream doesn’t squish all the way out of the sides. Use a small spoon to place a bit of jam in the center of each piped circle and top with a thin 1/8” slice of strawberry. You can pipe a tiny dot or two of cream on top of the strawberry to help the macaron shell stick to the top. Place the finished macarons in the fridge to firm up prior to eating. I usually let them sit for at least 30 minutes but up to a few hours. Remove from the fridge about 20 minutes prior to enjoying!

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Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!