Christmas Macarons

My latest sweet obsession has been macarons and since I refuse to pay $3 each at a bakery I knew I had to learn how to make them. Here is the recipes I used and I was really happy with my results I made plain vanilla which are the green ones I added the food color in to make them feel festive and I also made red velvet. 

 

For the Macarons

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• Pinch of cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tbs. coco powder (for the red velvet macarons)

Step One

Pulse confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a food processor until combined also add the coco powder if you are making the red velvet and sift threw 2 times if you don't have a sifter mix around well with a fork or whisk.

Step Two

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and whisk until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low, then add superfine sugar. Increase speed to high, and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Sift flour mixture over whites, add in your food coloring I recommend the color past and not a liquid, and fold until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Step Three

Let macarons cool on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. (If macarons stick, spray water underneath parchment on hot sheet. The steam will help release macarons.)

Fillings

This is my butter-cream recipe

• 1 stick butter 
• 3 cups powder sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• dash of salt
• 3 tbs. heavy whipping cream

Cream Cheese filling

• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powder sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sweet Macaroons

It's FINALS time !!! I always love to relax between studying with a nice bubble bath and classical piano music and read through my stack of magazines and munch of macaroons. Macaroons seem to make everything better, even finals.