Macarons


Recipe summary
A French meringue-based almond cookie sandwich with a filling, known for its delicate texture and signature feet.
Ingredients
- 200g icing sugar
- 190g ground almonds
- 144g egg whites (split into two batches of 72g)
- 60ml water
- 190g caster sugar
- Food colouring paste (optional)
Method
- 1
Process icing sugar and ground almonds in a food processor until very fine, like breadcrumbs.
- 2
Sift the ground almond and icing sugar mixture to remove any large crumbs.
- 3
Whisk egg whites until frothy.
- 4
Make a sugar syrup by boiling water and caster sugar to 118°C.
- 5
Pour hot sugar syrup into the whipped egg whites while whisking to create a stable Italian meringue.
- 6
Whisk until the meringue is glossy and reaches room temperature.
- 7
Fold a small amount of meringue into the almond mixture to loosen it.
- 8
Gently fold the remaining meringue into the almond mixture, scraping the sides and cutting through to maintain air.
- 9
Add food colouring paste if desired, and fold until the mixture ribbons off the spatula and holds a distinct shape.
- 10
Pipe the batter onto baking sheets using a piping bag fitted with a round nozzle.
- 11
Let the piped macarons rest until a skin forms on the surface.
- 12
Bake in a preheated oven at the appropriate temperature until feet develop and shells are set.
- 13
Allow to cool before filling with ganache or buttercream.
