Baking some exceptionally healthy french macarons

Homemade Macaron Recipe #

Macarons are delicate and flavorful French pastries that are beloved around the world. While they can be intimidating to make, with a little patience and practice, anyone can create beautiful and delicious macarons right at home. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients: #

• 200g powdered sugar
• 100g almond flour
• 100g egg whites (about 3 large eggs), room temperature
• 50g granulated sugar
• Food coloring (optional)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. buttercream, ganache, jam, etc.)

Instructions: #

1. In a food processor or a large bowl, grind the powdered sugar and almond flour together until well combined. Sift the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
2. In a clean and dry bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until fully incorporated.
3. Fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites in three additions. It's important to not overmix, as this can cause the batter to lose its structure and become too runny. The batter should be thick and smooth, and should fall from the spatula in a ribbon-like pattern.
4. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip and pipe 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) rounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Tap the bottom of the sheet against the counter to release any air bubbles.
5. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, until they develop a skin that is no longer sticky to the touch. This allows the macarons to form a foot (the ruffled edge) during baking.
6. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake the macarons for 12-15 minutes, or until the feet are well-formed and the shells are lightly browned.
7. Let the macarons cool completely on the baking sheet before gently removing them and filling with your desired filling.
8. Once filled, place the macarons in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop and the filling to set.

Tips and Tricks: #

• Make sure to use aged egg whites, as they will produce a better structure and stabilize the macaron batter.
• Use a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients accurately. Macaron making is a delicate process, and small variations in measurements can greatly affect the final result.
• Be patient and take your time. Macarons are a bit finicky and may require a few tries to get right. Keep practicing and you'll soon be whipping up perfect macarons in no time!

Macarons may seem challenging to make, but with the right ingredients and techniques, anyone can create these delicate and delicious treats. So why not give it a try and see what kind of beautiful and tasty creations you can come up with? Happy baking!