Hello and happy Monday! The beginning of another week and hopefully yours is off to a great start! I have a very festive recipe for you today in the form of Confetti Macaroons! If you follow me on Instagram and my stories, then you know I had some of these on my way back from Atlanta and I was inspired to make some!
These beauties are a treat for the eyes aren’t they? I just think sprinkles just make everything look better!
On to a bit of history behind these tasty morsels:
Macaroons are a sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. Outside France, a typical macaroon is presented with a ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two such cookies, akin to a sandwich cookie.
The name is derived from the Italian word macarone, maccarone or maccherone, the meringue. The confection is characterized by a smooth squared top, a ruffled circumference—referred to as the “foot” (or “pied”)—and a flat base. It is mildly moist and easily melts in the mouth. Macaroons can be found in a wide variety of flavors that range from traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to unusual (foie gras, matcha). (source)
Macaroons have been produced in the Venetian monasteries since the 8th century A.D. During the Renaissance, French queen Catherine de’ Medici’s Italian pastry chefs made them when she brought them with her to France in 1533 upon marrying Henry II of France. Larousse Gastronomique cites the macaroon was created in 1791 in a convent near Cormery. In 1792, macaroons began to gain fame when two Carmelite nuns, seeking asylum in Nancy during the French Revolution, baked and sold the macaroon cookies in order to pay for their housing. These nuns became known as the “Macaroon Sisters”. In these early stages,macaroons were served without special flavors or fillings. (source)
Now, the macaroon’s I made are really a spin off of the original style of macaroon but sine they’ve been around for so long, I’m sure the French or Italian wont mind. It’s interesting that the origins of the cookie rests in Italy when so often we think of macaroons as being from France. You learn something new everyday!
Regardless of where they originated, I’m glad they ended up in America so we can enjoy them too!
Now, the hardest part about making macaroons, aside from having patience throughout the process, is sifting the almond flour and the powdered sugar together. It’s very important for the texture of the final cookie, for the flour and confectioners sugar to be super fine. This means less bumps and lumps which equals smooth tops for the cookies.
It is also important to tap the baking trays once you have them all piped out as this not only releases the air bubbles trapped in the batter, but it creates that “foot” or pied at the base of the cookie. Even baking is also important to get a puffed macaroon that is light and airy on the inside.
Now I live in Alabama, so making macaroons can be tricky when it gets humid here, ideally macaroons are best produced in a low humidity environment so that they set quickly and cook without becoming gummy. So if you live in a dry climate, its perfect for meringue based desserts!
I hope you enjoyed today’s little history lessons in the origins of macaroons and I hope you like this recipe! Don’t be scared to give them a try, they are easier than they look!
Have a great week!
XO,
Danielle
- 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup almond flour
- 3 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup superfine sugar
- 2 to 3 drops gel food coloring see below
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla almond or mint extract
- 1/4 Cup Butter, unsalted
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1-2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Measure the confectioners' sugar and almond flour by spooning them into measuring cups and leveling with a knife. Transfer to a bowl; whisk to combine.
- Sift the sugar-almond flour mixture, a little at a time, through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing with a rubber spatula to pass through as much as possible. It will take a while, and up to 2 tablespoons of coarse almond flour may be left; just toss it.
- Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with a mixer on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium high; gradually add the superfine sugar and beat until stiff and shiny, about 5 more minutes.
- Transfer the beaten egg whites to the bowl with the almond flour mixture. Draw a rubber spatula halfway through the mixture and fold until incorporated, giving the bowl a quarter turn with each fold.
- Add the food coloring and extract (I used Pink Food Coloring and vanilla and almond extract). Continue folding and turning, scraping down the bowl, until the batter is smooth and falls off the spatula in a thin flat ribbon, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch round tip. Holding the bag vertically and close to the baking sheet, pipe 1 inch circles (24 per sheet). Firmly tap the baking sheets twice against the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the tops are no longer sticky to the touch, 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the humidity. Slip another baking sheet under the first batch (a double baking sheet protects the cookies from the heat).
- Bake the first batch until the cookies are shiny and rise 1/8 inch to form a "foot," about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Fill cooled cookies, detailed below, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. **Recipe adapted from foodnetwork.com**
- In a small bowl, cream butter with vanilla and almond extract and a splash of heavy cream. Add up to 2 cups confectioners sugar, depending on how thick you like the filling. Pipe a small amount on one macaroon and sandwich with another. Adding a bit more on the outside of the macaroon, roll in sprinkles as desired.
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