Cherry Almond Macaron Recipe!

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Sharing yet another macaron recipe as part of Macaron Mondays.  Today’s recipe is Cherry Almond macarons.  They are really good!

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Cherry Almond Macarons Recipe

Cherry Almond Macaron Recipe – click HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

For the macaron cookie shell recipe, I use the Laduree macaron recipe.

Materials needed:

• silicone spatula (I use this one)

• parchment paper or silat (I like this silpat made in France)

• electric mixer (your hand will get tired whipping the meringue, I use a Kitchenaid, I actually use this super professional one in cherry red, but the entry level model is a nice start too! )

• a food scale (yes, you need this. I use this one)

• a piping tip and piping bag (I like the ateco #806, I use these tips and piping bag) 

• Food coloring (the gels or dry powder works best, not the liquid store stuff)

• A macaron template (either make one or get one here or here. It makes piping easier)
• food processor (for the cream filling, I use this one)

Laduree Macarons Recipe –

275g ground almonds  

250g powdered sugar   

210g egg whites          

210g granulated sugar 

1.  Mix almond meal and the powdered sugar in a food processor. Be careful not to grind too long, otherwise it will form a paste.

2. Sift the almonds and powdered sugar. Set aside.

3. Weigh out granulated sugar.

4. Weigh the egg whites.  Beat them slowly on a low speed until foamy. SLOWLY add the granulated sugar to the egg whites as you beat.  Once all mixed, increase speed to medium and beat until a firm meringue forms.  You want a firm meringue with glossy peaks but not stiff peaks.  They should defy gravity and remain in the bowl if you turn it upside down.  If you tilt your bowl to the side and they are sliding out, keep beating.

5. Add the food coloring gel and mix.

6. Then fold in 1/3^rd of the almond/sugar mixture into the meringue with a silicone spatula.  Once combined, add another third of the almond mixture. Add last bit.  This batter requires more deflation during this step since it creates such a poofy meringue.

7. Add the batter to a piping bag.  Pipe in rows using your template onto parchment paper.

8. Pick up the pan and beat until the counter.  The cookies need to rest on the counter between 30-60 minutes.  They are ready to go in the oven when they are dry to touch (the shell shouldn’t stick to your finger)

9.  Set the oven to 300F.

10. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, one sheet at a time. They are done when they look kind of matte and seem firm when you lightly tap on them.  You can always rescue a slightly overcooked one with the maturation process that comes later, but you cannot rescue an undercooked one!!   

11. Remove from paper once completely cool. If they stick to the paper, they aren’t cool yet. Or you undercooked them.

Cherry-Almond Filling Recipe:

Makes enough for 40 small sandwiched macarons.

• 4 ounces of almond paste***
• 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into cubes, at room temperature
• 1/2 pint of cherry preserves or cherry pie filling (I used cherry preserves from Trader Joe’s)
• a pinch of salt
• cinnamon 
• nutmeg

1. In a food processor, place the contents of the cherry preserves and start to grind until the large chunks of cherries are gone.  
2. Add a little bit of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg to taste.  Add more if you want it to be spicier tasting.  Set mixture aside.
3. Now, in the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the almond paste on low speed to break it up.
4. Slowly incorporate the butter while the mixture is running.  When the butter is completely incorporated the mixture will be smooth.
5. Add the ground cherries in and a pinch of salt.  Mix until it appears well-mixed.
6. You may store this cream if it is covered and in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Assembling the cookies:

1. Add the filling to the macarons. I used a piping bag to pipe the filling in.
2. Store the filled cookies in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours for the best results.

***If you don’t have any almond paste, here’s my recipe for almond paste:

Almond paste recipe:

• 4 ounces of almonds (blanched. I used the pre-ground almonds from Trader Joe’s)
• 4 ounces powdered sugar
• 1/2 an egg white

1. Grind the almonds in a food processor.
2. Add the sugar and grind again.
3. Add the egg white and continue grinding. Keep grinding until it looks like a paste.

I adapted the cherry almond filling recipe from this wonderful book:

Les Petits Macarons: Colorful French Confections to Make at Home

I want to point out below the different between not folding the almond mixture in enough and folding it in perfectly.  Notice the first ones I piped look like ice cream cones?  They are not mixed enough.  I then remedied the problem and folded my batter a few more times in order to get my cookies to lie flat.

macaron piping

See the difference?  These ones below are now perfectly folded and therefore lie nice and flat.

The cherry preserves I used:

The finished product…

cherry almond macaron recipe

Yum yum!

Cherry Almond Macaron Recipe

For my favorite product recommendations for making such delicate cookies, check out my amazon store

 I’ve linked up with:The Scoop! at Confessions of a Plate Addict/Stone Gable, Merry Mondays at my pinterventures, , Inspire Me Tuesday at a Stroll Thru Life, Do Tell Tuesday at a Vintage Zest,  You’re Going to Love it Tuesday at Kathe with an E,  Tickle my Tastebuds Tuesday,  Creative Ways at Posed Perfection,   Wow us Wednesdays! at Savvy Southern Style, What’s it Wednesdays at Ivy & Elephants,  Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage, Sunday Best Showcase at Twigg Studios. Say G’day  Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Written  at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com
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