macaron

Ingredients170g icing sugar


160g ground almonds

120ml egg whites from about 4 medium eggs, separated into 2 equal batches

160g granulated sugar

½ tsp red food colouring (see tip)



FOR THE FILLING120g double cream

110g dark chocolate , finely chopped

25g unsalted butter , room temperature

75g raspberry jam


Prep 35 mins





Cook 14 mins

1.Place the icing sugar and ground almonds in the bowl of a food processor and pulse about 15 times until fully combined. Sieve this mixture into a large bowl, discarding any particles that stay in the sieve. Add the first batch of egg whites to the almond mixture, mix to form a thick paste and set aside.

2.Tip the second batch of egg whites into a spotlessly clean, heatproof bowl and have an electric whisk at the ready. Place 50ml water and the granulated sugar into a small saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the syrup registers 110C, using a sugar thermometer, at which time start to beat the egg whites on high speed. Once the syrup is at 118C pour it slowly down the side of the mixer bowl, avoiding the moving whisk. Continue to whisk on high until the mixture has cooled slightly and you have a shiny peaked meringue mixture - the bowl should no longer be hot to the touch, but still warm. Add the colouring and whisk to combine.

3.Tip the meringue onto the almond mixture and gently fold together. It is important not to over-mix the batter - it should fall in a thick ribbon from the spatula (A). The ribbon should also fade back into the batter within about 30 secs - if it doesn't, fold a few more times.

4.Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3-4. Line 3 baking sheets with baking parchment. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle. Pipe rounds about 2.5cm in diameter onto the prepared baking sheets (B). Leave to rest for 30 mins out of the fridge, or until the macaroons have developed a skin.

5.Bake the macaroons for 14 mins (this needs to be precise so you could test a macaroon first). Immediately slide the parchment onto the work surface and cool for a few minutes before gently peeling the macaroons off the paper.

6.To make the filling, place the cream in a small saucepan and the chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the cream just to the boil and pour over the chocolate. Leave to stand for a few mins, then stir to combine. Add the butter and stir until smooth, then leave to set until thickened. Place the chocolate mix into a clean piping bag with a smaller nozzle and pipe around the edge of half the macaroons (C). Fill the centre with jam and sandwich with another macaroon shell.



MINT CHOCOLATE MACAROONS

Use 1 tsp green colouring instead of red to make the macaroons. For the filling, make a double amount and add 1 tsp peppermint extract when adding the cream. Pipe or spoon onto half the macaroon shells and sandwich with another shell.

TIP

For best results, use water-based liquid food colouring and avoid any that are oil-based gels as they will change the texture of the macaroons. Most supermarket food colourings are water based, but check the ingredients before using to make sure. Once finished, the macaroons actually improve with an overnight rest in the fridge.

BLUEBERRY & CREAM MACAROONS

Use 1 tsp violet food colouring instead of red to make the macaroons. For the filling, whip 100ml double cream to stiff peaks and spoon or pipe onto half the macaroon shells, top with a couple of blueberries and sandwich with a second macaroon shell.

PER MACAROON