French Macarons Recipe

Bonjour, mes amis! Today, we're going to talk about one of the most delightful treats to come out of France "The Macaron". These colorful and delicious cookies have been a staple of French patisseries for centuries, and with good reason. They're not only beautiful to look at, but they're also incredibly tasty.

Now, I know what you're thinking - macarons are notoriously difficult to make. And it's true, they do require a bit of patience and precision. But fear not! With a little bit of practice and some helpful tips, anyone can make delicious French macarons at home.

Here are some tips and tricks for making perfect French macarons:

1. Measure ingredients precisely: Use a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients precisely, as even small variations can affect the final outcome.

2. Sift the dry ingredients: Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.

3. Use room temperature ingredients: Allow the eggs and any other ingredients to come to room temperature before beginning to ensure the ingredients incorporate properly.

4. Be patient with the meringue: Beat the egg whites slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed until stiff peaks form. This may take several minutes, but it's crucial for achieving the perfect texture.

5. Mix gently: When folding the dry ingredients into the meringue, use a gentle motion to avoid over-mixing and deflating the meringue.

6. Use a piping bag: Use a piping bag with a round tip to pipe the macarons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Tap the baking sheet: After piping the macarons, tap the baking sheet on a hard surface several times to release any air bubbles.

8. Let the macarons rest: Allow the macarons to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking. This helps to develop a smooth shell and a "foot" on the bottom of the macaron.

9. Be precise with baking time and temperature: Bake the macarons at the specified temperature for the recommended time, and avoid opening the oven door during baking.

10. Let the macarons cool: Once the macarons are finished baking, let them cool completely before removing them from the baking sheet and filling them with your desired filling.

11. Keep in mind the weather can affect the Macaron's outcome!

By following these tips and tricks, you can make perfect French macarons every time! 

Ingredients:

200g Almond Flour
200g Powdered sugar, sifted
3 Egg Whites, room temperature 
100g of Granulated Sugar
1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Food Coloring (gel preferably optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking trays with parchment paper. 

2. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together in a bowl. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer or hand mixer whip the egg whites. Once they start to foam add the cream of tartar and then SLOWLY add the granulated sugar.

4. You can also add food coloring at this point if you want to create different colors of macarons. 

5. Slowly add the almond powdered sugar mixture folding as you go.
6. Pour your batter into a piping bag.

 
7. Squeeze small dollops of the batter on your baking trays about 2 inches apart. 

8. Lightly tap the tray onto the counter to settle the batter.

9. Set trays aside and let sit for 30 minutes or until the batter doesn't stick to your finger when lightly touched.

10. Bake for about 15 minutes.