INGREDIENTS
MACARON SHELLS:
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
INTRUCTIONS
MACARON SHELLS:
- Combine almond flour and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl and whisk together. Pass mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down on clumps.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites using a hand-mixer or stand-mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until soft peaks form. Add the granulated sugar and beat on high for 2 more minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Add vanilla and beat on high for another 30 seconds.
- Gently fold in dry ingredients and repeat until mixture is smooth and shiny, (with no visible dry ingredients) and begins to run a little but not too runny. Think lava consistency. Do not overfold.
- Take a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch round tip and fill with the batter.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and pipe batter into 3/4-inch round circles, 1 inch apart.
- Tap the baking sheet firmly against the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes until they form a skin.
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway, until cookies have risen and just set. The cookies should be able to just come off the baking sheet when you try to lift them.
- Let cool for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack and let cool completely.
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, cream butter until soft and smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy.
MAKE THE MACARONS:
- Transfer the buttercream filling into a piping bag with a round tip.
- Pipe a swirl of filling on half the cookies.
- Sandwich cookies together with the remaining halves.
This article and recipe adapted from this site