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For this month’s Mac Attack we were asked to select a favorite book from childhood and create a macaron that fits into the story. I chose one of my five-year-old granddaughter, Ellie’s, favorite stories ~
Fancy Nancy Tea Parties because macarons are just the perfect sweet for Nancy’s tea table.
225 grams powdered sugar
125 grams almond flour (both Susan and I use Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour)
110 grams egg whites (3-4) left at room temperature for 1-2 days before using
30 grams superfine granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using a digital scale, measure the powdered sugar and almond flour. Sift the powdered sugar and almond meal with a medium sieve to remove any large or coarse bits. I pulse the sugar and almonds for a few seconds in the food processor instead.
Measure the egg whites with the digital scale and place in the bowl of an electric mixer with the whip attachment. Beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt on medium high speed until they form soft peaks. Gradually, in small additions, add the granulated sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. I beat the mixture about 3-4 minutes. When the egg whites are glossy, add food color gel and combine well.
Add about 1/3 of the almond/powdered sugar mixture to the egg whites and gently fold in. Add another third and fold, and finally add the last third. Keep folding until the mixture is well combined and falls in a slow ribbon from the spatula. Don’t overmix.
Using a pastry bag with a large round tip, pipe the mixture onto a lined cookie sheet into approximately 1-1/2 inch disks. You can draw circles on the back side of the parchment if you need a guide to follow or make a template shown here. Immediately after piping I topped each macaron with a sprinkle of finely chopped candied peanuts. They are so delicious and addictive and you can find the recipe on David Lebovitz’s blog.
After piping, tap the baking sheet on the counter to release any air bubbles, then allow the macarons to set at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before baking. You should be able to touch the top and not have it stick to your finger.
Bake for 16 minutes at 300 degrees F. That’s how long it took in my oven, yours may vary. Susan bakes her macarons for 12 minutes and then leaves them in the cooling oven, with the door open, for about 2 hours. Slide the macarons with the parchment off of the cookie sheet and allow to cool on the counter. Mine always easily come off the the paper.
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I've seen these beautiful macaroons and am eager to try them. And filling them with pb&j–my style! I'm curious as to which digital scale you purchased. My kitchen scales quit weighing sometime ago and I'm always guessing–not always (most always) not correctly.
Have a wonderful day!
Best,
Bonnie
A great combination of classic French macaron and all-American pb & j. I bet they're delicious.
I'm a big PB & J fan also and I can just imagine how wonderful these taste. You're getting so good at making macarons, Cathy. They look great!
Okay. Now you've gone and done it. Now I HAVE to make these with my grand-daughter when we visit them. YUM!!
xoxo Pattie
I love macaroons! And I've never made them — I'll have to rectify that -
Your macaroons look heavenly!
Cathy, would you believe I've never had a macaron? I see these all over blogsphere. Why haven't I tried making them??! Should I? This has me almost ready to give it a try.
Those are beautiful macarons. My nieces love Fancy Nancy. I have to get up the courage to try and make these.
Fancy Nancy is a favorite of Lily's too! And your macarons look delicious..so pretty!
Your macarons look great! Something I have not attempted – need to get a digital scale!
Love your post – perfect tea party!!
I love the Fancy Nancy books!!! Love the pink macaroons!
I'm sure Fancy Nancy would love your fancy and definitely magnifique macs! Such a fun post. Well done. I love my digital scale too.
You are becoming a Macaron expert! Fabulous!
These look really ownderful…I wil lhave to give this recipe a whirl!
my daughter adn i read fancy nancy all the time! i should make these with her for our own tea party, they're gorgeous!
such gorgeous macarons! with feet too! love the colour!
Well Cathy, I have been putting this off for months and months. I still have never made macarons. I have watched and read while so many of you tried (and often failed) with various recipes. You make these sound so easy and I do trust Susan's recipes so I am going to take the bull by the horns and try them.
Cute idea to make a pb&j filling too!
Oo la la! Mom, your macarons looks scrumptious (that's fancy for yummy)! Peanut butter and jelly is the best combination of flavors ever designed! =o) Bon appetit! (That's fancy for enjoy!)
I just LOVE your blog!!!
My sweet Caroline just ♥ ♥ ♥'s Fancy Nancy! She is such a girly-girl. LOL She would love these macaroons, too. Thanks for the link to the Mac Attack blog…new one to me.
You are inspiring me to try to make these – they're perfect. I've put it off too long.
Wow…beautiful macaroons. I would love to try one day.
I've been wanting to try macaroons and looking at how perfect yours are pictured, i am just too intimidated to try. They are so gorgeous!
They look fantastic. I could use a delicious morsel right now!
Oh my gosh, and they are gluten free, too! My youngest daughter will be thrilled. (Plus, she is learning beginning French, so I'm sure she'll love the recipe's connection to the French words!) Delightful! Oui, Oui!
Yum! These look fantastic. How cute.
They are so cute and they look delicious! My kids would really, really love these Cathy.
These really look wonderful, Cathy. I wouldn't mind one or two right now. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings..Mary
Very nice! My son is crazy for PB&J! I must make these for him! They are so cute. I would love to have a digital scale! Someday.
Mmmmmmm those sound yummmy! I can't ever pass up a macaroon in a small town bakery, but always leave them alone in a big shop.
Cathy, you're killin me. Every time I leave, you get up to something LIKE THIS! Too fabulous! I mean really now, you have to know how decadent these are. I WANT ONE. Thanks for poppin in on me. Love seeing your face. Keri
Cathy, what a wonderful and colorful macarons you have here. I haven't made it for quite sometimes. Thanks for the reminder.
Fantastic job with the macaroons. Very creative.
Cheers!
Loved your macaron coverage with the peanut butter and jelly. How fun!
Beautiful! and I love the double filling! My fav combo!
Those are beautiful! Love the pink color with the PB&J filling. Fancy Nancy would approve
I can totally see how these would be a HUGE HIT! They look amazing.
What an incredible combo!
All I can say is Magnifique! Yes, Fancy Nancy would be proud to have these perfect macs served at her fanciest tea party! I have to say that these are gorgeous macs! Just perfect with a fabulous pink color (I tried for this color and failed!) and I love the pb & j filling! They are beautiful! I am thrilled you baked macs with us at Mactweets this month and hope you join us every month!
Wow. Those are genuinely beautiful cookies, snacks, refreshments, etc. Magnifique!
What an awesome idea to fill them with PB&J! Sweet and savory. They are beautiful. Like Jamie said, magnifique!
Those look so beautiful and I love Fancy Nancy. If I could only get my boys to have a tea party with me!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's for Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Cathy, these are absolutely perfect and quite the most gorgeous feet I've seen! Wow!! David's recipe is a keeper, and I love the colour you used and the filling as well. Time for a tea party! I'd love to be there!! Thanks for joining Jamie and me for the MacTweets 'Mac Attack'!! Lovely to have you on board!
These macarons are wonderful. What fun to have a tea party with your granddaughter. I love the candied peanuts on top.