Looking for new cookie recipes for your Christmas cookie exchange or holiday dinner party? We asked our estate baker, Cristina Valencia, to share one of her favorite cookie recipes this week, and she selected French Macaroons. In this video, you’ll find tips and techniques for baking these delicate cookies, which aren’t as difficult to make as one might think. The key is finding the right recipe and following each step Cristina shares–from sifting techniques and preparing your ingredients in advance to whipping the perfect macaroon texture to piping precise cookie shapes onto baking sheets. Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Living.
Recipe: French Macaroon Cookies
Summary: These delectable cookies in soft, sherbet-toned hues make a beautiful addition to any holiday dessert ensemble. Create an endless array of flavors and colors by simply adding different fillings and colorings. Recipe adapted from a Martha Stewart Living favorite.
Ingredients ~
For the cookie:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 2 egg whites, room temperature
- Pinch cream of tartar
- 1/4 cup superfine sugar
- Food coloring
- Flavored extract
For basic meringue filling:
- 6 egg whites, large
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions ~
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. The key to this recipe is in the preparation – have all ingredients measured and ready before you begin. Separate the eggs whites and keep at room temperature until ready to incorporate.
- In a food processor, pulse powdered sugar and almond flour. Sift combined mixture 2 times. Whip the room-temperature egg whites on high with a mixer until foamy and then add cream of tartar. Slowly stream in superfine sugar and whip until stiff and shiny, about 2 minutes on high.
- Gently fold in desired food coloring and/or flavor extract, sugar and flour mixture into egg white mixture. Fold the ingredients as little as possible until it is smooth, shiny and slightly runny. If it holds its form, it is under mixed. Scoop into piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
- Pipe onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, holding the piping bag in one place while applying pressure. Release pressure when a 1” cookie has been formed and gently swirl the tip out of the mixture without forming a peak. This will allow the cookie to remain smooth on top. Let stand at room temperature 30-40 minutes.
- Bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 5-10 minutes, until cookies are firm and crisp. Be sure to keep a close eye on the cookies – they should not brown on top. Remove cookies from oven and cool.
- For a basic meringue filling, place egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, whip on high speed until mixture is cool and stiff peaks form, approximately 6 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract. Use immediately.
- Sandwich 2 same-size macaroons with 1 teaspoon meringue, flavored buttercream or other desired filing. Serve immediately, or stack between layers of parchment, wrap well in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Preparation time: 1 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 12 (makes 36 cookies)
