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Three chocolate macarons in paper wrappers in a blue dish.
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5 / 2 votes

Chocolate Macarons

Chocolate macarons can be yours in hours. They're light and airy and made with dark chocolate, both in the cookie and the rich ganache filling. No fancy French patisserie required. Here's how to make them.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time2 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Servings: 48 servings
Calories: 55

Ingredients

For the cookies

  • 1/2 cup blanched whole almonds
  • 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 large egg whites
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

For the filling

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the cookies

  • Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Pulse the almonds with 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the cocoa powder and the remaining 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar and pulse until well blended.
  • Beat the egg whites with the salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl just until the whites form soft peaks when the beaters are lifted. Add the granulated sugar and beat just until the whites form stiff peaks when the beaters are lifted. With a whisk or a rubber spatula, gently fold in the almond mixture.
  • Scoop the batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Pipe out 1-inch-diameter mounds about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 6 to 8 minutes, until the tops are cracked and appear dry but the macarons are still slightly soft to the touch.
  • Move the cookies, still on the parchment paper, to barely dampened kitchen towels and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully peel the paper off the macarons and place on wire racks to cool completely. (The macarons can be made 1 day in advance and stored in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container.)

Make the filling

  • Bring the cream just to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder. Add the chocolate and butter and whisk until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate covered, for at least 30 minutes, or until the filling is firm enough to hold its shape when spread.

Assemble the macarons

  • If desired, scoop the filling to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Pipe the filling, or spread it with a table knife, generously on the flat side of half of the macarons. Top with the remaining macarons, flat side down, pressing together gently to form sandwiches. (The macarons can be stored in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.)

Notes

But Seriously, What's So Special About Macarons?

These ethereally airy macarons turn decadent beyond imagination when slathered with a sinful ganache-meets-buttercream situation. Natch, the lovely little chocolate macarons are also quite nice—and still quite the indulgence—when nibbled in their simplest form, free of filling and, as a consequence, free of flour or dairy. They’re either sent from heaven above or from Paris abroad. Wait, is there a difference?

Nutrition

Serving: 1macaron | Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g