Ingredients and Weight: - Almond flour: 1 cup (100g) - Powdered sugar: 1 cup (120g) - Granulated sugar: ¼ cup (50g) - Egg whites: 3 large (90g) - Salt: 1/4 tsp - Vanilla extract: 1 tsp - Food coloring (optional): 5-7 drops
Preparation Time:
1 hour
Cooking Time:
20 minutes
Difficulty Level:
3
Preparation Method Steps: 1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a food processor, grind the almond flour until it's as fine as possible. Sift the ground almond flour and powdered sugar into a bowl and whisk to combine. 3. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites and salt until frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue whisking until stiff peaks form. 4. Add the vanilla extract and food coloring (if using) and whisk until just combined. 5. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the egg whites and fold until just combined. Do not overmix. 6. Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe 1-inch circles onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. 7. Tap the baking sheets gently to release any air bubbles. 8. Let the macarons rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, or until the tops are dry to the touch. 9. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the macarons are set and the tops are matte. 10. Let the macarons cool completely on the baking sheets before removing them.
Nutritional Information: Per macaron (out of 8): Calories: 80 Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 20mg Carbohydrates: 10g Dietary Fiber: 1g Sugar: 6g Protein: 2g
Dish Characteristics: - Delicate and airy texture - Sweet and nutty flavor - Elegant presentation - Perfect for special occasions or as a gift
User Comments: - "These macarons are absolutely delicious! They have the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, and they're so light and airy." - "I made these macarons for my boyfriend's birthday and he loved them! They were so pretty and they tasted even better than they looked." - "I'm not usually a fan of macarons, but these were amazing. They're not too sweet and they have a really unique flavor."
Special Precautions and Tips: - Make sure to grind the almond flour very finely to prevent the macarons from being grainy. - Do not overmix the batter, as this will make the macarons tough. - Resting the macarons before baking is essential for getting that perfect "foot". - If you don't have a piping bag, you can spoon the batter onto the baking sheets, but make sure to shape them into circles. - Macarons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.