a recipe: hot chocolate macarons

This year, like every year in the past, money is tight tight tight. Luckily, I come from a family that doesn't expect anything from anyone and gifts are never necessary. Still, I find baked goods and treats are an easy way to show someone you care without breaking the bank. Last year, I gave out little mason jars of homemade pesto and homemade curry catsup. So adorable and SO green+red Hello! 

So while sitting on the couch the other day, my roommate told me that he was craving macarons. With nothing better to do, we dove right into making a batch. And then another batch the next night. You guys, these things are super easy to make as long as you have a little patience… and a food processor + stand mixer help, too! I had a few people asking about what recipe I used over on IG so here it is! Good luck! 

HOT CHOCOLATE MACARONS 

(Makes about 25)

4 1/2 ounces whole raw almonds

7 ounces confectioner's sugar 

3 tablespoons of Hot Chocolate Powder 

3 large egg whites 

a dash of cream of tartar

1 1/2 ounces caster sugar (i didn't have any, so i threw granulated sugar in my food processor!)

VANILLA CREAM CHEESE FILLING

1/2 a package of cream cheese

1 stick of butter softened 

2 cups powdered sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Macarons:

1. Mix together your sugar and hot chocolate powder

2. Grind the almonds in a food processor until fine.

3. Add 1/3 of the sugar+hot chocolate mixture to the almonds and grind for 30 more seconds

4. Sift together all of your dry ingredients. Dispose of any large clumps that wouldn't sift thru

5. In a stand mixer, whip egg whites + caster sugar + cream of tarter until it's fluffy and amazing

6. Fold together your wet and dry ingredients, but be sure not to overfold!
7. Fill a piping bag with your mixture (you might need help from an assistant on this step haha)

8. Pipe onto parchment paper into small circles. They will spread a little. 

9. Let the macaroons set until they are dry (about 15 minutes) 

Preheat your oven to 325 and bake for 15 minutes. Watch those puppies carefully!
Allow to cool on a wire rack while you make your filling:

For the Filling:

1. In your stand mixer, slowly beat together softened butter and cream cheese

2. While increasing speed, slowly add in your sugar 

3. Then add vanilla 

4. Fill a piping back with your icing mixture. You can throw it in the fridge if you want to stiffen it up a little bit, but mine was good coming right from the mixer. 

Pipe the filling onto to bottom of one cookie and use another cookie (find one similar in size haha!) to make a sandwich out of the two cookies!

Be warned, these babies will keep for days, but they probably won't be sitting around too long. We've made about 40-50 cookies the past 3 days and they are all gone gone gone! Good luck!