Eggnog Macarons Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good macarons? ›

The key to a good macaron is a good meringue, with smooth, shiny, stiff peaks. You can tell it's done when you can flip the bowl upside down and nothing comes out. The peak will be stiff yet still droop slightly. Start with aged or fresh egg whites and whip them on medium for a few minutes until bubbles form.

Hollow shells: One of the most frustrating problems is when the macaron shells turn out hollow. This is usually caused by overmixing the batter, which can cause too much air to be incorporated into the mixture. To avoid this, be sure to fold the batter gently and stop as soon as it reaches the desired consistency.

Macarons are notoriously finicky. Beat your egg whites too little or too much and you're left with flat macarons. Fold in your powdered sugar and almond flour a few too many times and the tops crack. Even a rainy day (something completely out of your control) can ruin them.

Generally speaking, you'll find that ideal temperatures range from 300 °F / 149 °C to 350 °F / 177 °C and ideal cooking times range from 10 to 14 minutes for 2 in (5 cm) macarons. Other variables include ventilation, humidity, altitude, and whether or not you have an oven fan.

There's one more crucial step before you bake the shells. Let the piped circles sit out until they are dry and no longer tacky on top, usually 30-60 minutes. This time allows the top to firm up and form a skin, which helps the macarons rise UP and form their trademark ruffly “feet.”

Macaron batter should be mixed until it becomes like thick pancake batter, but not runny. The batter shouldn't plop, it should flow. When the batter begins to look glossy around the edges and sinks back into place within 20 seconds, you have reached the right consistency.

Blanched almond flour is usually preferred over unblanched flour because the skin has been removed and so it does not have the the speckles in the color. It creates a smoother batter texture and a brighter color for the macarons.

The acidic properties of cream of tartar aid in stabilizing egg whites, making them less prone to overbeating and helping to create a voluminous, airy foam. This is essential for achieving the desired lightness and structure in macarons.

Macarons are typically more expensive than other baked goods due to their labor-intensive preparation, high-quality ingredients, and delicate nature.

Room temperature is best if you plan to serve the macarons within few days. Keep in mind macarons are best at room temperature, because the texture (crunchy outside / chewy inside) is really important for best experience. If you refrigerate them for 2-3 weeks, you'll be fine too.

How long can macaron batter sit before piping? ›

Generally, a folded macaron batter can comfortably sit for at least 30 min. to one hour while you go about preparing the other colors. There are 2 issues which will cause the batter to degrade at this point: deflation and drying out.