Orange Cream Macarons – A Holiday Delight
Who hasn't fallen in love with the delicacy and beauty of macarons? These little pastry jewels are not only a feast for the eyes but also for the taste buds. With a soft texture and flavorful filling, orange cream macarons are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to winter celebrations. I will show you how to make them step by step, ensuring you achieve a perfect result every time.
Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 20 macarons
Ingredients
For the macaron shells:
- 50 g almond flour – make sure it's of good quality for a fine texture
- 90 g powdered sugar – you can make it at home by grinding granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites (about 40 g) – at room temperature for a more stable meringue
- 10 g sugar – this additional sugar will help stabilize the egg whites
- 3-4 drops of lemon juice – helps strengthen the meringue
- A pinch of salt – enhances the flavor
- 4-5 drops of food coloring – optional, for a touch of color
For the orange cream:
- 150 ml orange juice (about 2 medium oranges) – use freshly squeezed juice for an intense flavor
- Grated orange zest – you can use dried or fresh zest
- 1 egg
- 75 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch – to thicken the cream
- 40 g butter cut into pieces – definitely of good quality for a smooth cream
Step by Step for the Macaron Shells
1. Sifting the ingredients: Start by sifting the almond flour and powdered sugar together. This step is crucial to avoid lumps and achieve a fine texture. Set the mixture aside.
2. Beating the egg whites: In a clean and well-degreased bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the sugar (10 g) and continue beating until stiff peaks form. It's essential for the egg whites to be well beaten to achieve a stable structure.
3. Adding flavors: Incorporate the lemon juice and a pinch of salt into the egg whites. These ingredients will help stabilize the meringue and enhance the flavor.
4. Incorporating the dry ingredients: Gradually add the almond and powdered sugar mixture to the egg whites, folding gently with a silicone spatula. Be delicate but ensure the ingredients are evenly combined until the mixture becomes smooth and shiny.
5. Forming the shells: Use a template to form circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. This step is essential to form a skin on the surface of the shells, which will help achieve a crispy texture.
6. Baking: Preheat the oven to 160 °C (including top heat). Bake the shells for 30 minutes, ensuring they do not brown too much. The shells are ready when they easily peel off the paper. If using a convection oven, the baking time may vary.
Preparing the Orange Cream
1. Extracting the juice: Squeeze the two oranges to obtain 150 ml of juice. It's important to strain the juice to remove the pulp so that the cream will be smoother.
2. Boiling the juice: Place the juice and orange zest in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, remove from heat and let it cool.
3. Mixing the ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until frothy. Add the cornstarch and mix well. Incorporate the boiled orange juice and zest into the egg mixture, then transfer everything back to the saucepan.
4. Cooking the cream: Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. When the cream becomes smooth, gradually add the butter cut into small pieces. Stir until the butter is completely melted and the cream is smooth.
5. Cooling: Cover the cream with plastic wrap and let it cool so that a crust does not form.
Assembling the Macarons
1. Filling the shells: Use a teaspoon to place the cream in the center of one macaron shell. Then, place a second shell on top without pressing too hard. The cream will spread slightly under the weight of the second shell.
2. Resting: It is recommended to let the macarons rest for 12 to 24 hours for the cream to soften the shells. This will enhance the flavor and texture!
Practical Tips
- The quality of ingredients is essential! Use fresh almond flour and quality powdered sugar for the best results.
- Check the oven temperature with an oven thermometer, as some ovens may bake hotter or cooler than indicated by the thermostat.
- Food colorings can vary in intensity. Experiment with different types to find the perfect shade for the occasion.
Variations and Serving
If you want to experiment, you can replace the orange cream with other delicious fillings, such as Nutella or melted chocolate. These variations offer a diversity of flavors and textures.
Drink Pairings
Orange cream macarons pair perfectly with herbal tea or a creamy cappuccino. Additionally, sparkling wine or prosecco would add a festive touch to your table.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 macaron):
- Calories: approximately 100 kcal
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 2 g
Macarons are a delicate and elegant choice, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. With a little patience and attention to detail, you will successfully prepare these French delicacies. Enjoy!
Who hasn't fallen in love with the delicacy and beauty of macarons? These little pastry jewels are not only a feast for the eyes but also for the taste buds. With a soft texture and flavorful filling, orange cream macarons are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to winter celebrations. I will show you how to make them step by step, ensuring you achieve a perfect result every time.
Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 20 macarons
Ingredients
For the macaron shells:
- 50 g almond flour – make sure it's of good quality for a fine texture
- 90 g powdered sugar – you can make it at home by grinding granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites (about 40 g) – at room temperature for a more stable meringue
- 10 g sugar – this additional sugar will help stabilize the egg whites
- 3-4 drops of lemon juice – helps strengthen the meringue
- A pinch of salt – enhances the flavor
- 4-5 drops of food coloring – optional, for a touch of color
For the orange cream:
- 150 ml orange juice (about 2 medium oranges) – use freshly squeezed juice for an intense flavor
- Grated orange zest – you can use dried or fresh zest
- 1 egg
- 75 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch – to thicken the cream
- 40 g butter cut into pieces – definitely of good quality for a smooth cream
Step by Step for the Macaron Shells
1. Sifting the ingredients: Start by sifting the almond flour and powdered sugar together. This step is crucial to avoid lumps and achieve a fine texture. Set the mixture aside.
2. Beating the egg whites: In a clean and well-degreased bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the sugar (10 g) and continue beating until stiff peaks form. It's essential for the egg whites to be well beaten to achieve a stable structure.
3. Adding flavors: Incorporate the lemon juice and a pinch of salt into the egg whites. These ingredients will help stabilize the meringue and enhance the flavor.
4. Incorporating the dry ingredients: Gradually add the almond and powdered sugar mixture to the egg whites, folding gently with a silicone spatula. Be delicate but ensure the ingredients are evenly combined until the mixture becomes smooth and shiny.
5. Forming the shells: Use a template to form circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. This step is essential to form a skin on the surface of the shells, which will help achieve a crispy texture.
6. Baking: Preheat the oven to 160 °C (including top heat). Bake the shells for 30 minutes, ensuring they do not brown too much. The shells are ready when they easily peel off the paper. If using a convection oven, the baking time may vary.
Preparing the Orange Cream
1. Extracting the juice: Squeeze the two oranges to obtain 150 ml of juice. It's important to strain the juice to remove the pulp so that the cream will be smoother.
2. Boiling the juice: Place the juice and orange zest in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, remove from heat and let it cool.
3. Mixing the ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until frothy. Add the cornstarch and mix well. Incorporate the boiled orange juice and zest into the egg mixture, then transfer everything back to the saucepan.
4. Cooking the cream: Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. When the cream becomes smooth, gradually add the butter cut into small pieces. Stir until the butter is completely melted and the cream is smooth.
5. Cooling: Cover the cream with plastic wrap and let it cool so that a crust does not form.
Assembling the Macarons
1. Filling the shells: Use a teaspoon to place the cream in the center of one macaron shell. Then, place a second shell on top without pressing too hard. The cream will spread slightly under the weight of the second shell.
2. Resting: It is recommended to let the macarons rest for 12 to 24 hours for the cream to soften the shells. This will enhance the flavor and texture!
Practical Tips
- The quality of ingredients is essential! Use fresh almond flour and quality powdered sugar for the best results.
- Check the oven temperature with an oven thermometer, as some ovens may bake hotter or cooler than indicated by the thermostat.
- Food colorings can vary in intensity. Experiment with different types to find the perfect shade for the occasion.
Variations and Serving
If you want to experiment, you can replace the orange cream with other delicious fillings, such as Nutella or melted chocolate. These variations offer a diversity of flavors and textures.
Drink Pairings
Orange cream macarons pair perfectly with herbal tea or a creamy cappuccino. Additionally, sparkling wine or prosecco would add a festive touch to your table.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 macaron):
- Calories: approximately 100 kcal
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 2 g
Macarons are a delicate and elegant choice, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. With a little patience and attention to detail, you will successfully prepare these French delicacies. Enjoy!