FRENCH MACARONS WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM FILLING

Crunchy, chewy outer shell with a delicious creamy white chocolate filling – there is a reason everyone loves macarons and these are super easy to make.

Ingredients 1 tsp vanilla

140g egg white 3 drops food colouring 185g fine sugar 100g white chocolate 160g almond flour 30g butter

160g powder sugar 2 tbsp cream

Separate room temperature eggs from the egg whites. Weigh the egg whites until they weigh 140g. Use an electronic mixer to whisk the egg whites until foamy then slowly add the fine sugar. Beat on high power until they are glossy and have stiff peaks.

Sift the almond flour and powder sugar then discard any lumps. Mix ⅓ of the whites into the flour to loosen the batter then fold in the rest of the egg whites until incorporated and slowly bring some of the batter up the sides of the bowl to knock some of the air out.

When the batter flows like ribbons without breaking, it’s ready to add the colouring

and vanilla. When that’s folded put into a piping bag.

Cut the top off the piping bag then pipe small circles on the parchment paper or baking mat. Tap the tray a few times to release air bubbles then let it sit for 1 hour. The skin should form on the macaron then it can be baked at 150C for 14-15 minutes.

Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl in the microwave then let cook slightly, add the cream and beat until fluffy. Pipe this on to the macaron shells then refrigerate and enjoy the following day for the best taste or, if you are like me, have one or two right then and there because they are irresistible.