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Irresistible Cranberry and Black Pepper Macarons Recipe

cranberry and black pepper macarons - featured image

Delicate macaron shells filled with tangy cranberry filling and a hint of black pepper for a unique and festive dessert experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup almond flour, finely ground
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • Red or pink gel food coloring
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch, mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.
  2. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a large mixing bowl. Discard any large bits that don’t pass through the sieve.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until they become foamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat.
  4. Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form. The mixture should be glossy and hold its shape when you lift the whisk.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites gently, using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix! The batter should flow like lava when dropped from the spatula.
  6. Optional: Add a few drops of red or pink gel food coloring and gently mix until the color is evenly distributed.
  7. Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
  8. Pipe small circles (about 1.5 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each one.
  9. Tap the baking sheets gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  10. Let the piped shells rest for 30-60 minutes, or until a skin forms and the tops are no longer sticky to the touch.
  11. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
  12. Bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through for even baking.
  13. Allow the shells to cool completely before removing them from the parchment paper or silicone mat.
  14. Combine the cranberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the cranberries burst and the mixture begins to thicken, about 8-10 minutes.
  15. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the filling reaches a jam-like consistency.
  16. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.
  17. Pair up the macaron shells by size.
  18. Pipe a small dollop of cranberry filling onto the flat side of one shell.
  19. Sprinkle a pinch of freshly ground black pepper over the filling for an extra flavor kick.
  20. Gently press the matching shell on top to create a sandwich.

Notes

[‘Master the macaronage technique to avoid overmixing or under-mixing.’, ‘Always use room temperature eggs for better volume and stability.’, ‘Let the piped shells rest to form a skin and prevent cracking.’, ‘Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature.’, ‘Macarons can be finicky, but practice makes perfect!’]

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry macarons, black pepper macarons, holiday dessert, festive macarons, unique macaron recipe