Thursday 15 December 2016

After Dinner Macarons

Chocolate mint flavour French macarons perfect for after dinner

Thinking ahead to the big day, after dinner mints are a bit a tradition aren’t they – in the UK at least. Usually these are a toothpaste like minty fondant surrounded by a thin layer of dark chocolate – or milk depending on which variety you opt for.

I decided to have a bash at making French macarons again recently and wondered what festive flavour I could concoct. I decided upon chocolate and peppermint with peppermint extract in the macarons themselves and a chocolate spread as the filling.

Chocolate mint flavour French macarons perfect for after dinner

Now, if you have read my attempts at making French macarons before, they are my nemesis and they don’t always turn out like I had hoped. This occasion was no exception and it took a couple of goes. As I am still getting used to my oven even after all these months, it took a bit of experimenting to get the right temperature and setting.

I succeeded in the end however and had lovely minty meringuey cookies which I could spread some chocolate between, giving a beautiful, delicate chocolate mint macaron cookie. I used a shop bought chocolate spread, any would do, but the darker the chocolate the more complimentary to the mint.

These really would be the perfect way to round off a meal and a great alternative to regular after dinner mints.

Chocolate mint flavour French macarons perfect for after dinner

After Eight you say? Non, Apres Huit!


After Dinner Macaron


Thumbnail UrlChocolate mint flavoured macarons
Cuisine:Petit FourCategory:MacaronYields:20-25 macaron
Prep Time:Cook Time:Total Time:









Ingredients
  • 70 grams ground almonds
  • 115 grams icing sugar
  • 2 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 50 grams granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • mint green food colouring paste
  • 50 grams chocolate spread
 
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan) and place the oven shelf to the lowest part of the oven.
  2. In a food processor, pulse together the ground almonds and icing sugar until fine.
  3. Sieve the almond/flour mix until only clumps are left.
  4. Blitz these remaining clumps again and repeat the process.
  5. In the bowl of a food mixer beat the egg whites and granulated sugar. The eggs will become thick and glossy.
  6. Add the extracts and green colouring (go easy, not too much). Stir these through
  7. Gently fold the almond mix into the egg white mix, trying to keep as much air as possible in the egg whites.
  8. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. The rounds should be just under an inch in diameter.
  9. Smack the baking tray off the worktop to get rid of any air bubbles.
  10. Let the macarons sit for at least 30 minutes until they are dry to the touch.
  11. Place into the oven and bake for 13 minutes approximately.
  12. Allow to cool completely.
  13. Pipe or spread on some chocolate filling onto the underside of one macaron and sandwich with another.

Chocolate mint flavour French macarons perfect for after dinner

3 comments:

  1. Mint is one of my very favourites, I'll certainly stick around until the end of the meal for these!

    ReplyDelete
  2. such a brilliant idea.. I do love an after-eight although I am yet to make a successful macaroon I can live vicariously through you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tricky little blighters aren't they?..... but these look like they beat the nemesis! Mint is very seasonal!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving your comments. I love your feedback and really do appreciate it.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.