Sparkling Golden Heart Macarons
Sparkling Golden Heart Macarons
Crafting Golden Heart Macarons with Love
Introducing ‘Golden Heart Macarons’, perfect for expressing your affection on romantic occasions. These macarons feature a crispy shell with a soft interior, generously filled with tangy cream cheese frosting, and adorned with a shimmering edible gold spray. Convey your heartfelt emotions with these dazzling heart macarons. This recipe provides detailed tips to guide even beginner bakers through the process, ensuring a delightful baking experience.
Macaron Shell Ingredients- 122-130g egg whites (approx. 3-4 large eggs)
- 120g granulated sugar
- 170g almond flour, finely ground
- 170g powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 3g red food coloring
- Edible gold spray, for dusting
Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients- 125g cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 30g powdered sugar, sifted
- 85g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 125g cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 30g powdered sugar, sifted
- 85g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites with a hand mixer on the lowest speed until frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar in three additions, whipping continuously until stiff, glossy peaks form. It’s crucial to achieve firm peaks that stand upright. (Tip: Adding all the sugar at once may prevent the meringue from becoming firm.)
Step 2
Add the red food coloring to the meringue. Gently fold it in using a spatula, taking care not to deflate the meringue, until the color is uniform and resembles a beautiful ruby.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, sift the finely ground almond flour and powdered sugar together 2-3 times. Add the colored meringue in 2-3 batches and fold it in. Use the ‘macaronage’ technique by scraping the batter against the side of the bowl until it reaches a smooth, ribbon-like consistency, with no visible dry ingredients. (Tip: Overmixing can make the batter too thin, causing the macarons to spread and lose their shape.)
Step 4
Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag. Pipe heart shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Ensure an even spacing between each piped heart to prevent them from sticking together during baking.
Step 5
Allow the piped macaron shells to dry until the surface is no longer tacky when lightly touched. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on humidity. Proper drying is essential for the macarons to develop their signature ‘feet’ without cracking.
Step 6
Bake in a preheated oven at 140°C (285°F) for 14 minutes. Oven temperatures can vary, so it’s advisable to check after 12 minutes and adjust the baking time as needed. (Tip: The shells are done when they feel firm and don’t wobble when gently touched.)
Step 7
To prepare the filling, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sifted powdered sugar and mix with a whisk until well combined, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency without lumps.
Step 8
Add the softened unsalted butter to the cream cheese mixture. Whip with a hand mixer until light, fluffy, and well incorporated, creating a rich and smooth frosting.
Step 9
Transfer the cream cheese filling into a piping bag. Snip off the tip to an appropriate size for easy filling of the macaron shells.
Step 10
Pipe a generous amount of the cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cooled macaron shell.
Step 11
Place another heart-shaped macaron shell on top of the filling and gently press down to sandwich them together. Slightly twist the shells to ensure they align nicely.
Step 12
Lightly dust the finished heart macarons with edible gold spray for a dazzling, luxurious finish. Your beautiful, jewel-like heart macarons are now complete!
