Shamrock Shake Macarons
A fun and festive macaron, all decked out in St. Patrick’s Day green! These minty treats will remind you of your favorite seasonal fast food treat: the Shamrock Shake!
The countdown is on for St. Patrick’s Day!
How do you like to do St. Patrick’s? When I was younger (in other words: pre-kids) I used to celebrate in a big way. But life is much different now, and I’ve found the best way to mark the occasion is with some fun Irish-inspired treats for the fam.
As far as I can tell, there are three main directions you can go with St. Paddy’s desserts: 1) a classic Irish dish, 2) something made with Guinness, Irish Whiskey, or Bailey’s, and 3) something completely, embarrassingly inauthentic and ridiculously bright green.
Today, we are going with option #3. And on Friday I will share something more #2-ish, that is so incredibly simple and delish. Maybe next year we’ll do a #1-er.
So yes. There’s certainly nothing authentic about these Shamrock Shake Macarons. They couldn’t be less Irish, really. What they are is nostalgic, colorful, and F-U-N-fun. The shells are just simple almond, tinted green and piped about an inch and a half in diameter, so they’re perfectly poppable in just a bite or two.
The filling will bring back those childhood memories of that special fast food treat that we always looked forward to at this time each year. It’s smooth, light, and creamy, with a hint of mint and a little sweet vanilla. And don’t forget the cherry on top! It wouldn’t be Shamrock Shake without it.
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Shamrock Shake Macarons
Ingredients
For the shells:
- 120 grams egg whites, (about 4 large eggs)
- 170 grams almond meal , (also called "almond flour")
- 200 grams powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon ) kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) cream of tartar
- 70 grams (70 grams ) granulated sugar
- 2 drops leaf green gel paste food coloring
For the filling & decoration:
- 2 egg whites
- 2/3 cup (133.33 g) granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup (151.33 g) unsalted butter, (1 stick plus 5 tablespoons), softened but cool
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) peppermint extract
- 30 maraschino cherries, (approx.), drained, rinsed, and blotted dry
Instructions
To make the macaron shells:
- Set the egg whites aside to come to room temperature.
- Measure the almond meal, powdered sugar, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Process the mixture finely, then sift, discarding any large bits. Set aside.
- Measure the granulated sugar in a small bowl.
- Add the cream of tartar to the whites, and mix on medium-high speed, using the whip attachment.
- When the whites hold soft peaks, start adding the granulated sugar, very slowly, while continuing to whip.
- When all the granulated sugar has been incorporated, continue to whip until stiff. Add color.
- Add the almond meal mixture to the meringue all at once, and fold together, until the batter drops from the spatula in a long ribbon.
- Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, and pipe 1 1/2-inch diameter rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Allow to dry for 45-60 minutes, or until thin, dry membrane forms on the surface.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, and bake the macarons (one sheet at a time) until set (approximately 10-15 minutes). Do not brown.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet, then carefully peel from the parchment and sandwich with filling.
To make the filling:
- Place the egg whites and sugar in a large metal mixing bowl and set over a pot of barely simmering water.
- Cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is very warm to the touch and no longer feels gritty when rubbed between the thumb and forefinger (about 5 minutes).
- Remove the bowl from the heat and whip on medium-high speed until stiff and glossy and completely cool. (There should be no hint of warmth when you place your hand on the side of the bowl.)
- Whip in the butter, a tablespoon at a time. (If the buttercream seems runny, place the entire bowl + whisk in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes, then re-whip.)
- Stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts and transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 4B tip.
- Pipe the buttercream on half the macaron shells and sandwich.
- Pipe a small amount of buttercream on the tops of the macarons, and top with a maraschino cherry.
Notes
For more info on how to make the filling, click here: Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Probably like 3 days or so. Thanks!
This looks so good! What a fun flavor to make for spring!
I made these last night, and they are not only adorable, but the vanilla mint Swiss merangue buttercream is perfect for these! Rave reviews and bakery perfect!
Hooray! So glad they worked out well for you Jen! Thanks so much for the great feedback.
What a fun idea! You are so creative!
Thanks Jessica! I had a lot of fun with these and my kids loved them 🙂
No problem in going with #3 desserts here! These look so fun and pretty at the same time! Way to go! 🙂
Hooray! So happy you like these, Malinda! Thanks dear!
We don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day other than having lots of green treats 😉 These are gorgeous and would be perfect for the big day!
Thank you so much Megan! I think I might have to make them again next week, hehe!
Allie, these are the prettiest macarons EVER!
Alice you are the sweetest! Thank you so much <3
Totally adorable Allie! Perfect St. Patty’s Day treat!
Thanks Mary Ann! Hope you’re enjoying this gorgeous weather! xo
Oh my goodness these are just so amazingly fun!! I will admit that I’ve never had a shamrock shake but I’m with Natasha – I think I’d take these over a shake any day!!
Thanks Ashley! These are a bit more glamorous than the McDonald’s version for sure, lol! So happy you like them 🙂
I would take these over a regular shamrock shake any day! They are adorable.
Thank you so much Natasha! I had a lot of fun with them 🙂
omigosh SO cute! I love that you made shamrock shakes into gorgeous macaron form. You’re totally queen of macarons. I’ve decided.
Well if you’ve decided then I guess that’s that! Lol! Thank you so much Kayle- I’m so glad you like these 🙂
These are the cutest thing ever, and I’m sure they taste great, too!
Thank you so much Bethany! We really enjoyed them 🙂
These macarons are so fun! Super creative and very pretty 🙂
Thank you Medha! We loved the colors!
How cute are these! I’ve tried time and time again to make macarons, but the end result always fall flat. These are gorgeous! Pinned 🙂
Thanks for pinning Kelly! Don’t give up on macarons! It’s so rewarding once you finally nail it. It sounds like you might be over-mixing the batter. Keep trying! Thanks so much for the sweet comment 🙂
I don’t care if these are authentic or not, they are ridiculously cute!! Love love the cherry on top. I haven’t made Macarons in forever and so am inspired now.
Yay! You make the prettiest macarons so I’m so glad to have inspired you! Thanks Zainab 🙂
These Shamrock Shake Macarons are so insanely cute – a person can’t help but smile! Beautiful, festive macs and the bright red cherry top just makes them pop even more. 🙂
Thank you Cristina! The cherry was my favorite part, hehe! 🙂
I love your breakdown of St. Patrick’s Day treats, and I’m a sucker for all items that fit in the 3rd category (bright green and completely unauthentic). These macarons are gorgeous! I just tried my first set last week, and I’m hooked (they were also bright green 😉 I love your basic macaron video tutorial. Where did you get your sifter from? It would be perfect for my kids (and me!).
Hey Aida! Thank you so much sweetie! I ordered the sifter from King Arthur Flour- and my kids love turning that crank lol! I’m so glad you’re getting into macarons- aren’t they so much fun?
These are so awesome! I’m totally in love with them!
Gee thanks Tori! 😀 😀 😀