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!