Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar to ensure a smooth texture.
Making the Macaron Batter
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they become frothy.
- Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Mix in the vanilla and strawberry extracts, along with the pink food coloring if using.
- Gently fold in the almond mixture using a spatula until the batter flows like lava. Be careful not to overmix.
Piping and Baking
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Tap the baking sheet on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until a skin forms on the surface.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the macarons do not stick to the parchment paper. Let them cool completely.
Filling and Assembling
- While the shells cool, prepare your cheesecake filling. You can use a store-bought cream cheese frosting or make your own.
- Pair each macaron shell with another of similar size and fill them with the cheesecake filling.
- Finally, sprinkle some crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top for decoration.
Notes
Make sure your mixing bowls and utensils are completely clean and dry to ensure the egg whites whip up nicely. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar thoroughly to avoid lumps in the batter. Practice piping on parchment paper before piping them onto the baking sheet to get the right size and shape. Store the macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
