Mint Macarons

These Mint Macarons are light, crisp French macarons with mint buttercream frosting. They are perfect for wedding dessert buffets and as special party treats.

Yes, I did it! I finally tackled the macaron. Well, I’m not sure that tackled is the right word since I’ve only made one batch but I successfully made Mint Macarons. My sister-in-law is getting married at the end of the month. It is a casual wedding and she asked if I would bring some desserts for the dessert and candy buffet. Even though I make desserts and sweets every week, I am not really sure what to make for the wedding. My sister-in-law isn’t picky about what desserts, but her colors are mint and bright pink. So, off to Pinterest I went to do a little research and from what I could see, macarons are THE wedding treat to have!

I’ve wanted to try making them for a long time now and the really sad thing is that I’ve never even tasted a macaron! My first hurdle was to find almond flour. Living out in the sticks, my small local grocery store doesn’t carry it and I couldn’t remember to buy it when I was in town. Finally, I checked another grocery store that is about 10 miles from my house and found it.

I’ve read blog posts about macarons from my foodie friends like Chocolate Mint Macarons from Crazy For Crust, Strawberry Colada Macarons from Taste and Tell and Blood Orange Walnut Macarons from Blahnik Baker. And more posts from blogs that I’ve never heard of. I watched video tutorials and read through comments and questions about making macarons. I even read a fictional book about a woman that opens a cafe that serves tea and macarons. I think all of that information “psyched me out”.

Nevertheless, I decided to give a try. A lot of bloggers pointed to the recipe and method from BraveTart. So, I read through several of her blog posts about the ins-and-outs of making macarons. Finally, I went ahead and followed her instructions step-by-step.

And SURPRISE… they turned out! I was so excited when I pulled the first pan out of the oven! My mint macarons are far from perfect. Many of them are more oval or even rhombus shaped. But they didn’t crack or collapse and they have feet! (Feet refers to the little foamy looking edge you can see around the bottom of the cookies.) A couple of things to note: Yes, I did use a scale to measure the ingredients and that was a first for me. I did not do anything special to the egg whites…out of the fridge into the mixing bowl. Also, I got the same results from the macarons that rested, as I did from the ones that went straight into the oven. The mint flavor comes from the mint buttercream frosting between the cookies. I would love to hear if you’ve tried making macarons and how it went for you.

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Mint Macarons

Recipe adapted slightly from BraveTart be sure to check out her very detailed instructions, plus lots of tips and warnings.

Ingredients

Macarons:

• 4 ounces almond flour
• 8 ounces powdered sugar
• 5 ounces egg whites
• 2 1/2 ounce granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Green and teal gel paste
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Mint Buttercream Frosting:

• 1/4 cup butter room temperature (softened but not melted)
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Green and teal gel paste

Instructions

Macarons:

1. Line 2 pans with parchment paper.
2. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together and set aside.
3. Mix the egg whites, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste and kosher salt on low for 3 minutes, then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes and finally on high for 3 minutes. Add the gel paste and peppermint extract, beat for one final minute. The meringue should be very stiff.
4. Add the almond and powdered sugar mixture and fold it into the meringue until it has deflated. It should look like molten lava that will hold its shape for a bit and then melt into the mixture.
5. Pipe the batter into small circles on the parchment paper.
6. Hold the pan and firmly smack it against the counter a couple of times, turn the pan and smack it again to remove the air bubbles.
7. Bake at 300 degrees for about 18 minutes or until the macarons can be easily removed from the parchment paper. If they stick or the shell comes off the but bottom sticks, bake them a little longer.
8. Cool completely on the pan and then remove to add the mint buttercream frosting.

Mint Buttercream Frosting:

1. Beat butter, shortening and vanilla until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating after each cup.
3. Beat in 1/4 cup heavy cream until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in peppermint extract and food coloring.

What do you think I should make for the wedding dessert buffet? Here are a few more ideas:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

Nutella Mousse Cups

Triple Chocolate Layer Cakes