Peppermint Pinktober Macarons Mactweets challenge #24

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
Those rosy and thoughtful ladies Jamie and Deeba over at Mactweets dedicated this months Macaron these to Pink raising awareness for Breast Cancer.
As I type this I am looking over at my referral paper for a routine mammogram lying on the table and I am reminded to make the time to get it done. So I will also remind all of you out there to put your health first. Early detection is crucial.

This month has been unbelievable hectic. I barely squeaked these in under the deadline.The result was not what I envisioned (why do those visions of macs that dance in our heads always look so much better there than on the baking sheet? ) The idea was to make macs that looked like a starlight mint fashioning the stripes into the awareness ribbons. Oh well. These did not turn out the right color -too fleshy pink and the feet are a mess and my ribbons are sloppy but they do taste pretty good. The peppermint buttercream is especially tasty.

A big thank you to the ladies of Mactweets for dedicating this month’s theme to such an important cause.

Peppermint Pinktober Macarons

For the shells:
I used the Tartelette’s basic recipe. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
Ingredients:
  • 3 egg whites – aged at least 2 days. Let them sit out on the counter uncovered.
  • 25-50 grams of fine granulated sugar
  • 200 grams of powdered sugar (minus 2 tablespoons)
  • 110 Grams of almond flour*
  • Pink food coloring
*You can buy almond flour that has been ground with or without the skin. I use the later (blanched). The former looks really nice if you are not coloring the shells. You can also grind your own almond flour by putting whole or sliced almonds in a food processor or blender. If you do, make sure you throw a little of the powdered sugar in to prevent the almonds from forming a paste.
Directions:
  • Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together or pulse them together briefly in a food processor. Make sure there are no large pieces and set aside. 
  • Whip the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, slowly add the sugar. Continue whipping until you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing slides out. (I also add a pinch each of salt and cream of tartar)
  • Add the powdered sugar/almond/rose hips mixture to the egg white mixture and fold, using quick strokes at first then slow down.  Add the food coloring and continue to fold No more than 50 strokes all together. The batter should have a “flowing like lava” consistency.
  • Fill a Pastry bag and pipe circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a Silpat.
  • Let the macarons dry for about one hour until they harden.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • I keep the oven door propped open with a dish towel or wooden spoon. Try to refrain from obsessive peeping to see if they get feet.
  • Let cool completely and then match up the shells into pairs according to size and pipe in the filling.
For the Peppermint Buttercream filling:

Ingredients:
  • 1/4 stick butter room temperature
  • 1/8 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
  • Beat the butter, milk and extract with one cup of the powdered sugar.
  • Add the remaining powdered sugar one cup at a time.
  • When everything is combined throughly, divide the frosting into two equal parts. Add pink gel food coloring to one half. Fit a pastry bag with a large star tip. Load the two colors of frosting in one at a time, the white color on one side and the pink on the other. Squeeze on the counter or on baking paper until the two colors come out together then fill the macs.
Be sure to check out the Mactweets website for some amazing pinkmacinspiration.

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10 comments

Anonymous November 10, 2011 - 7:44 am

I bet these taste absolutely gorgeous and love the idea of pink peppermint filling. Gorgeous 🙂

Reply
Deeba PAB November 8, 2011 - 4:53 pm

OMG these are gorgeous Lora…bursting with flavour and such a pretty pink. We love having you over at Mactweets, and for the PINK shout out, year after year! Thank you dear girl!! Hugs!!

Reply
Jill Colonna November 4, 2011 - 9:44 am

Lora, I love the pink peppermint macs! Fabulous. I wish I could grab one through the screen, they're too tempting…

Reply
Annapet November 2, 2011 - 2:11 am

Well thought out indeed! And thank you for the reminder to make time for a mammogram! Such a pleasure to bake with you again for MacTweets!

Reply
Anonymous November 1, 2011 - 4:50 am

Lora your macs are always so artistic and well thought out. Ai love mint of all kinds and will have to try your Peppermint Buttercream.

Reply
LadyMacaron20ten October 31, 2011 - 10:15 am

Lora, you have had so much fun this month. I love your macarons but OMG your BOOmeringues are out of this world. Brilliant!

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Faith October 31, 2011 - 1:27 am

Your macs are gorgeous and for such a great cause! Love that minty flavor too!

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Mary October 30, 2011 - 6:53 pm

These are wonderful! You really are creative. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary

Reply
angela@spinachtiger October 30, 2011 - 5:29 pm

Lora I just participated in a Race for the Cure yesterday. What a gorgeous post as always. Girl you are super talented.

Reply
Paula October 30, 2011 - 4:32 pm

They look pretty darn good to me and the sparkles add a nice touch. The peppermint buttercream sounds divine!

Reply

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