Recipes, re-invented from cooking shows

Peanut Butter Chocolate Macaron

Name: Peanut Butter Chocolate Macaron
Prep time: 2.5 hours (including resting)
Cook time: 14 minutes per batch
Total time: 3 hours

Prep. Time:

Baking Time:

Total Time:

2.5 hours (including resting)

14 minutes per batch

3 hours

Serves:

20 sandwich cookies

An elevated twist on the classic combination with a luxurious salted caramel center

Pro Tips for Success

Humidity matters: Avoid making macarons on very humid days
Weight, don't measure: Use a kitchen scale for accuracy
Age your egg whites: Leave covered at room temperature for 24-48 hours
Test your oven: Macarons are sensitive to temperature variations
The "lava test": Perfect macaronage batter flows continuously off spatula like thick lava

Flavor Variations

Espresso: Add 1 tsp instant espresso to shells
Spiced: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and pinch of cayenne to filling
Pretzel crunch: Fold crushed salted pretzels into filling

Best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE MACARON SHELLS
100g superfine almond flour (sifted twice)
175g powdered sugar
25g unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed)
75g aged egg whites (room temperature, 24-48 hours old)
50g granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of espresso powder (enhances chocolate flavor)

SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE
1/3 cup natural creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
1/4 tsp flaky sea salt
2 oz dark chocolate (70%), finely chopped

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Instructions

MACARONS:
Mise en place: Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Sift almond flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder together twice. Set aside.
Make the meringue: In a clean bowl, whip aged egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually stream in granulated sugar and whip to firm, glossy peaks. Add vanilla and espresso powder.
Macaronage technique: Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to meringue. Using a rubber spatula, fold and press mixture against bowl sides. Add remaining dry ingredients in two additions. The batter is ready when it flows like "thick lava" and forms a ribbon that disappears back into mixture within 10 seconds.
Pipe and rest: Transfer to piping bag fitted with 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe 1.5-inch circles, spacing 1 inch apart. Tap pans firmly to release air bubbles. Let rest 30-60 minutes until shells form a skin (shouldn't stick to gentle touch).
Bake: Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake one pan at a time for 14 minutes, rotating halfway through. Shells should not move when gently touched and should have developed "feet." Cool completely before removing.

FILLING:
Prepare ganache base: Melt chopped chocolate gently and let cool slightly. Beat peanut butter and butter until fluffy (3 minutes).
Combine: Mix in caramel sauce, then gradually add powdered sugar. Beat in cream and melted chocolate until smooth. Fold in sea salt, leaving some visible flakes for texture.

ASSEMBLY
Match shells: Pair similar-sized shells.
Fill: Pipe filling onto flat side of one shell, leaving 1/4-inch border. Gently sandwich with matching shell.
Mature: Refrigerate assembled macarons for 24 hours before serving. This allows flavors to meld and shells to soften slightly.