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Snowman Macarons: Have ready
two baking sheets lined with
parchment paper.
To make all the Snowmen the same size, I like to make a template. On a
piece of parchment paper, draw 16 - 1 1/2 inch (3.5 cm) circles, spacing the
circles about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Then draw 16 - 1 inch (2.5 cm) circles on
top of the bottom circles. (See video for demonstration.) Place the template under your parchment
paper so you can use it as a guide.
Place the ground almonds and
confectioners sugar in your food processor and process until finely ground (about 1 minute). Sift the mixture to remove any lumps.
In the bowl of
your electric stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment (can use a hand mixer),
beat the egg whites and cream of tartar, on medium low speed, just until soft peaks
form.
Gradually add the superfine white sugar, and continue to beat, on high speed, until the
meringue holds a stiff peak
(when you slowly raise the whisk the meringue is straight up, no drooping). Then, in three
additions, fold the ground almond/sugar mixture into the meringue. When folding,
cut through the meringue and then fold up and over, making sure to scrape the
bottom and sides of the bowl. Once the almond mixture is completely folded into the meringue (the batter will
fall back into the bowl in a thick ribbon) it is time to pipe the
Macarons.
Fill a
large pastry bag, fitted with 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) (Wilton 1A) tip, with the batter. Pipe
rounds onto the parchment paper, using the template as
a guide. (See video for demonstration.) Then tap the baking sheet on the counter to break any air
bubbles (can also break air bubbles with the end of a toothpick). Let the Macarons sit at room temperature for about 30
to 60 minutes (depending on
the temperature and humidity of your kitchen) or until the tops of
the Macarons are no longer tacky.
Meanwhile,
preheat your oven to 325 degree F (165 degree C).
Bake the cookies (one sheet at a time) for about
14 - 16 minutes,
rotating the pan front to back, about halfway through baking.
The Macarons are done when you can just barely separate the cookies from the
parchment paper. (If you find
that the bottoms of the cookies brown too much, double sheet your baking pans.) Remove from oven and let the Macarons
cool completely on the baking sheet placed on a wire rack.
Chocolate Ganache:
Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof
bowl. Set aside. Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
(Can also heat the cream and butter in the microwave.) Bring just to a
boil. Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate, add the
peppermint oil, and allow to stand,
without stirring, for a few minutes. Then stir gently with a spoon or whisk until
smooth. Cover and let stand at room temperature until thick enough to pipe. Place a little of the
Ganache in a piping bag fitted with
a small plain tip (I use a Wilton #3). Pipe two "eyes" on the small round of each Snowman.
(See video for demonstration.) Put the rest of the Ganache in a piping bag fitted with
small plain tip (I use a Wilton #12). (This will be used to sandwich the Macarons
together.
Frosting: In a small bowl, mix the
confectioners sugar with enough cream so you have a thick frosting. Put about
one third of the frosting in a small bowl and add the orange food coloring.
Place in a piping bag fitted with a small plain tip (I used a Wilton #4). To the remaining
frosting add the blue food coloring. Place in a piping bag fitted with a
small plain tip (I use a Wilton #5). With the orange frosting pipe a "nose" on each Macaron.
With the blue frosting pipe a "scarf" on each Macaron. (See video for
demonstration.) Let dry completely at room temperature.
Then use the remaining Ganache to sandwich two Macarons
together. To
assemble the Macarons, take two cookies (of equal size) and pipe Ganache on the flat side of one
cookie. Top with the second cookie. While you can serve the Macarons the day they are
made, these cookies are best when allowed to 'mature' for a day or two in the
refrigerator. Can be stored for about 5 days in the refrigerator or they can be
frozen for about one month. Serve at room temperature.
Makes about 16 Snowman Macarons.
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