Macaron Topped Cookies
Author: 
 
Makes approximately 48 cookies.
Ingredients
  • CHOCOLATE COOKIES:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cups unsweetened cocoa
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • MACARON TOPPING:
  • 210 grams (2½ cups) almond flour (use the lightest, finest flour you can find)
  • 380 grams (3½ cups) powdered sugar
  • 200 grams (6 whites) egg whites, room temperature or - better yet - aged *
  • pinch of cream of tartar
  • 90 grams (1/2 cup) superfine sugar
  • food coloring - gel or powdered only
  • Shaved chocolate, sprinkles, food colors or petal dust, royal icing (if desired for decorating.)
Instructions
  1. Cream together the butter and sugar.
  2. Add the vanilla, milk, and egg, and beat well.
  3. Add the dry ingredients (slow down there, Tiger...the cocoa will fly everywhere! Beat it on low until it's incorporated) and mix together well.
  4. If you're making this ahead, wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and chill for up to 3 days. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for at least an hour before rolling.
  5. Roll dough out (preferably between lightly floured pieces of parchment) very thin - between ⅛" and ¼". Cut with 3" egg-shaped cookie cutter.
  6. Place approximately 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Set aside while making macaron topping. (If you don't have enough sheets, arrange cookies on parchment and then slide the parchment onto a cooled sheet.)
  7. MACARON TOPPING:
  8. Weigh or measure the almond flour and powdered sugar. Sift together twice, discarding any large bits that won't go through your sifter, and set aside.
  9. In a large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Sprinkle a pinch of cream of tartar over the top and beat until soft peaks form.
  10. While beating, slowly add the superfine sugar. Continue to beat until meringue forms stiff peaks. If you are making just one color, add it now.
  11. Add the dry ingredients and carefully fold in, just until incorporated.
  12. (If you are dividing the topping to make several colors, do so now, before it is "lava" like or it will be over mixed by the time you blend in the coloring. Fold each color until thin enough to flow from your spoon slowly.)
  13. If you are making just one color, continue to fold until mixture will flow slowly from your spoon or spatula. It won't look smooth - it has almonds in it - but shouldn't be "gloppy". Drop a spoonful on a plate and tap the plate against the counter. The batter should smooth out. If there is still a peak on the top, stir a few more times.
  14. This is important: *The more you stir, the thinner it will get (not good), so don't over-stir!*
  15. Spoon into a large pastry bag equipped with a large round tip.
  16. Squeeze bag to pipe around each cookie shape, staying a little inside of the edge. Fill in the middle. If you get too close to the edge, run your finger along it to even it out.
  17. Drop the pan several times onto the counter to flatten out any tip left from piping and remove air bubbles. Pop any air bubbles that come to the surface with a toothpick right away.
  18. Let the pans of cookies sit and dry for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 F.
  19. If you are using shaved chocolate or sprinkles to decorate your cookies, do so just before they go in the oven.
  20. Bake cookies 12-14 minutes, or until macarons are firm but not turning dark. Touch the edge of one - if it moves, give it another minute and check again.
  21. Cool cookies on wire racks.
  22. To paint cookies, thin gel or powdered coloring with a little vodka and let your artistic side take over!
Recipe by The Rowdy Baker at http://www.therowdybaker.com/?p=4555