Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a birthday, or simply treating yourself, these macarons will surely impress. Their crispy outer shell and creamy filling create a heavenly experience that is hard to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, anyone can master these macarons.
- Rich Flavor Combination: The blend of chocolate and peanut butter creates an irresistible taste.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These macarons are ideal for parties, holidays, or just because!
- Customizable: Add toppings like melted chocolate or crushed peanuts for extra flair.
- Impressive Presentation: Beautifully crafted macarons make a stunning dessert display.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start baking your delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons, gather the necessary tools. Having everything ready will streamline the process and enhance your baking experience.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Sifter
- Piping bags
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer: Essential for achieving the perfect Swiss meringue with stiff peaks.
- Sifter: Ensures smooth, lump-free dry ingredients for better texture in your macarons.
- Piping bags: Allows precise control when piping out the macaron batter.
Ingredients
These Reeses Macarons AKA chocolate peanut butter macarons with a creamy peanut butter filling are seriously what dreams are made of.
For the Macaron Shells:
- 100 grams egg whites
- 100 grams granulated sugar
- 100 grams almond flour
- 100 grams powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Swiss Meringue
- Heat a small pot of water over medium heat until it steams.
- In a mixing bowl, combine egg whites and granulated sugar. Place this bowl over the steaming pot to create a double boiler.
- Whisk continuously until the sugar melts completely, approximately 1 to 1.5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and place the bowl on your stand mixer.
Step 3: Whip the Egg Whites
- Attach the whisk attachment to your stand mixer.
- Whisk on high speed for about 2-3 minutes until stiff peaks form. You have now created Swiss meringue!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- Sift together almond flour, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
- Gently fold this mixture into your meringue using a spatula.
Step 5: Achieve Perfect Consistency
- Place the bowl back onto the stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
- Mix on medium speed for about 10 seconds.
- Check if you can make a figure-eight with the batter without it breaking; if not, mix for another 5-10 seconds until you reach that desired consistency resembling slow-moving lava.
Step 6: Pipe Your Macaron Shells
- Scoop the batter into a large pastry bag fitted with a 1-inch tip.
- Pipe silver dollar-sized circles onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1.5 inches between each one.
- Bang each baking sheet on the counter twice to remove air bubbles.
Step 7: Bake Your Macarons
- Place the trays in your preheated oven and bake for 13 minutes, turning them halfway through baking time. Allow them to cool completely before removing from baking sheets.
Step 8: Make Peanut Butter Filling
- While your macarons bake:
1. Beat together peanut butter and butter until well combined.
2. Add in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
Step 9: Assemble Your Macarons
- Once cooled:
1. Scoop the peanut butter filling into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
2. Pipe filling onto half of the macaron shells and sandwich them with another shell on top.
Optional step: Drizzle melted chocolate over finished macarons and sprinkle with chopped peanuts for added texture!
Enjoy your homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons!
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
Chocolate peanut butter macarons are not only delicious but also visually stunning. They make for a delightful treat at any gathering or celebration. Here are some creative ways to serve these decadent desserts.
Pair with Coffee
- Espresso: The rich, bold flavor of espresso complements the sweetness of the macarons perfectly.
- Cappuccino: A frothy cappuccino adds a creamy contrast that enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
Create a Dessert Platter
- Assorted Macarons: Include different flavored macarons alongside the chocolate peanut butter variety for a colorful display.
- Fresh Berries: Add strawberries or raspberries for a tart balance to the sweet macarons.
Serve with Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The smoothness of vanilla ice cream pairs wonderfully with the nutty flavors of the macarons.
- Chocolate Ice Cream: For chocolate lovers, this combination is a match made in dessert heaven.
Decorate with Garnishes
- Chopped Peanuts: Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of each macaron for added texture and crunch.
- Drizzled Chocolate: A light drizzle of melted chocolate elevates the presentation and taste.
Host a Themed Party
- Peanut Butter Lovers Theme: Center your dessert table around all things peanut butter, featuring these macarons as the star attraction.
- French-Inspired Evening: Pair these macarons with French wines and cheeses for an elegant touch.
How to Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
To achieve the best chocolate peanut butter macarons, attention to detail is essential. Here are some tips to help you master this recipe.
- Use Room Temperature Egg Whites: Allowing egg whites to reach room temperature helps them whip better, resulting in a fluffier meringue.
- Sift Ingredients Together: Sifting almond flour and powdered sugar removes lumps, ensuring a smooth batter that leads to perfect macarons.
- Pay Attention to Consistency: The batter should flow like slow-moving lava; too thick or too runny will affect the final result.
- Bang the Baking Sheets: This step releases air bubbles trapped in the batter, preventing cracks on your finished macarons.
- Cool Completely Before Filling: Ensure your macarons are completely cooled before adding filling; this helps maintain their shape and texture.
Best Side Dishes for Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
If you’re looking for side dishes that complement chocolate peanut butter macarons, consider these delightful options. They can enhance your dessert experience or serve as perfect accompaniments.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the macarons.
- Cheese Platter: Including creamy cheeses like brie can balance out the sweetness while adding a savory note.
- Chocolate Fondue: Set up a chocolate fondue station for guests to dip fruits and marshmallows alongside the macarons.
- Mini Pastries: Offer an assortment of mini pastries such as éclairs or tarts that pair well with coffee or tea.
- Nut Mix: A small bowl of mixed nuts can add crunch and complexity that complements the peanut butter flavor.
- Coffee Cake: Serve slices of moist coffee cake for a comforting side that pairs well with both tea and coffee.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Make ice cream sandwiches using cookies that mirror the flavors in your macarons, creating a fun twist.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making chocolate peanut butter macarons can be tricky, but avoiding common mistakes will help you achieve perfect results.
- Underestimate humidity: High humidity can prevent your macarons from rising properly. Always check the weather before baking and try to bake on a dry day.
- Skip the meringue test: Not checking for stiff peaks can lead to under-whipped meringue. Ensure the mixture holds stiff peaks before proceeding to the next step.
- Ignore folding technique: Over-folding can deflate your batter, while under-folding will yield a thick mixture. Aim for a consistency like slow-moving lava.
- Rush the baking process: Baking macarons requires patience. Avoid opening the oven door too soon and ensure they bake for the full 13 minutes.
- Forget about cooling: Allow the macarons to cool completely before removing them from the baking sheet. This prevents them from breaking or sticking.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store chocolate peanut butter macarons in an airtight container.
- They will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
- Place macarons in a single layer in an airtight container.
- They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
- Oven: Preheat to 300°F and warm for about 5 minutes. This helps restore texture.
- Microwave: Use a low power setting for about 10 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat.
- Stovetop: Place on a warm skillet for just a few seconds, ensuring they don’t lose their structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about chocolate peanut butter macarons that will help you master this delightful treat.
What are Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons?
Chocolate peanut butter macarons are French cookies made with almond flour, cocoa powder, and filled with creamy peanut butter filling. They are irresistibly delicious!
How do I know if my macarons are ready?
You’ll know your macarons are ready when they have formed a skin and are not sticky to touch after baking. The feet should also be perfectly formed.
Can I customize my Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons?
Absolutely! You can add different flavorings like mint extract or even experiment with various fillings like Nutella or fruit jams.
Why did my macarons crack?
Cracked shells may indicate that they were baked at too high of a temperature or that moisture was present during mixing. Make sure to follow the temperature guidelines closely.
Final Thoughts
Chocolate peanut butter macarons are not only visually stunning but also incredibly tasty. Their delightful combination of flavors makes them perfect for any occasion! Feel free to customize them with different fillings or toppings to suit your taste buds. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy creating these heavenly treats at home!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 macarons 1x
Description
Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons are a delectable fusion of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, perfect for any celebration or as a sweet indulgence. These French delicacies feature a crisp shell with a luscious filling that melts in your mouth, making them an instant hit at parties, holidays, or simply as a treat to enjoy at home. With their elegant presentation and customizable options, these macarons are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
- 100 grams egg whites
- 100 grams granulated sugar
- 100 grams almond flour
- 100 grams powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Swiss meringue by heating egg whites and granulated sugar over a double boiler until sugar dissolves. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Sift almond flour, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar together; fold gently into the meringue.
- Pipe batter into circles on prepared sheets and bake for 13 minutes.
- For the filling, beat together butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until fluffy.
- Once shells cool, pipe the filling onto half and sandwich with another shell.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron (30g)
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
