Hazelnut Macarons with Chocolate Frangelico Ganache
The time has almost come my friends. You know- when it gets so hot in NYC that my un-airconditioned kitchen becomes unbearable and I complain about it constantly? (Ok- maybe I should try to do that less this year!) Anyway- though some people were bummed that it was unseasonably cold Memorial Day weekend, I actually loved it. Nothing is more cozy to me than turning on the oven to bake when its cold and dreary, even if it’s supposed to be summer out.
I thought a gloomy day would be the perfect chance to try my hand at a new variation on my favorite Macaron recipe, since you really can’t make them when it’s humid and warm. I’ve never made macs with a nut other than almonds and I was so excited to add some hazelnuts to the mix.
I was so surprised to take the first bite as these really tasted like hazelnuts! (I never get a strong almondy flavor from regular macarons.) Even though the shells were half almond flour as well- the strong hazelnut taste really came through which was the perfect pairing with the chocolate-Frangelico ganache. Are you familiar with Frangelico? It’s an Italian hazelnut liqueur which I usually enjoy in my after-dinner coffee. In this case, I mixed some into the creamy ganache which added a little punch and enough hazelnut flavor to match the shells.
This is probably my favorite flavor combo of any macaron I’ve made! The ganache wasn’t too sweet at all, but still perfectly rich and creamy. I blanched my hazelnuts which gave the macs a smooth even color and finish (though specks of brown from hazelnut skin would have been fine too!)
By the time the weather mellows out enough for me to make another batch of these, I hopefully will have come up with another flavor combo to compete with this one- it will be hard to beat!!
Disclaimer- this post is sponsored by Frangelico- all opinions are 100% my own.
Hazelnut Macarons with Chocolate Frangelico Ganache
Ingredients
- 150 grams almond meal, or ground blanched almonds sifted.
- 150 grams ground blanched hazelnuts, sifted
- 300 grams powdered sugar- sifted
- 110 grams egg whites
- 300 grams white sugar
- 75 grams water
- 110 grams egg whites
For the ganache:
- 8 oz high quality milk or dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted almond meal, hazelnut meal, and powdered sugar- breaking up any lumps or large bits.
- Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour 110 grams of egg whites in. Fold them in gently until the mixture is well combined, thick and paste-like.
- Meanwhile- place the other 110 g of egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Leave it be while you make the sugar syrup.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and stir together until dissolved. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. When the syrup reaches 225 degrees F- turn the stand mixer on high and start whisking the eggs. You want them to be at soft peak stage, so as soon as they are, turn the speed to low. The egg whites can wait for the syrup- but once the syrup is ready- it cannot wait.
- When the syrup hits 239 degrees- carefully pour it into the side of the bowl while the mixer is running. You don't want the syrup to run down the bowl- or it will cool- so aim to pour it right at the spot where the egg whites meet the side of the bowl.
- Whip on high for about a minute- and then reduce speed to low and continue beating until the bowl has cooled slightly, and glossy stiff peaks have formed.
- Add 1/2 of the meringue to the almond mixture, and gently fold it in until combined and smooth. Gradually add the rest of the meringue until batter is smooth and it ribbons off the spoon.
- Fill piping bags with a round tip and preheat oven to 300F.
- Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. If your oven has a strong fan- you may want to pipe dots of batter onto the corners to stick the parchment down. OR- you can weigh it down with butter knives along the edges.
- Pipe small rounds with the bag perpendicular to the baking sheet. You'll need to develop a rhythm that works for you so that your macs are similar in size. I like to count out loud- "1, 2, 3- release."
- Let the piped macs sit out until a trace of a shell is formed- 20-30 minutes will do- maybe less. This helps keep their shape while baking.
- Bake for about 12 minutes. To test if done- open the oven and wiggle the top of a shell back and forth. If it's super "wiggly" they need more time. Perfect macs will be just a little wiggly- but overall firm.
- When done, remove parchment from the sheet and let cool for 5 minutes on the counter top. Gently peel parchment paper off and cool completely before filling.
- Macarons taste best when "ripened" in the fridge for 24-48 hours, and can last in the fridge for up to a week.
For the ganache:
- Place the chopped chocolate in a large, heat-safe bowl. Warn the cream in a sauce pan until bubbly, and stir in the Frangelico. Pour cream mixture over the chocolate, and stir gently until the chocolate has melted and the ganache is smooth and shiny.
- As the ganache cools it will become thick and perfectly pipeable for your macarons!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
These look spectacular Audra! Macarons are a perfectly acceptable breakfast, right? ;-)
I LOVE hazelnut anything! Your macs look perfect. I dread the summer heat too, and I definitely feel for you and your ac-less kitchen!
Your macarons are perfect!! I’ve made a million batches (ok, maybe 5) in the past few weeks and they’re so hit or miss for me. I need lessons :) Love the flavor combo!
How funny we ended up posting about both macarons on the same day! I still have leftovers in the fridge. These are my fave (can’t get enough of that chocolate frangelico filling!) while Ulys likes the strawberry ones so it’s a perfect split :)
That is too funny! Your pictures turned out absolutely beautifully- thank you so much for letting me use your awesome photography setup for a day!!
Ooooh I love hazelnuts! I bet these wuld be awesome with a nutella/chocolate hazelnut butter filling, too!
I just made my THIRD attempt at macarons over the weekend and, again, no success! Admittedly, I didn’t use your instructions (I used Annie’s Eats) so it’s my own dang fault! I’m so determined to get macs as pretty as yours!
I have GOT to try your method, Audra! These are flawless!
This sounds like a fabulous flavor combination. I love hazelnuts and chocolate, and the orange sounds like the perfect thing to change it up. Your macarons look beautiful!
I just bought some frangelico this past week. I will have to try this filling out.
These are so beautiful! And that does sound like the perfect flavor combo! Now can you come to Vancouver to help me with macs? ;)
These are gorgeous, Audra! And, I <3 Frangelico!
I love your flavour combinations! I have attempted to make macarons more times than I care to admit – and failed miserably. Every time.I’m excited to try these beauties. 13 times lucky, right?
These are gorgeous! What a good idea to pair them with Frangelico! These sound soooo good. I totally agree with you, I love staying inside and being cozy when it’s cold outside.
These are so gorgeous! I haven’t made macarons in ages, but I think I need to try out this version. Yum!
It has been hot around here the past few days! I want to make another batch of macs before the summer humidity rolls in, maybe this week will be okay? I’ve got to try making macs with hazelnut meal, sounds amazing!
These look like they’re from a Parisian bakery!
Your macarons look PERFECT! That class in Paris really paid off :)
Summer baking is the reason I bought a toaster oven.
It works well, most of the time.
Love love Frangelico chocolate macarons!
Your photos are absolutely artistic. Beautifully done!
Such gorgeous photos! I love these flavors!
Oh my goodness! Your macarons are so perfect. It’s been a whole since I’ve made them and mine have never looked this good. I love the flavors too. I’ve also never used hazelnuts. I definitely want to make these!
Beautiful! Can’t wait to try making these!
These are perfect for using up some hazelnuts that I have hanging around the kitchen! Definitely my favorite mac flavor I’ve seen in a long time!
I have yet to try baking macarons… but these have me really thinking I need to asap! I love the flavor combo. And I hear ya on the un-airconditioned kitchen – it’s the worst!!!
These are so beautiful! I really need to try my hand at macarons.
The flavor combo sounds heavenly! The cream white of the macaron and the deel dark of the ganache looks so beautiful!
I love all things hazelnut, including hazelnut macarons with ganache! I’ve made hazelnut truffles with Frangelico…need to try it in macarons. These look and sound delicious!
i have a son that is allergic to almonds, but not hazelnuts. you think it is possible to make these without almond meal?
This recipe is great! and your website is so cute! love it
Hi! I read that the ganache is great for piping, but I noticed in your pictures that have a spoon placed in the ganache. Did you find that one way to fill the macs was easier over the other?? Thank you!
I’m a newbie to macarons (ok, about a year of trial and error). I’ve tried different several methods and this method gives me consistent results EVERY. TIME. This will be my go to method when I get my tiny dessert business up and running. I shan’t go back to any other method and I’m going to try different nut flours to see what happens. Wish me luck!!
So glad it works for you! :)