Chocolate Macarons

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Flour
• 200 g ground almonds
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 4 egg whites
• 250 g very fine sugar
• 150 g dark chocolate
• 80 ml whipping cream
• 20 g butter
• cocoa powder (for dusting)

Instructions

1. 1.

   Step 1

2. 2.

   Weigh and prepare all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 120°C fan.

3. 3.

   Step 2

4. 4.

   Put the flour with the almonds and cocoa into a bowl. Mix with a spoon.

5. 5.

   Step 3

6. 6.

   Place the egg whites in a tall mixing bowl and beat stiffly with a hand mixer. Gradually pour in the sugar while continuing to beat until the meringue is glossy and firm.

7. 7.

   Step 4

8. 8.

   Gradually fold the almond‑cocoa mixture into the meringue using a spatula, lifting from the edges gently.

9. 9.

   Step 5

10. 10.

    Place a disposable squeeze bottle in a glass and roll its rim so it can be filled more easily. Spoon some batter into it and twist the opening closed.

11. 11.

    Step 6

12. 12.

    Cut off the tip of the squeeze bottle. Pipe small circles about 2 cm in diameter onto a parchment‑lined tray, leaving space as they will rise during baking. Bake for about 45 minutes, keeping a sliver of the oven door open (e.g., with a wooden spoon). Remove and cool.

13. 13.

    Step 7

14. 14.

    For the filling, chop the couverture into small pieces and melt over a double boiler. Remove from heat. Whip the cream stiffly. Stir in butter pieces with a spatula into the melted chocolate. Once cooled, fold in the whipped cream.

15. 15.

    Step 8

16. 16.

    Spread half of the macarons with the filling using a small knife or teaspoon.

17. 17.

    Step 9

18. 18.

    Place the remaining macarons on top and press lightly so the filling shows on the sides.

19. 19.

    Step 10

20. 20.

    Cover each macaron with a heart stencil, dust with cocoa, then carefully remove the stencils and serve.