Matcha Green Tea Macarons with Pistachios

Ingredients

• 100 g shelled almonds
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 150 g powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 150 g butter
• 60 g powdered sugar
• 120 g plain cream cheese
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 4 tbsp chopped pistachios

Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat the oven to 120°C fan. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. 2.

   Grind the almonds in a mixer until very fine. Whisk the egg whites with lemon juice until foamy, then gradually fold in the powdered sugar. Continue whisking until a firm, glossy batter forms; gently fold in the almonds and matcha. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with the batter. Pipe even meringue dots onto the tray and bake for about 10 minutes, so they are crisp on the outside and still soft inside. Remove from oven, take off the tray, and let cool.

3. 3.

   For the filling, beat the butter with powdered sugar until fluffy, then gradually fold in the cream cheese and matcha. Fill a piping bag fitted with a small star tip with the mixture and cover half of the macarons on their flat side. Place a matching macaron on top, press lightly, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios before serving.