Rosé & Raspberry Macaron
Picture this: it's a beautiful summer day, the sun is shining, and you're celebrating a special occasion with your loved ones. You reach for a delicate macaron with a pink, almost fuschia shell, and take a bite. The sweet and tangy flavor of raspberries explodes on your tongue, followed by the subtle but luxurious taste of rosé wine. As you chew, the crispy shell gives way to a soft and chewy interior, creating a delightful contrast of textures. The sensation is both indulgent and refreshing, like a burst of summer in your mouth.
A Bit About Macarons:
Ohhhhhhh macarons (pronounced ma-ka-hon), one of my favourite treats! There's nothing like treating yourself to a box of Laduree macarons and pretend you're on holiday in Paris!
Macarons are a French delicacy that have been enjoyed for centuries. These small, round, colorful cookies are known for their delicate texture and sweet, slightly nutty flavor. They are sandwiched together with a filling, such as buttercream or jam. Macarons come in a wide variety of flavors, from classic vanilla to more exotic options like matcha or lavender. They've gained popularity in recent years as a trendy dessert option, appearing in bakeries and cafes around the world.
Rosé For Any Celebratory Occasion
These rosé and raspberry macarons are the perfect treat for any celebratory occasion, or just a beautiful day in the park. They're a delightful twist on the classic French macaron, combining the sweet and fruity taste of raspberries with the sophisticated flavor of rosé wine.
The flavor profile of raspberries and rosé wine in these macarons is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and sophisticated. The raspberry filling adds a fruity and slightly tangy flavor that is complemented by the subtle, yet complex notes of rosé wine.
Raspberries are known for their sweet and slightly tart taste, which adds a refreshing burst of flavor to the macarons. Their natural sweetness is balanced by the acidity that gives them their characteristic tanginess. This combination of sweet and tangy flavors adds a playful element to the macarons, making them perfect for a celebratory occasion.
The rosé wine in the filling provides a more complex and sophisticated flavor profile. Rosé wine is typically a blend of red and white grapes, which gives it a delicate and fruity taste. It often has notes of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon, which pair perfectly with the raspberry filling in the macarons. The wine also adds a subtle depth of flavor, making the macarons feel more indulgent and refined.
Together, the sweet and tangy raspberries and the subtle yet sophisticated rosé wine create a flavor profile that is both refreshing and luxurious. The blush-pink color of the macaron shells adds a touch of elegance to any celebration, while the soft and chewy texture of the filling creates a truly indulgent experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a sweet treat with a glass of wine, these raspberry and rosé wine macarons are sure to please.
A little background on macarons..
Historically, macarons have been around for several centuries, with some historians tracing their origins back to medieval Italy. However, it was not until the 16th century that they first became popular in France, when Catherine de Medici brought her pastry chefs with her to Paris when she married King Henry II. From there, macarons gradually gained popularity and became a staple of French cuisine.
Culturally, macarons have become a symbol of elegance and sophistication, and are often associated with luxury and indulgence. They are commonly served at special occasions such as weddings and high-end events, and are often given as gifts or souvenirs to visitors to France.
In recent years, macarons have become a global phenomenon, with pastry shops and bakeries around the world offering their own variations of the classic French dessert. Despite their popularity, however, macarons remain deeply rooted in French culture and are an enduring symbol of the country's culinary heritage.
Yes, macarons are hard to make.
In fact, we spent at least a few years trying to make them before getting there, and then another 5 years trying to perfect the texture and flavours (so you don't have to!). From the consistency, temperature and humidity, macarons are notoriously temperamental. Here are a few tips to help you increase your chance of success!
- Measure ingredients carefully: Macarons are very sensitive to the ratio of ingredients, so it's important to measure everything carefully. Use a kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients in grams, rather than measuring cups.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients, including the egg whites, almond flour, and sugar, are at room temperature before you begin. This will help them incorporate more easily and create a smoother batter.
- Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar: Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps or large pieces. This will help create a smoother batter and prevent lumps in the finished macarons.
- Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent the macarons from sticking to the pan.
- Let the macarons rest: After piping the macarons onto the baking sheet, let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This will help form a thin skin on the outside of the macarons, which will allow them to rise properly in the oven and develop the characteristic "feet."
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can cause the macarons to spread or develop cracks in the oven. Mix the batter just until it reaches a smooth, thick consistency and falls off the spatula in a ribbon-like stream.
- Be patient: Macarons require patience and practice to perfect. Don't be discouraged if your first batch doesn't turn out perfectly - keep trying and adjust your technique as needed.
Read more about macarons in my previous blog post!
French or Italian Meringue?
Macarons are usually made with either french or Italian meringue. This is dependent on the humidity of the environment! Italian meringues hold more moisture because of the syrup, so if you're making macarons in a humid environment, perhaps you'd have a better chance of success with French meringue. We use french meringue at Niecebakes, its also easier without the fuss of making the hot syrup!
Macarons are a fun and delicious treat to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and the right techniques, anyone can create these delicate, flavorful cookies. Whether you're an advanced baker or a beginner, macarons are sure to impress your friends and family. So why not give it a try and whip up a batch?
RECIPE BY VANIECE
DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE
YIELD: 36 MACARONS
ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES
RESTING TIME: 30-50 MINUTES
BAKING TIME: 12 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: ~1 HOUR 30 MINUTES
Sometimes recipes might not work the way you want, this can be due to a number of things, but mainly: different brands of flour may have different protein levels and water absorption capabilities that may result in a different texture.
This is similar with sugar and butter, but with varying respective moisture and fat contents. To provide you with a higher success rate with the recipe, we will link you to the ingredient that I use, so that you get the closest results.
I've also added my list of equipment, so you can use the exact same ones if you wish, to feel more confident with the recipe.
Simply click on the ingredients or equipment listed below to shop!
- 120g ground almond
- 124g egg whites
- 190g icing sugar
- 120g caster sugar
- 5 drops of red food colouring
For the jam:
- 225g raspberry puree
- 75g granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp pectin
- 1tbsp lemon juice
- 15ml rosé wine
- Light Pan Baking Tray
- Parchment Paper or Reusable Baking Sheets (e.g., SILPAT)
- Stand Mixer
- Small Blender / Food Processor
- Sheets (e.g., SILPAT)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Mixing Spoon
- Spatula
- Round Piping Tip
- Piping Bags
- Cooling Rack
- Pour the ground almond and icing sugar into a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- With a stand mixer, whisk egg whites in a large mixing bowl until foamy (around 60-90 seconds). Add all the caster sugar to the egg whites. Whisk until soft peaks form.
- Add half of the almond and icing sugar mixture to the egg whites, carefully mix with a spatula until it is just incorporated.
- Add half the remaining almond/icing mixture to the batter and mix.
- Add all the remaining almond/icing mixture to the batter and mix until they are just incorporated.
- Add food colouring and mix. Do not over mix here, the batter should just come off the spatula as you lift it.
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag with a fitted plain tip.
- On a baking sheet, pipe small egg-shaped macarons (~2.5-3cm in diameter). Let the macarons rest for at least 30 minutes, until a skin forms.
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celcius. Check that the macarons are not sticking when you gently touch them. Bake for 6 minutes at 170 degrees, then lower the temperature to 135 degrees and bake for a further 6 minutes.
- Remove the macaron shells from the baking sheet and place them upside down to cool.
- To make the jam, simply bring the raspberry fruit puree, granulated sugar and pectin to boil. Cook for ~15-20 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Make sure the jam is thick as we will add rosé later on, this will slightly dilute the mixture. Allow to cool and set. Add the rose and stir well.
- Fill the macarons with the jam - like a sandwich.
- To keep the macarons overnight, simply put them in the fridge and take them out 15 minutes before serving!
Happy baking,
Vaniece xx