Pumpkin Macarons
Pumpkin Macarons are a seasonal twist on standard macarons and well worth your time. Pumpkin pie spice adds flavor to the shells and pumpkin butter elevates the filling. I made pumpkin treats which take basic macarons to silly-holiday-fun when you add a jack-o-lantern face. Let the kids get involved and decorate their own!
Or keep it simple and elegant with the plain macaron-- a pumpkin spice shell with a pumpkin butter filling. These won't disappoint; they are the melt-in-your-mouth kind of good.
The #CreativeCookieExchange is all about HALLOWEEN this month. Whether you make something spooky, crafty, outrageous or simple, we'd love to see how your cookies celebrate Halloween.
I started with a macaron recipe from Brave Tart, The proportions of egg whites to almond flour, powdered sugar and granulated sugar that she provides work well for me too. It is helpful to use a kitchen scale to weigh ingredients when making macarons. That method is more accurate than measuring cups and you'll have better luck perfecting your macarons. To make these pumpkin flavored I used a generous amount of pumkin pie spice. You can make your own mixture out of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves or you can buy it already mixed and ready for purchase in the spice aisle.
Another reliable macaron recipe is shared in National Geographic. It is the Bouchon Bakery's macaron recipe. Give it a try!
The baking tool I find most helpful when making macarons is a Macaron Baking Mat. The mat has circular indentations that make crafting identical macarons SO MUCH EASIER. When I've experimented with that same batch of macaron batter and made one tray with my molded baking mat and the other tray without the mat, I've had much better results with the mat.
The molds give the macarons structure and, for me, are an insurance policy for when I may have under mixed my batter. Instead of spreading all over a regular baking mat, my macarons puff up, develop that signature foot around the edge, and bake beautifully.
How to pipe macarons without a macaron baking mat
Before I found the macaron mat (which honestly is the easiest way to pipe macarons), I would trace circles on my parchment which would guide me in making consistently sized macaron shells. Each time I'd trace around a circle cookie cutter or something else that was about the right size in my kitchen. The method worked but was time consuming.
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Pumpkin Macarons
Macarons are a beautiful dessert-- this version celebrates pumpkin flavors!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (115 g) almond flour
- 8 ounces (230 g) powdered sugar
- 5 ounces (144 g) egg whites
- 2 ½ ounces (72 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup pumpkin butter
Instructions
- Please find the original recipe from Brave Tart. She provides excellent detail for each step. Add the pumpkin pie spice along with the salt.
For the filling
To make the filling dairy free simply use store-bought pumpkin butter. Or if you prefer, try this:
- In a stand mixer beat together the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and pumpkin butter.
- Pipe small amount onto one shell, top with second shell.
- Optional: use food-safe markers or pens to decorate the shells like jack-o-lanterns.
Notes
Pumpkin macarons are a gluten free dessert.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.
Holly Baker started the food blog, A Baker's House, in 2011. She is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer for the site. Holly loves to bake and shares recipes for gluten free food, canning recipes, as well as traditional desserts too. Her recipes and food photography have been highlighted by BuzzFeed, Reader's Digest, and She Knows.
I am beyond impressed Holly. Those are just perfection.
Oh, thanks so much Karen!
These are so stinkin' cute! And I bet delicious too!
Thanks, Karen, I think I'll get my boys to help me draw on them next time. They are more creative. Thanks again for sharing your Applegate bag with us. my boys were thrilled to each have one. Thank you!
I've tried my hand at macarons and while finding them a bit too finicky for my tastes I agree that Stella's recipe and information are the best...and your work is proof positive. Both beautiful and cute at the same time!
Yes, I am still hit or miss with macarons but I've now tipped the scales and had more success than failures. Lemon is my favorite so far but these pumpkin treats rank a close second!
Good idea for the kitchen scale, I have to yet made macarons but someday soon I will be and I will use a scale. Your beautiful cookies are perfect for Halloween!
If you do get around to making macarons, I think the secret tool to use is a macaron baking sheet. It makes it much easier to have consistent shells. Happy Halloween!
Your macarons turned out beautifully, Holly! They are on my list of things to make - have been for ages! I love that little Jack o'lantern face. 🙂
I looove these! Macarons are my favorite, and adding pumpkin?! Home run. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sophia! I love macarons too!
I can bake anything, But I have so much trouble making Macarons. Yours look amazing, what a great idea.
Thanks, Jill, I've had my share of trial and error with macarons too. It is fun when they work out!
These are beautiful. Where do you get foodsafe pens?
Hi Laura, I use the food safe pens that Wilton makes. I found them at JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels. I think some grocery stores have them too-- Walmart and maybe Target. They have a separate type for treats dipped in candy melts such as cake pops. Lots of fun!
You are truly the consummate baker, Holly! Of course I am pinning your perfect pumpkin macarons =) P.s. Along with your delightful desserts, you must be enjoying the gorgeous Colorado fall foilage.
GORGEOUS Macarons!! And so cute and adorable too! Only you can do it, Holly! Respect!
Super fun and adorable.
Love the pumpkin faces on the macarons! I need to try this version, I have a ton of almond meal and nothing to make with it!
Yes! I love macarons! I love the little jack-o-lantern faces. So beautiful!