Decadent Nutella-Chocolate Macarons
Indulge in a delightful fusion of rich chocolate and creamy Nutella with these Nutella-Chocolate Macarons. Perfectly crisp on the outside, with a lusciously smooth filling, these macarons make for an exquisite dessert or an elegant gift for chocolate lovers. Enhance your baking repertoire with this sophisticated yet approachable French treat, meticulously crafted for any occasion.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Confectioners' sugar
1 cup (None)
Almond flour
3/4 cup (None)
Cocoa powder
2 tablespoons (None)
Egg whites
2 (Warmed to room temperature)
Cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon (Pinch)
Granulated sugar
1/4 cup (None)
Heavy cream
1/2 cup (None)
Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce (Chopped)
Nutella
4-5 tablespoons (None)
Instructions
1
Gather all your ingredients and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
2
In a food processor, combine the confectioners' sugar, almond flour, and cocoa. Pulse until well mixed, ensuring a fine, even texture. Set this dry mixture aside.
3
In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites until they turn foamy. Add a pinch of cream of tartar and continue whisking until the soft peaks form. Gradually incorporate the granulated sugar, then increase the whisking speed to high. Whisk until stiff, glossy peaks are achieved, about 3 minutes.
4
Sift the almond flour mixture into the whipped egg whites using a sieve, not a flour sifter. Fold the mixture gently until it is smooth and uniform, taking care not to deflate the egg whites.
5
Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, such as Wilton 1A or 2A. Pipe evenly sized rounds onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch of space between each.
6
Allow the piped macarons to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until a gentle touch does not leave a mark.
7
While the macarons rest, preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Once set, bake the macarons in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness by attempting to gently slide the tops; they should move slightly. Let them cool completely on the baking sheets.
8
For the filling, warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Place the semisweet chocolate and Nutella in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate mixture and let it sit for a minute.
9
Whisk the cream and chocolate mixture until smooth and fully melted. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until it thickens.
10
Once thickened, beat the chilled ganache on high speed until it lightens in color and becomes fluffy.
11
Assemble the macarons by placing a small spoonful of ganache in the center of one macaron shell. Gently press a second shell on top, allowing the ganache to spread to the edges.
12
Store the completed macarons in the refrigerator. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance their texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Nutella-Chocolate Macarons?
These are a French-inspired dessert consisting of chocolate shells filled with a creamy Nutella and chocolate ganache.
What is the flavor profile of these macarons?
They offer a fusion of rich chocolate and creamy hazelnut Nutella with a crisp exterior and smooth filling.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to produce 10 servings.
What are the primary ingredients for the macaron shells?
The shells are made from confectioners' sugar, almond flour, cocoa powder, egg whites, cream of tartar, and granulated sugar.
What ingredients are used for the filling?
The filling consists of heavy cream, semisweet chocolate, and Nutella.
How should the egg whites be prepared before whisking?
The egg whites should be warmed to room temperature before you begin the whisking process.
Why is a food processor used in this recipe?
A food processor is used to pulse the confectioners' sugar, almond flour, and cocoa until they achieve a fine, even texture.
What is the purpose of cream of tartar in macarons?
A pinch of cream of tartar is added to the foamy egg whites to help stabilize them while whisking into peaks.
How long should I whisk the egg whites to achieve stiff peaks?
Whisk the egg whites on high speed for about 3 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks are achieved.
Should I use a flour sifter for the almond flour mixture?
No, the recipe specifically recommends using a sieve rather than a flour sifter to sift the dry mixture into the egg whites.
How should the dry mixture be incorporated into the egg whites?
Gently fold the sifted almond flour mixture into the whipped egg whites until the batter is smooth and uniform.
What piping tip is recommended for macaron batter?
A large round tip, such as a Wilton 1A or 2A, is recommended for piping the macarons.
How much space should be left between piped macaron rounds?
Leave about one inch of space between each piped round on the baking sheets.
Why do the macarons need to rest at room temperature before baking?
Resting allows the macarons to form a skin so that a gentle touch does not leave a mark, which helps them bake correctly.
How long do the macarons need to rest before going into the oven?
They should rest for approximately 30 minutes at room temperature.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (163°C).
How long should the macarons bake?
Bake the shells for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven.
How can I tell if the macaron shells are finished baking?
They are done when you can gently slide the tops and they move only slightly.
Where should the macarons cool?
The macarons should be left to cool completely on the baking sheets.
How do I prepare the ganache filling?
Simmer heavy cream, pour it over chopped semisweet chocolate and Nutella, let sit for a minute, then whisk until smooth.
How long does the ganache need to be refrigerated?
The ganache should be refrigerated for 20-30 minutes until it thickens.
What is the final step for preparing the ganache?
Once thickened and chilled, beat the ganache on high speed until it becomes light in color and fluffy.
How are the macarons assembled?
Place a small spoonful of ganache on one shell and gently press a second shell on top until the filling spreads to the edges.
How should finished macarons be stored?
Store the completed macarons in the refrigerator.
How should I serve the macarons?
Allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance their texture.
Can I use any type of chocolate for the filling?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of chopped semisweet chocolate combined with Nutella.
What type of lining should be used on the baking sheets?
The baking sheets should be lined with parchment paper.
Are Nutella-Chocolate Macarons suitable for gifting?
Yes, they are described as an elegant gift for chocolate lovers.
Is this a difficult recipe for beginners?
The recipe is described as sophisticated yet approachable for those looking to enhance their baking repertoire.
What is the first step in the entire recipe?
The first step is to gather all ingredients and prepare the baking sheets with parchment paper.