Almond Joy Macarons

Almond Joy Macarons have a classic french macaron shell filled with a creamy chocolate ganache and rolled in shredded coconut and slivered almonds

There are very few things that don't go well with chocolate. Almond Joys are proof that you throw together coconut, chocolate, and almonds and you've got a little piece of magic. You can get more of the delicious coconut flavor with my Coconut Cake Recipe!

Ingredients for Almond Joy Macarons

Almond Joy Macaron Ingredients:

• Almond Flour. Be sure that you are using almond flour and not almond meal.
• Powdered Sugar. This will aid in the flavor and structure of the finished macarons.
• Egg Whites. Having your egg whites at room temperature will make it easier to whip them.
• Granulated Sugar. Sugar will give structure to the beaten egg whites.

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:

• Heavy Cream. Heavy cream is necessary for it to be thick enough, don't use half and half.
• Chocolate Chips. I use semi-sweet, but you can use whatever you like best.

Assembly Ingredients:

• Shredded Coconut. You can use sweetened or unsweetened depending on what you prefer.
• Slivered Almonds. You need to use slivered almonds so they can be thin enough to roll the almond joy macarons in.

Chocolate Ganache

I have quite a few recipes that use chocolate ganache. First of all, because it is truly delicious. You can take a plain old recipe, add chocolate ganache and it take it to a whole new level. It can be a real game changer. Second, it is so stinking easy to make.

Chocolate Ganache is made with equal parts (by weight, not by measurement) heavy cream and chocolate. The two are melted together for a perfectly smooth and creamy chocolate ganache. If you want a thicker ganache you can add more chocolate. If you want a thinner ganache you can add more heavy cream.

How to make chocolate ganache

Step 1: In a small saucepan heat the heavy cream over low heat until lightly boiling.

Step 2: Remove the pan from heat and add the chocolate chips. Allow to sit for five minutes.

Step 3: Next, use a whisk to slowly stir the mixture together until everything is melted and fully incorporated. Stir from the center in one direction. You want to be sure not to add too much air to the ganache, so mix slowly.

Step 4: Transfer the ganache to a small bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge and allow to cool thoroughly and thicken up.

Macaron tips

• If possible, make your macarons on a less humid day. You will need to rest the macarons for longer and they might not turn out as well on a humid day.
• Don't over mix the batter. You only need to macaronage until you can make a figure 8 with the batter. If you over mix the macarons will spread too much.
• Wipe the bowl down with vinegar before adding the egg whites to whip. Even a speck of leftover dish soap or fat (egg yolk, butter, etc.) will inhibit the egg whites from whipping up properly.
• Let the macarons rest before eating. Macarons are best when they have matured for 12 or so hours. So after you fill the macarons, let them rest overnight for the best flavor.

How to make french macarons

Step 1: Line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat. I highly recommend a silicone mat of some kind, but if you don’t have one then you can also use parchment paper.

Step 2: In a food processor add the powdered sugar and almond flour and pulse until fully combined and rid of lumps. Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl. If you don’t have a food processor you can just sift the ingredients together.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, prepare the french meringue. Beat the egg whites on low speed until they get frothy. Increase the speed and slowly add the sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. If you want to add food coloring, do it now, but add it sparingly or you will make the meringue too liquidy.

Step 4: Add the french meringue into the dry ingredients and begin to gently fold with a silicone spatula. This process is called macaronage. You will know the batter is ready when the ingredients are fully combined and not streaky. You should be able to hold the spatula above the bowl and draw a figure 8 smoothly without the batter breaking off. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip. Pipe 1-inch disks onto the prepared cookie sheet.

Step 5: Firmly tap the cookie sheet onto the counter 3 or 4 times to bring any air bubbles to the surface. Use a toothpick to pop any remaining air bubbles.

Step 6: Let the macarons rest for an hour. There needs to be a dry layer on the top. You should be able to run your finger over the top without any transferring to your finger.

Step 7: Preheat the oven to 280 degrees (F). This is the temperature that I have found works well for my oven, but you may need to play around with the temperature.

Step 8: Place the macarons on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 5 minutes, rotate the cookie sheet, bake for another 5 minutes, and rotate the cookie sheet again, bake for 5 minutes. 15 minutes in total.

Step 9: Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. They should peel off of the mat easily.

Step 10: When the macarons are cooled peel them off of the mat and match each shell to another that is the same size.

How to assemble macarons

Step 1: Transfer the ganache to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip. Pipe your desired amount of ganache onto the inside of one macaron shell. Sandwich the matching macaron shell on top.

Step 2: Roll the outside of the macaron in the finely chopped coconut and almonds. The mixture should stick to the chocolate ganache.

More Macaron Recipes

• Earl Grey Macarons- A classic french macaron shell flavored with earl grey tea leaves and filled with honey-flavored buttercream. Like eating a cup of tea!
• Caramel Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Macarons- A classic french macaron shell flavored with pumpkin spice, filled with cream cheese frosting and a dollop of homemade caramel.
• Mint Chocolate Macarons- These macarons are filled with a mint chocolate ganache.
• Vanilla Bean Macarons with Rose Buttercream- These vanilla macarons are filled with the prettiest pink rose buttercream.

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