This football macarons recipe is a creative twist on the classic French dessert. Perfect for game day or a themed party, these macarons are not just about the looks, they are packed with a delicious peanut butter buttercream filling that will surely score big with your guests.
While most ingredients in this recipe might be familiar, you may not typically have almond flour or meringue powder at home. Almond flour is simply ground almonds and it's essential for giving macarons their characteristic texture. Meringue powder is used for the icing and can be found in the baking section of your supermarket. If you don't find it, you can replace it with egg whites.
Football Macarons Ingredients
powdered sugar: Used in both the macarons and the filling, it gives sweetness and helps achieve the right texture.
almond flour: It's what gives macarons their characteristic texture, don't replace it with regular flour.
cocoa powder: Gives a subtle chocolate flavor to the macarons.
egg whites: They help to create the fluffy texture of macarons.
granulated sugar: Used to stiffen the egg whites.
vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the macarons and the filling.
orange gel food coloring: Gives the macarons the color of a real football. If you don't want to use food coloring, you can skip this.
unsalted butter: Base for the buttercream filling.
creamy peanut butter: Gives a rich, creamy and nutty flavor to the filling.
meringue powder: Used for the icing, it's what makes it harden and keep its shape.
milk: Used to make the icing.
coconut flakes: Colored and used to create the 'grass' in the presentation.
One reader, Adam Ledbetter says:
I recently tried the football macarons recipe and it was a touchdown! The macarons turned out perfectly and the peanut butter buttercream was a delicious surprise. The football design was a hit at my game day party. I highly recommend this recipe for a fun and tasty treat!
Techniques Required for Making Football Macarons
How to make macarons: A step-by-step guide on preparing the macaron batter, piping the macarons onto the baking sheet, and baking them to perfection.
How to make peanut butter buttercream: Instructions for making the creamy and delicious peanut butter buttercream filling for the macarons.
How to make icing: A guide on preparing the icing for piping the stitches on top of the football-shaped macarons.
How to make coconut “grass”: Instructions for coloring and preparing the coconut “grass” to serve as a decorative base for the football macarons.
How To Make Football Macarons
Amp up your game-day snacks with these peanut buttercream-filled football macarons that are made using almond flour and decorated with vanilla icing.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Macarons:
- 1⅓cupspowdered sugar,(145 g)
- ⅔cupfinely ground almond flour,(65 g)
- 2tbspcocoa powder
- ½tspkosher salt,divided
- 3large egg whites,at room temperature
- ¼cupgranulated sugar
- ½tspvanilla extract
- 3dropsorange gel food coloring
- nonstick cooking,spray, for greasing
For Peanut Butter Buttercream:
- ¼stickunsalted butter,at room temperature
- ¼cupcreamy peanut butter,(60 g)
- ¼tspvanilla extract
- ½cuppowdered sugar,(55 g)
For Icing:
- ¼cuppowdered sugar
- ½tspmeringue powder
- 1tspmilk
- ¼tspvanilla extract
For Grass:
- 1tspwater
- 12dropsyellow liquid food coloring
- 6dropsgreen liquid food coloring
- 2cupssweetened coconut flakes,(200 g), shredded
Instructions
Macarons:
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In the bowl of a food processor, combine the powdered sugar, almond flour, cocoa powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt and process on low speed, until extra-fine. Sift the almond flour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.
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In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites and the remaining salt with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar and beat until fully incorporated.
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Continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and orange food coloring and beat until just combined.
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Add about ⅓ of the almond flour mixture at a time to the beaten egg whites and use a spatula to gently fold until combined.
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After the last addition of almond flour, continue to fold slowly until the batter falls into ribbons and stays on the surface when the spatula is held up and move it in a figure 8 shape.
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Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag fitted with a ⅜-inch round tip.
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Grease 2 rimmed baking sheets with nonstick spray, then place a piece of parchment paper over each, using the spray to help adhere the parchment to pans.
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Pipe the macarons onto the parchment paper in 2-inch football shapes, spacing at least 1-inch apart.
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Tap the baking sheet on a flat surface 5 times to release any air bubbles. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, until dry to the touch.
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
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Bake the macarons for 20 minutes, until the feet are well-risen and the macarons don’t stick to the parchment paper when lifted gently. Transfer the macarons to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
Peanut Butter Buttercream:
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In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric hand mixer for 1 minute, until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and beat to incorporate. Sift in the powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated.
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Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip.
Icing:
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Add the powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and milk to a medium bowl. Whisk until evenly combined and smooth. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
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Pipe the peanut butter buttercream down the middle of a macaron shell. Top with another macaron shell to create a sandwich. Repeat with remaining macaron shells and filling.
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Use the icing to pipe stitches on top of each football macaron. Let dry.
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Place the macarons in an airtight container for 24 hours to “bloom” before serving.
Grass:
-
In a small bowl, combine the water, yellow food coloring, and green food coloring. Mix to combine. Add the coconut and food coloring mixture to a plastic bag. Seal the bag and shake until the coconut is evenly colored.
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To serve, spread the coconut grass on a serving platter. Arrange the football macarons on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 227.88kcal
- Fat: 13.66g
- Saturated Fat: 8.13g
- Trans Fat: 0.06g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.86g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.68g
- Carbohydrates: 25.28g
- Fiber: 2.84g
- Sugar: 21.41g
- Protein: 3.74g
- Cholesterol: 4.08mg
- Sodium: 79.80mg
- Calcium: 11.04mg
- Potassium: 145.24mg
- Iron: 0.62mg
- Vitamin A: 13.04µg
- Vitamin C: 0.17mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Football Macarons
When making your macarons, it's crucial to let them sit at room temperature after piping and before baking. This resting period allows the macarons to develop a skin, which contributes to their characteristic texture and appearance. If you skip this step, your macarons may not rise properly and could lack their signature feet. Also, remember to tap the baking sheet on a flat surface to release any air bubbles, as these could cause your macarons to crack during baking.
Time-Saving Tips for Football Macarons Recipe
Prepare the ingredients: Gather and measure all the ingredients before starting to make the macarons to streamline the process.
Use a template: Create a template for piping the macarons onto the baking sheet to ensure uniform size and shape.
Use a food processor: Utilize a food processor to quickly and finely grind the almond flour and powdered sugar for the macaron shells.
Invest in piping bags: Use disposable piping bags to easily pipe the macaron batter and fillings without the need for cleanup between uses.
Organize your workspace: Keep your work area organized and clean to work efficiently and minimize the risk of mistakes.
Follow the recipe: Carefully follow the recipe instructions to ensure the macarons turn out perfectly without the need for adjustments during the process.
Substitute Ingredients For Football Macarons Recipe
powdered sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar: Granulated sugar can be used as a substitute for powdered sugar in macarons, but it may result in a slightly different texture.
almond flour - Substitute with hazelnut flour: Hazelnut flour can be used as a substitute for almond flour, providing a similar nutty flavor with a slight variation in taste and texture.
cocoa powder - Substitute with carob powder: Carob powder can be used as a substitute for cocoa powder, offering a similar chocolate-like flavor with a slightly different taste profile.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt, providing a similar level of saltiness with a slightly different texture.
egg whites - Substitute with aquafaba: Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, can be used as a substitute for egg whites in macarons, providing a similar binding and leavening effect.
granulated sugar - Substitute with caster sugar: Caster sugar can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar, providing a finer texture and quicker dissolving properties.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract, offering a different flavor profile with a hint of almond essence.
orange gel food coloring - Substitute with yellow gel food coloring: Yellow gel food coloring can be used as a substitute for orange gel food coloring, providing a different color while maintaining the vibrant hue.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a substitute for unsalted butter, providing a similar fat content with a hint of coconut flavor.
creamy peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter can be used as a substitute for creamy peanut butter, offering a similar creamy texture with a different nutty flavor.
meringue powder - Substitute with cream of tartar: Cream of tartar can be used as a substitute for meringue powder, providing similar stabilizing properties for the icing.
sweetened coconut flakes - Substitute with chopped almonds: Chopped almonds can be used as a substitute for sweetened coconut flakes, providing a similar nutty crunch with a different texture.
Presenting Your Football Macarons
Elevate the plating: When presenting the football macarons, consider using a sleek and modern plating style. Opt for minimalist white plates or platters to allow the vibrant colors of the macarons to pop and take center stage.
Incorporate edible elements: Introduce edible flowers or microgreens to add a touch of elegance to the plating. These delicate and visually appealing elements can complement the football macarons and elevate the overall presentation.
Create visual balance: Arrange the football macarons in a symmetrical or asymmetrical yet visually balanced manner on the plate. Consider using odd numbers for a more dynamic and visually striking presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to draw attention to the football macarons. Allow the macarons to be the focal point while incorporating strategic empty spaces to create a visually appealing presentation.
Incorporate height: Experiment with varying heights by using small pedestals or risers to showcase the football macarons. This technique adds dimension to the presentation and creates an eye-catching display.
Consider the color palette: When plating the football macarons, pay attention to the color palette. Aim for a harmonious balance of colors, and consider using complementary hues to create a visually stunning and appetizing presentation.
Add a touch of gold leaf: For a luxurious and sophisticated touch, delicately place gold leaf on the plate surrounding the football macarons. This elegant addition can elevate the overall presentation and add a touch of opulence.
Incorporate thematic elements: To tie in the football theme, consider using small decorative football-themed elements such as miniature goal posts or football-shaped chocolate garnishes to add a playful and thematic touch to the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Football Macarons
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's commonly used in preparing macaron batter and other pastry doughs.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential kitchen tool used for combining ingredients, whisking, and stirring. It's often used in macaron recipes for mixing the dry ingredients and folding the batter.
Sifter: A sifter is a handheld or mechanical device used to aerate and break up clumps in dry ingredients such as powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and almond flour, ensuring a smooth and uniform texture in macaron batter.
Electric hand mixer: An electric hand mixer is a convenient tool for beating egg whites, creaming butter, and mixing batters. It's commonly used in macaron recipes to achieve the desired consistency of the batter.
Piping bag: A piping bag, often fitted with various tips, is used for piping macaron batter onto baking sheets and for filling the macarons with buttercream. It allows for precise and decorative placement of the batter and fillings.
Rimmed baking sheet: A rimmed baking sheet, also known as a baking tray, is used to hold the parchment paper with piped macaron batter and to facilitate even baking in the oven.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a non-stick baking paper used to line baking sheets, preventing the macarons from sticking and facilitating easy removal after baking.
Wire rack: A wire rack is used for cooling baked goods, allowing air to circulate around the macarons and preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
Small round tip: A small round tip, often used with a piping bag, is ideal for piping fine details and decorations, such as the stitches on football-shaped macarons.
Medium round tip: A medium round tip, used with a piping bag, is suitable for piping the peanut butter buttercream onto the macaron shells, ensuring even distribution and a smooth finish.
Storing and Freezing Your Football Macarons
- To store the football macarons, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will help maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming too soft or stale.
- If you want to freeze the macarons, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until the macarons are completely frozen. Once frozen, transfer the macarons to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating each layer with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Frozen macarons can be stored for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, remove the desired number of macarons from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator for about 2 hours before serving. This gradual thawing process will help preserve their delicate texture and prevent condensation from forming on the surface.
- For the best flavor and texture, it's recommended to consume the football macarons within a week of making them, whether they are stored in the refrigerator or freezer. However, with proper storage techniques, you can extend their shelf life and enjoy them for a longer period.
Interesting Fact About Football Macarons
The macaron, a sweet meringue-based confection, is often associated with French cuisine. However, its origins can be traced back to Italy during the Renaissance period. The treat was introduced to France by Catherine de' Medici, who brought her pastry chefs with her upon marrying the future King Henry II. This delectable dessert has since become a beloved delicacy enjoyed worldwide.
Is Making Football Macarons at Home Cost-Effective?
This football macarons recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as almond flour, cocoa powder, and egg whites, are relatively affordable and commonly found in most kitchens. However, the use of gel food coloring and sweetened coconut flakes may slightly increase the overall cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $20-$25. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 8/10, considering the unique presentation, delicious flavor, and moderate cost.
Are Football Macarons Healthy or Unhealthy?
This football macarons recipe, while undeniably adorable and perfect for game day, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients, such as powdered sugar, almond flour, and peanut butter, are high in calories and fat. The recipe also calls for a significant amount of sugar, which can contribute to various health issues if consumed in excess. Additionally, the use of food coloring may be a concern for some individuals who prefer to avoid artificial additives in their food.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of sugar used in the macaron shells and buttercream filling, or experiment with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract
- Use a natural, unsweetened peanut butter to reduce added sugars and oils
- Opt for natural food coloring alternatives, such as beet juice for red or turmeric for yellow, to avoid artificial additives
- Serve smaller portions or limit the number of macarons consumed per person to control calorie and sugar intake
- Pair the macarons with fresh fruit or a small serving of dark chocolate to add nutritional value and balance out the sweetness
Enhance Your Football Macarons Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Try Besides Football Macarons
Appetizers and Main Dishes to Complement Football Macarons Recipe
Why trust this Football Macarons Recipe:
This recipe is a winning choice for any football gathering. The macarons are skillfully crafted with a delicate balance of cocoa powder and peanut butter buttercream, ensuring a delightful flavor experience. The meticulous instructions and use of high-quality ingredients, such as almond flour and vanilla extract, guarantee a successful outcome. The attention to detail, from the precise piping of the macarons to the intricate icing stitches, showcases the chef's expertise. Trust in this recipe to elevate your game day spread with its irresistible taste and stunning presentation.
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