Pumpkin Shaped Macarons

Your pumpkin-shaped macarons are now ready to be enjoyed! These cute and tasty treats are perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or as a special dessert during the pumpkin season.

Ingredients:

For the Macaron Shells:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Orange food coloring
• Green food coloring

For the Pumpkin Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

For the Macaron Shells:

1. Prepare a Template:
   • Create a pumpkin template on a piece of parchment paper. You can draw small circles for each macaron and a pumpkin shape around them. Place the template on a baking sheet.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients:
   • Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a large mixing bowl. Discard any large lumps.
3. Whip Egg Whites:
   • In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add granulated sugar while continuing to beat. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
4. Fold Dry Ingredients:
   • Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the whipped egg whites until the batter is smooth and shiny. Add a few drops of orange food coloring and fold until you achieve your desired shade.
5. Pipe the Macarons:
   • Transfer the macaron batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe the batter onto the parchment paper following the pumpkin template. Gently tap the baking sheet on the counter to remove air bubbles.
6. Create Stems:
   • Using a toothpick or a smaller piping tip, create green stems for the pumpkins.
7. Rest the Macarons:
   • Allow the piped macarons to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes until they form a slight skin.
8. Bake:
   • Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes or until they have developed feet and are set. Allow them to cool completely.

For the Pumpkin Filling:

1. Prepare the Filling:
   • In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until smooth and well combined.
2. Assemble the Macarons:
   • Once the macaron shells are cooled, pair them up by size.
   • Pipe or spread a generous amount of the pumpkin filling on the flat side of one shell, and then gently sandwich it with another shell.
3. Chill and Serve:
   • Allow the filled macarons to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.