I’m nothing if not honest. And, if I was honest, I would admit that I have an addiction to a certain peanut butter cup. Seriously, these Reeces Macarons feed that addiction so well, it’s not funny.
If you’re hesitant, though, read on because despite the fact that you’re afraid making French Macaron Cookies is “too hard”, they’re really not.
Keep reading.
I’m not kidding. These Reeces Macarons are not only easy, they’re fun and so tasty, it’s worth learning how to use a food scale.
If you don’t believe how easy it really can be to whip-up these Reeces Macarons, just check out this simple slideshow video I made of how to make ’em. Er, something.
Just watch the video, below – it’s really that easy!
It’s educational.
See?!
You seriously don’t need any special tools to make these Reeces Macarons, not really.
But one thing that’s a total must is the food scale–no just for Reeces Macarons, but for ANY french macaron cookie-making adventure.
Yeah, I didn’t have one, either, until I started making macarons–then I found out that I really had to have one in order to get the cookies to work right.
So I snagged this really simple, flat digital scale (paid link)–it’s easy to use and I like it, so there’s that.
And then you need a template so you know about how much to put out on your silicone mat (paid link)–and thus how big your French macaron cookies will be.
So, no real tools, just a couple of things and it really is simple to whip up a big batch of Reeces Macarons.
Oh, and don’t forget to look over these 12 Tips for Perfect Macarons–because, you know, preparedness is key before you rush off to make any French Macarons, not just these Reeces Macarons.
And it doesn’t even require any “weird” ingredients to make these Reeces Macarons, with the exception of the almond flour.
Not everyone has that, so, you might want to make sure you’ve got some in your pantry.
I get this Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour (paid link)–and the question is “do I really need 3 lbs? The answer is “yes” because you’re going to make that many macaron cookies, and also “yes” because this is actually a better price per pound than can possibly be found in the grocery store…so, there’s that…
Then, when you’re mixing and mixing your Reeces Macarons, you have mix TO the ribbon stage.
See the emphasis on the word “to” and not “past”.
Because if you go PAST the ribbon stage, your macaron cookies will not be light and fluffy.
Nope.
But, after you’ve managed that little challenge, making the Reeces Macarons is, well, a cake walk.
Just melt-up some peanut butter chips and drizzle them over the shells and BAM!
Ok. you might have to do some baking in between the ribbon stage and the peanut butter stage, but that’s hardly work.
The oven is the one doing all the hot-stuff.
Not ready to make your Reeces Macarons yet?
That’s ok. I’ll be here for you when you are–but to make it easier to find this recipe again, be sure to pin it to your favorite macaron cookie board on Pinterest.
And, heck, share it on Facebook, too, that way your friends know you’re about to make some amazing French Macarons and they can’t have any…LOL!
Reeces Macarons
Reeces Macarons
I'm nothing if not honest. And, if I was honest, I would admit that I have an addiction to a certain peanut butter cup. And these Reeces Macarons feed that addiction so well, it's not funny.
Ingredients
Cookie Shells
- 4 oz. confectioners sugar minus 2 tbsp
- 2 oz. almond flour (I recommend Bob’s Red Mill)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey’s is the best!)
- 1 oz granulated sugar
- 2 oz. egg whites roughly two eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla optional, or you can use your favorite extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Toppings
- 1/4 cup peanut butter chips
Buttercream
- 1 stick butter at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 1/2 tsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Instructions
Cookie Shells
- Weigh out all ingredients.
- Sift together almond flour, powdered sugar (remember to remove 2 tbsp and replace with 2 tbsp cocoa powder), and cocoa powder in a large bowl and set aside.
- Add your egg whites to the bowl of your mixer and start mixing on a medium speed until they get frothy. Add in the salt.
- Gradually add in your sugar to the egg whites and mix on a medium speed until you get a soft peak consistency.
- After the egg whites are the right consistency, add about 1/3 of the dry mixture to the egg whites and fold in until there are no dry spots left.
- Add in the remaining dry mixture to the meringue and fold in until there are no dry spots. Begin to check for the “ribbon” stage, where the batter falls off in ribbons and you can make a figure 8 without it breaking off. Once you get to this consistency stop folding.
- Prepare your piping bag with a small round tip. Place your bag in a large cup to make it easier to add your batter. Slowly add in your batter.
- Place a silicon mat on a baking sheet.
- Hold your piping bag completely vertical when piping and lift straight up. Making about 1 1/2 to 2 inch circles.
- After you have piped all the batter, bang the baking sheet on the counter 10-20 times (seriously) to remove all air bubbles. Use a toothpick or something sharp to pop them.
- Now it is time to let them dry. Leave them sitting on the counter for 30-60 minutes until you can touch them and you can feel a “shell” form over them. No batter should come off on your finger.
- preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. and bake your macarons for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. When you touch the top of the macaron it should not wiggle around on the “feet”.
- Allow them to cool COMPLETELY before taking them off the baking sheet.
Topping
- Melt the peanut butter chips with about 1 tsp vegetable shortening and add to a ziplock bag, being careful not to burn yourself it will be warm.
- Cut a small hole in one corner of the bag. Drizzle over the top of the macaron shells. Allow to harden before moving on to the filling.
Buttercream
- Place the butter and peanut butter in the bowl of your stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream until light and fluffy. Add in the confectioners sugar and mix until combined.
- Add in the vanilla extract, and cream and mix until combined.
- Place in a pipping bag with a star tip and set aside
- Pipe a generous amount of buttercream on half of the macaron shells
- Sandwich them with the remaining macaron shells.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours to allow them to “mature”. Be sure to allow to come to room temperature before serving.
- Enjoy!
