It was starting to almost feel like spring this week! Today was over 50 degrees, which is a heat wave during February in NJ. Now that Easter is just around the corner, I’m already starting to think of dessert to bring. I absolutely love making macarons, so I decided to put a spring twist on them with these gorgeous lavender honey macarons. They’re perfect for Easter with their light floral flavor and pretty purple color!
Then I was ready for assembling the lavender honey macarons! I just kept sandwiching a big spoonful of the filling between two of the cookies until I formed them all. They kept wonderfully in sealed containers in my refrigerator for days, so they were perfect to make ahead. I can’t wait to make them again for Easter! Hope you all love them too, friends. xoxo
Lavender Honey Macarons
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
These lavender honey macarons are so pretty and elegant for dessert or afternoon tea! The gorgeous flavors are perfect for spring.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Cookies, Lavender Honey Macarons, Macarons
Servings: 30 macarons
Calories: 167 kcal
Ingredients
- 200 grams almond flour
- 200 grams powdered sugar
- 5 whole egg whites at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon lavender extract
- 1/2 teaspoon purple gel food coloring
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 pound mascarpone cheese
- 4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Get out two sheet trays and line them with either silicone mats that have macaron templates on them, or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, draw 30 equal circles on each piece to make yourself a template and turn them over to have the ink face down. They should be the size of the palm of your hand. Then take the almond flour and powdered sugar and press them through a fine mesh strainer into a large mixing bowl. This will take a little time and elbow grease but it is completely necessary for the texture of the cookies. Whisk them together in the bowl to blend them. Then pour in half of the egg white liquid, the lavender extract and purple food coloring. Use a spatula to fold and mash the mixture together into a uniform paste. Set the paste aside.
- Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat it up over medium high heat. Use a candy thermometer to make sure it reaches 243 degrees. While it heats up, set up a stand mixer with a whisk attachment and pour the remaining egg whites into it. Whip up the egg whites on high speed until they hold stiff peaks. Turn the speed to low and keep whipping the egg whites while the sugar comes to temperature on the stove. When the sugar reaches temperature, slowly and carefully pour it into the stand mixer with the egg whites and let it get mixed in. Turn the speed to high and let the meringue whisk together thoroughly until it becomes white, shiny and comes down to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Take the meringue and fold it in thoroughly with the paste in the mixing bowl. You will need to mash it together a little too to break up the paste into the meringue. It should become a smooth, shiny and pretty lavender colored mixture. Scoop half of it into a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch opening. Hold the opening over the center of the first circle on your sheet tray template and gently squeeze until it is filled. If there is a little point on top don't worry, it will dissolve. Fill the first sheet this way, then repeat with the second half of meringue on the other sheet tray.
- Now this is the heart stopping but necessary part. Lift each filled sheet tray about 8 inches above the counter and let it drop onto the counter. This will get out all of the air bubbles to make a really smooth, shiny top. Let the trays sit out for 30-40 minutes to dry out and firm up a little. When the time is almost up, fit a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350. Bake the first tray for 6 minutes, then rotate the tray to ensure even baking and let them bake for another 6-7 minutes. Take that tray out and let the cookies cool completely and bake the second tray in the same way. Let that tray cool completely too. You can even chill them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to really set them and firm them up. It makes them easier to remove.
- While the cookies cool, make the easy filling. Simply stir the mascarpone and honey together thoroughly until it is smooth. Set it in the refrigerator until you are ready to form them. Assemble the macarons by spreading a heaping spoonful of the mascarpone honey filling on the flat side of one of the cookies. Then place another cookie of the same size on top and gently twist to make sure the filling spreads to the edge and the sandwich holds together. Chill them in the refrigerator in sealed containers until you are ready to serve them! Let them sit out for a few minutes before you serve them and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
Lavender Honey Macarons
Amount Per Serving (1 macaron)
Calories 167 Calories from Fat 93
% Daily Value*
Fat 10.3g16%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 19mg6%
Sodium 14mg1%
Carbohydrates 17.6g6%
Fiber 0.7g3%
Sugar 15.8g18%
Protein 3.1g6%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
These look yummy! A perfect Easter and spring treat.
Thank you so much!!
Macarons are my favorite dessert ever, and lavender and honey sound like a great combination! I’ll be making these for sure.
Oh thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy them :-).
These look absolutely delicious! Macaroons have become one of my favorite sweet treats, and I’ve always wanted to try making them myself. I may just have to try your recipe!! 🙂
They are really fun to make, I hope you enjoy the recipe!! Thank you so much for stopping by :-).
Love macarons and these purple ones look just as pretty as I’m sure they will taste!
Thank you so much!!
These look delicious. I think I might have to try making these. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!!
These are so gorgeous!!!! I have been dying to make these. I’m ordering those handy mats and trying this asap!!!!
xo
Taylor
http://www.reeseshardwear.com
Wonderful, the mats are so handy! Hope you love the recipe, thanks so much for the kind words!!
You seriously have the best recipes! I love macarons because the flavors always seem so fancy. This is no exception! Yum!
Oh thank you so much, Marcie!! That means a lot.
I must make these! Love macaroons and love lavender. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy them if you try them.