Description
These Red Velvet Macarons with Mascarpone Frosting are a luxurious twist on a classic French treat. With their vibrant red color and delicate, chewy texture, these macarons are filled with a creamy mascarpone frosting that perfectly complements their light cocoa flavor. They’re an elegant, irresistible dessert for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or any time you want to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup almond flour
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Pinch of cream of tartar (optional)
For the Mascarpone Frosting:
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Macaron Shells:
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, sift together powdered sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder to remove any lumps.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar (if using) until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the sifted almond flour mixture into the egg whites, being careful not to deflate the batter. Add the red food coloring and fold until evenly incorporated.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Tap the baking sheets on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
Let the macarons rest at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes or until a skin forms on top (they should be touchable without sticking to your finger).
Bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes, or until they easily lift off the parchment paper. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets. - Make the Mascarpone Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is fluffy and holds stiff peaks. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk to adjust the consistency. - Assemble the Macarons:
Once the macaron shells are completely cooled, pair them up by size.
Pipe a generous amount of mascarpone frosting onto the flat side of one macaron shell and sandwich it with another shell, pressing gently to adhere.
Store the assembled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Notes
- For a more intense red color, you can adjust the amount of food coloring.
- Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature to help achieve the perfect meringue.
- Macarons can be tricky, so if you’re new to making them, be patient and precise with the folding technique and resting time.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Red Velvet Macarons, Macarons, Mascarpone Frosting, Red Velvet, Valentine’s Day, French Macarons, Elegant Desserts