Birthday Cake Macarons

Birthday Cake Macarons Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate celebration treat, these Birthday Cake Macarons are the perfect choice! With their delicate, chewy almond shells and a rich, birthday cake-flavored buttercream filling, these macarons are a delightful way to celebrate any special occasion. Topped with colorful rainbow sprinkles, they’re sure to be a hit at birthday parties, showers, or any festive gathering.

Ingredients

For the Birthday Cake Macarons:

• 105 g sifted super fine almond flour
• 105 g sifted confectioners sugar
• 100 g egg whites
• 100 g white sugar
• 3 g (1 tsp) egg white powder (optional but highly recommended)
• 1 tsp artificial vanilla extract
• Nonpareils rainbow sprinkles

For the Birthday Cake Buttercream:

• 1 cup (130 g) white or yellow boxed cake mix
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups (360 g) confectioners sugar
• 2 tbsp (28 g) heavy cream
• 1 tsp artificial vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring

Directions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
   • Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
   • In a large bowl, sift together the almond flour and confectioners sugar. Whisk until fully combined and set aside.
2. Making the Meringue:
   • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites, white sugar, and egg white powder.
   • Place the bowl over simmering water (bain-marie) and whisk constantly until the mixture reaches 140°F (60°C).
   • Remove the bowl from the heat and attach it to the stand mixer. Beat the mixture on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff peaks form (about 8-10 minutes). Add the vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
3. Macaronage (Folding the Batter):
   • Sift the dry ingredients (almond flour and confectioners sugar) into the stiff meringue.
   • Gently fold the mixture until it forms a smooth, glossy batter that flows like lava. The batter should be able to form figure-8 shapes without breaking.
4. Piping and Drying the Macarons:
   • Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles (about 1½ inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets.
   • Tap the baking sheets on the counter several times to release any air bubbles.
   • Sprinkle the tops of the macarons with rainbow nonpareils for a fun birthday cake touch.
   • Allow the piped macarons to sit and dry until a skin forms on the surface. This can take anywhere from 8 minutes to 1 hour, depending on humidity.
5. Baking the Macarons:
   • Preheat the oven to 300°F (or 275°F for convection ovens).
   • Bake the macarons for 15-20 minutes. The tops should be firm and the bottoms should have the classic “feet” (the ruffled edge around the base).
   • Allow the macarons to cool completely before carefully removing them from the baking sheets. Pair the macaron shells by matching similar sizes.
6. Make the Birthday Cake Buttercream:
   • Microwave the boxed cake mix for 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, to kill any bacteria in the raw flour.
   • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
   • Add the cooled cake mix and confectioners sugar in intervals, mixing until smooth and well combined.
   • Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a few drops of pink food coloring. Beat until the buttercream is smooth and creamy.
7. Assemble the Macarons:
   • Transfer the birthday cake buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
   • Pipe the buttercream onto one macaron shell, then gently press another shell on top to create a sandwich.
   • For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the macarons overnight to allow the flavors to mature.

Tips for Success:

• Egg White Powder: Adding egg white powder helps stabilize the meringue and is highly recommended for achieving perfect macarons.
• Macaronage: Be careful not to overmix the batter during the folding process. The batter should flow like lava but not be too runny.
• Rest Time: Letting the macarons rest until a skin forms is essential for getting those signature “feet” on the bottom of each macaron.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories per macaron: 150 kcal
• Servings: 20 macarons

Time Breakdown:

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling overnight)

These Birthday Cake Macarons are the ultimate sweet treat for celebrations. With their colorful sprinkles and rich buttercream filling, they offer the perfect combination of fun and elegance. Whether you’re making them for a birthday party or just to satisfy a sweet craving, these macarons will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

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