2 In The Kitchen: Chocolate Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - CBS 2 is continuing their culinary journey around the world this week. Wednesday's destination is France, and Chef Francois Payard stopped by the studios to cook up macaron ice cream sandwiches.
Chocolate Macaron Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Sandwiches
Makes about 50 macaron ice cream sandwiches
Ingredients
Macarons:
- 3 ½ cups (450 grams) confectioners' sugar
- 4 cups (400 grams) almond flour or finely ground blanched almonds
- 7 tablespoons (44 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 9 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
Ice Cream:
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (or any flavor you prefer)
Preparation
Make the macarons: Place a rack each in the upper and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats. If you have enough baking sheets, double them up (this will prevent the macarons from baking too fast).
Sift together the confectioners' sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder over a large bowl. Stir in 4 egg whites, until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
With a candy thermometer handy, combine the sugar and ½ cup (125 grams) water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. If sugar sticks to the sides of the pot, dip a pastry brush in water and brush the sides.
While the sugar is cooking, put the remaining 5 egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Once the sugar reaches 221°F on the candy thermometer, start beating the eggs on high speed. When the sugar reaches 250°F, pour it into the eggs in a slow stream, with the mixer running, down the inside of the bowl. Continue beating until the meringue is thick and the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch.
With a silicone spatula, gently fold the meringue into the dry ingredients, in 4 increments. Fold until everything is well combined.
Spoon the batter in a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag, and cut a ½-inch opening in the tip or corner of the bag. Pipe the batter into quarter-size circles onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch in between each macaron. The macarons should have a uniform size. Let them sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes, until a skin forms. This will transform into a beautiful crust on the finished macarons.
Put the macarons in the oven, and turn the oven off for 5 minutes. After that time, turn it back on to 400°F, and continue baking for 8 minutes, until a crust forms and they are soft inside. Remove from the oven, and let the macarons cool in the pans.
Assemble the macarons: Turn the silicone baking mat over, and carefully pull it away from the macarons, to free them up. Turn half of the macarons over, so that their flat side is facing up.
Spoon the ice cream in the center of the macarons that are facing up. Gently press the remaining macarons over the ice cream, to make small sandwiches. Try to match the size of the two halves as much as possible.
