May Cookie Carnival: Chocolate Hazelnut Macaron (Updated with Recipe)

 
This is my second time joining the Cookie Carnival.. And the recipe this time round is Macarons.. My past two atttempts at making macarons were not very successful and they turned out really flat with no feet... However, maybe this recipe is good and it turned out really beautiful... I must say I'm really proud of myself.. :)

I'm currently in Australia and this public computer does not allow me to download the recipe to upload it here. However, it is available on the cookie carnival website here: http://www.thecleanplateclub.net/2009/05/cookie-carnival-may-challenge.html


Now that I’m back, I can upload the recipe!!
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HAZELNUT MACAROON SANDWICHES
Williams-Sonoma
Ground blanched almonds can be used in place of the hazelnuts, and apricot jam can be substituted for the ganache.

INGREDIENTS:
* 4 egg whites, at room temperature
* 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
* 1/4 cup superfine sugar
* 1 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1 cup toasted, skinned and ground hazelnuts
* 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
* About 2/3 cup ganache filling (see below) refrigerated until cool and thick enough to spread


DIRECTIONS:

1. Line 2 rimless baking sheets with parchment paper. Have ready a third rimless baking sheet, unlined.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar and beat on medium speed until the whites begin to thicken.
3. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat just until soft peaks form.
4. Slowly add the superfine sugar and continue to beat until stiff, shiny peaks form.
5. Beat in the vanilla until blended. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the hazelnuts and confectioners sugar until incorporated.
6. Scoop the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip.
7. Pipe mounds 1 1/2 inches in diameter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the mounds 1 inch apart.
8. With a damp fingertip, gently smooth any pointy tips. Let the cookies stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 35 to 45 minutes.
9. Preheat an oven to 350°F.
10. Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, putting the cookie-filled baking sheet on top of the unlined baking sheet. (This insulates the top baking sheet so the cookie bottoms do not darken too much.)
11. Bake until the tops and bottoms are firm and golden, 10 to 13 minutes.
12. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, carefully lift the parchment, one end at a time, and sprinkle about 2 Tbs. water under the paper.
13. Be careful that the steam does not burn you and that water does not splash on the cookies. (The steam loosens the cookies from the paper.)
14. After 3 minutes, slide the parchment paper off the baking sheet, peel the cookies from the paper and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
    Turn half of the cookies bottom side up.
15. Spread a thin layer of the ganache filling (about 1 rounded tsp.) over the cookie bottoms. Press a plain cookie, bottom side down, onto the ganache. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
16. Makes about 24 cookies.

 
Chocolate Ganache Filling
INGREDIENTS:
* 6 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
* 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS:
In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and butter.
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream just to a boil. Remove from the heat and immediately pour the cream over the chocolate and butter. Using a handheld whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate and butter melt and are smooth. Let cool until spreadable.
Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

Some tips:
Its really important to let the macarons dry before baking and never over fold the mixture! Try placing it under a fan if possible. When it dries, you can touch it very very gently and it would not leave anything on your finger
Patience!!! This is the most important part!!
The filling can be varied to your liking, but be sure to let the ganache cool a little before piping them into the macaron! Have fun!!

The recipe is available in pdf print copy here:
Chocolate Hazelnut Macaron