Christmas Choc Mint Macarons – w Lucky Nuts

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Mint Macarons

I feel a little like Santa because at the end of the story I will be announcing the 5 winners of the Philadelphia Cream Cheese scrumptious “Simply Heaven Vol 3” dessert cookbook.

Simply Heaven Vol 3

Yes I am more than a little early for Christmas, but in my defense, I have been receiving all these lovely gifts from sponsors so it’s feeling like Christmas in the Gourmet Getaways household. One such gift was a Christmas package filled with nine different packs of “Lucky” nuts and a Christmas recipe book.

Lucky Nuts Baking Package

Christmas is such a busy baking time for me, and I always buying truck load of “Lucky Nuts” so I was over joyed to receive  this package. I mentally tagged each packet with a recipe that I could make.

Christmas Choc Mint Macarons

When I see ground almond I immediately think of macarons so there was no question what I would make with the almond meal. It had to be a Christmas Macaron.

Macarons are one of those temperamental treats that are quite simple to make if you have good quality ingredients at the right temperature.  The main ingredient is ground almond, so I only ever use Lucky Nuts.

I have heard about to many macaron disasters to try any other brand.  The nuts need to be fresh from the pantry as refrigerated nuts will stop the macarons from rising and getting their cute little “feet”.

Christmas Macaron & Candy Canes

If you are a regular reader you would know that I recently had the opportunity to try the new Philadelphia Cadbury’s Frosting. It is a little embarrassing, but I have been lovingly spooning my way through copious amounts of the Cadbury chocolate frosting since then.

Philadelphia Frosting w Cadbury Chocolate

I guess it is no big leap to see how I came to realise the Philadelphia Cadburys Frosting would make the ideal, no fuss filling for my Lucky Nuts Mint Macaron.

Christmas Macaron Trio

So there you have it, Christmas Chocolate Mint Macarons! A collaboration of some of the amazing food packages I have been sent this week.

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites (at room temp)
• ¼ cup caster sugar
• 1 t/s peppermint essence
• 1 ¼ cup pure caster sugar
• 1 cup Lucky Nuts ground almond meal (at room temp)

Filling:

• 1 pkt Philadelphia Cadbury Frosting

Method:

Beat egg whites in an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Gradually add the sugar bit by bit. Each addition of sugar should be fully dissolved before more is added. Increase the speed of the mixer with each addition of sugar until it is on full speed.

Scrape the sides down and beat the egg whites until glossy and all the sugar has dissolved.

Mix in the peppermint essence.

Meringue for Macarons

Remove the beaters and add sifted icing sugar and the almond meal.

Fold through the egg white mixture carefully.

Making Macarons

Once fully combined pipe the macarons onto the prepared baking tray.

Piped Macarons

Allow the tray to stand for 20minutes on the bench whilst the oven heats. This allows the outer shell

to form.

Heat the oven to 130 degrees.

Cook the macarons for 20 mins or until hollow when tapped.

Allow the macarons to cool in the oven with the door ajar.

Store the macaron shells in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Chocolate Macarons

When you are ready to serve pipe or spoon the Cadbury frosting onto one side of the macaron and sandwich it together with a similar sized pair. This should only be completed at the time of serving. The piping bag can be filled and refrigerated ready for use.

I Love Macarons

If you like a stronger peppermint flavour, add crumbled candy cane to the centre of the macaron.

Dust with icing sugar.

Macarons w Three Candy Canes

Now I have a question, when you think of Lucky Nuts, what is the first recipe that comes to mind? I read this story to Mr GG and his first response was Baklava.  I have to admit, I went through a time of baking and eating whole slabs of this nutty dessert. Perhaps that will be the next “Lucky Nuts” dessert I share with readers.

If you have a favourite lucky nuts dish why not let me know…

Chocolate Macarons with Santa Napkin

…and now to the 5 lucky “Simply Heaven Vol 3″ Prize Winners!

Paula F

Cristina

Hi Julie: Thanks for sharing about these cream cheese flavors and those adorable cake push ups! I don’t think I’ve seen those cream cheese frostings in our stores yet – I’ll be on the look-out for them. I luv, luv those push up desserts and will have to try those for sure.

Chocolate & Mint Macarons

I am sure there is going to be a lot of baking going on over the Christmas period in these households. Remember in your cooking adventures to support our lovely sponsers, Lucky Nuts and Kraft Philladelphia Cream Cheese.

If you are one of the lucky prize winners could you please email your postal address to advertising@gourmetgetaways.com.au

The Lucky Nuts component of this story is a ”Product Talk by Nuffnang”  Whilst this is not a paid sponsored post, Gourmet Getaways has received product in exchange for writing a review. All opinions in this story are honest, and accurately reflect the writer’s opinion.

Gourmet Getaways would also like to thank Kraft Philadelphia for the Simply Heaven Baking Pack. The opinion expressed in this article is my honest and considered personal opinion.  I trust readers will sample the Cadbury Philadelphia Frosting and enjoy the product as I have.