Macarons with Goat Cheese & Walnut Crunch Recipe
Macarons with Goat Cheese & Walnut Crunch are an irresistible twist on the classic French treat, weaving together delicately crisp shells, a tangy-sweet goat cheese filling, and the satisfying depth of caramelized walnut crunch. Each bite is a blissful contrast of texture and flavor, making these macarons perfect for sophisticated gatherings or a joyful afternoon treat. If you’re searching for a show-stopping appetizer or a unique dessert, this recipe delivers elegance with every mouthful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Macarons with Goat Cheese & Walnut Crunch lies in how a handful of thoughtfully chosen ingredients work pure magic together. Each item brings its own character to the party, ensuring every bite is memorable for both taste buds and eyes.
- Almond flour: The base for the macaron shells, it gives an unmistakable nutty depth and smooth texture that’s essential for the perfect bite.
- Powdered sugar: Blends with almond flour to create the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth macaron structure.
- Egg whites (room temperature): Whip up into stiff peaks to give macarons their signature lift and airy interiors.
- Granulated sugar: Stabilizes and sweetens the meringue for glossy, perfectly set shells.
- Cream of tartar: Helps achieve sturdy peaks and maintains structure in the meringue, making shell prep worry-free.
- Gel food coloring (optional): For a pop of color, gel food coloring keeps the batter firm and vibrant.
- Goat cheese (softened): The star of the filling, goat cheese adds tang and creamy richness that’s perfectly decadent.
- Cream cheese (softened): Rounds out the filling, lending smoothness and a milder creaminess.
- Honey: A drizzle of honey balances the tang with gentle sweetness—it’s the secret weapon for flavor harmony.
- Black pepper: Just a hint elevates the filling, bringing the whole flavor profile to life with a delicate heat.
- Walnuts (finely chopped): For the walnut crunch, these add nutty bites and contrast, both inside and out.
- Sugar (for walnut crunch): Melts into a caramel to coat the walnuts, delivering irresistible crunchiness.
- Butter (for walnut crunch): Toasts and enri…
Macarons with Goat Cheese & Walnut Crunch Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
- Yield: 24 macarons (12 sandwiches) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with these savory-sweet Macarons featuring a creamy goat cheese and walnut crunch filling, encased in delicate almond shells.
Ingredients
ScaleFor the macaron shells:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- gel food coloring (optional)
For the filling:
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the walnut crunch:
- ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets. Pulse almond flour and powdered sugar, sift into a bowl.
- Make macaron shells: Beat egg whites, add sugar and cream of tartar, then fold in almond flour; pipe rounds and let rest.
- Bake: Bake shells until set, then cool.
- Prepare walnut crunch: Caramelize sugar and butter, coat walnuts, cool, and chop finely.
- Make filling: Beat cheeses, honey, and pepper until smooth, fold in walnut crunch.
- Assemble: Pipe filling onto shells, sandwich together.
Notes
- Refrigerate filled macarons for 24 hours for best texture.
- Pair with sparkling wine for a delightful experience.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (+ resting)
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
