Honey Macarons

Ingredients

• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened)
• Honey (1/2 cup)
• Granulated sugar (1/4 cup)
• Egg whites (3 large)
• Powdered sugar (1 3/4 cups)
• Almond flour (1 cup)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour and powdered sugar and process until fine.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites until the batter is smooth and shiny.
5. Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe onto the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the macarons are set and can be easily removed from the parchment paper.
7. While the macarons are baking, make the honey buttercream. In a small saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat until it reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer.
8. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the hot honey and continue beating until the buttercream is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
9. Once the macarons have cooled, pipe the honey buttercream onto half of the macarons. Top with the remaining macarons to form sandwiches.