Pistachio Macarons

Ingredients

Almond flour

1 cup

Powdered sugar

1 3/4 cups

Ground pistachios

1/4 cup

Egg whites

4 large, at room temperature

Granulated sugar

1 cup

Green food coloring

a few drops

Unsalted butter

1/2 cup, softened

Pistachio paste

1/2 cup

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, powdered sugar, and ground pistachios until well combined. This mixture will create the base for your macaron shells.
3. In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Add a few drops of green food coloring and gently mix until evenly colored.
4. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites using a spatula. Be gentle to maintain the airiness of the mixture, and continue folding until the batter is smooth and shiny, resembling molten lava.
5. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each, as they will spread slightly.
6. Allow the piped macarons to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to form a skin; this is crucial for achieving the signature 'feet' of the macarons.
7. Bake the macarons in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until they are crisp and firm to the touch. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before removing.
8. For the filling, in a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and fluffy. Add the pistachio paste and continue beating until well combined and smooth.
9. Once the macaron shells are completely cool, match them in pairs. Pipe a generous dollop of the pistachio cream filling onto the flat side of one shell and top with the corresponding shell to form a sandwich. Press gently to spread the filling to the edges.
10. Store the filled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld. They can be enjoyed for up to a week!