These Clementine French Macarons are a lovely way to enjoy winter's cutest citrus fruit. They offer an incredibly aromatic, juicy flavor in a tiny package.
If you choose the Clementine Jelly filling: Hop to the recipe and follow the instructions to make it. If using store-bought marmalade, skip to making the clementine macaron shells.
If you choose the Clementine Buttercream filling: Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer, and beat for a minute to soften. Add the sifted powdered sugar and mix at low speed to moisten the sugar, then increase the speed and beat until the sugar is well incorporated. Add the clementine zest and juice. Beat at high speed until the buttercream is light and fluffy. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip and refrigerate until ready to assemble the macarons. (The buttercream can be made ahead; refrigerate, but make sure to return to room temperature at least an hour before using.)
For the clementine macaron shells:*Return the egg whites to room temperature at least an hour before making the macaron shells.*
In the bowl of a food processor, add the powdered sugar, almond flour, and clementine zest, and process until the mixture is thoroughly incorporated, 30 seconds to a minute. Sift the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to make sure no lumps or bigger bits of almonds or zest are left.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large stainless steel mixing bowl if using a hand mixer, whisk the egg whites on medium/high speed until frothy. Add a tablespoon of the granulated sugar, continue whisking at medium-low speed, then add the remaining sugar slowly. Increase the speed medium-high and whisk until the egg whites are bright white and create stiff peaks. At low speed, mix in 5 drops orange and 2 drops yellow gel food coloring (or more, to taste).
Using a spatula, gently fold in the almond and sugar mixture into the meringue in 2 or 3 additions. Slide your spatula all the way to the bottom of the bowl and comes back up several times to make sure no pockets of dry ingredients remain.
Transfer the macaron batter in a pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch (1.25-cm) round tip. Pipe 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) rounds of batter, evenly spaced but still close to one another as they will not expand much.
Carefully slide the macaron templates off the baking sheets, if you used them. Let the shells rest on the baking sheets for 20 to 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C) with a rack in the middle position. Bake the macarons for 13 to 16 minutes, rotating the pan after 10 minutes.
Let the shells cool completely to room temperature before assembling them, about an hour.
To assemble the macarons: Pair same sized shells together and set side by side on a work surface.
If using Clementine Jelly filling: Using a small offset spatula, spread some clementine jelly over half of the shells. Close the macarons, gently pressing the second shells over the filling.
If using Clementine Buttercream filling: If using, cut 28 small, flat pieces of fruit jelly and keep close. Pipe some clementine buttercream over half of the shells, following the circumference of each shell to create a circle. Fill each circle with a piece of fruit jelly. Close the macarons, gently pressing the second shells over the filling.
Store the assembled Clementine French Macarons in an airtight container and refrigerate for one night before indulging.
Always bring these Clementine French Macarons back to room temperature before serving.
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