Description
Delightful French birthday cake macarons blend playful confetti sprinkle charm with classic macaron elegance. Sweet almond shells filled with vanilla buttercream celebrate festive joy while offering a whimsical twist on traditional French patisserie.
Ingredients
Scale
Macarons Shells:
Dry Ingredients:
- 105 g (3.7 ounces) sifted super fine almond flour
- 105 g (3.7 ounces) sifted confectioners sugar
- 3 g (1 teaspoon) egg white powder (optional but highly recommended)
Wet Ingredients:
- 100 g (3.5 ounces) egg whites
- 100 g (3.5 ounces) white sugar
- 1 teaspoon artificial vanilla
Decoration:
- Nonpareils rainbow sprinkles
Birthday Cake Buttercream:
Cake Mix Base:
- 1 cup (130 g / 4.6 ounces) white or yellow boxed cake mix
Butter and Sugar:
- 1 cup (227 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups (360 g / 12.7 ounces) confectioners sugar
Liquid and Flavoring:
- 2 tablespoons (28 g / 1 ounce) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon artificial vanilla
- Pink food coloring
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats, ensuring smooth surfaces for precise macaron formation.
- Meticulously sift almond flour and confectioners sugar together, whisking until completely integrated and lump-free.
- Create a temperature-controlled meringue by combining egg whites, white sugar, and egg white powder in a stand mixer bowl.
- Position the bowl over simmering water, continuously whisking until the mixture reaches 140°F, developing a glossy, stable base.
- Remove from heat and initiate beating at low speed, progressively accelerating to high until stiff, voluminous peaks materialize.
- Incorporate vanilla extract, blending briefly to maintain meringue structure.
- Gently sift dry ingredients into the meringue, using a delicate folding technique to preserve air bubbles.
- Continue folding until the batter achieves a lava-like consistency, capable of forming seamless figure-8 shapes without immediate disintegration.
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag with a round tip, carefully creating uniform 1½-inch diameter circles on prepared sheets.
- Firmly tap baking sheets against the counter to eliminate potential air pockets and disperse any trapped bubbles.
- Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles across macaron surfaces for festive decoration.
- Allow macarons to rest and develop a protective skin, typically 30-60 minutes in a humidity-controlled environment.
- Preheat oven to 300°F (or 275°F for convection), ensuring precise temperature calibration.
- Bake macarons until they develop a delicate, crisp exterior with characteristic “feet” formation, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Cool completely on baking sheets before gently removing, matching symmetrical halves.
- Microwave boxed cake mix in short intervals, stirring to ensure even heating and prevent scorching.
- Whip butter until exceptionally fluffy and light, creating an ideal base for buttercream.
- Gradually incorporate cooled cake mix and confectioners sugar, blending until smooth and creamy.
- Enhance buttercream with heavy cream, vanilla extract, and food coloring for vibrant birthday cake essence.
- Pipe buttercream generously between macaron halves, creating delectable sandwich cookies.
- Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and textures to harmonize, developing optimal taste and consistency.
Notes
- Master the meringue temperature precisely at 140°F for perfect macaron structure and texture.
- Fold batter gently using the figure 8 technique to create smooth, delicate shells without deflating air.
- Rainbow sprinkles add festive birthday cake vibes and delightful visual texture to your macarons.
- Allow macarons to develop a dry skin before baking, which helps create the signature crisp exterior and ruffled feet.
- Refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and achieve the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
- Microwave cake mix carefully and stir frequently to prevent uneven heating and maintain smooth buttercream texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 289
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg