Hot Chocolate Macarons with Cocoa Buttercream and Marshmallow Topping Recipe

Introduction

Indulge in these delightful Hot Chocolate Macarons—a perfect blend of rich cocoa and delicate almond shells filled with creamy hot chocolate buttercream. They’re an elegant treat that’s surprisingly achievable at home and sure to impress.

The image shows many chocolate macarons arranged on a white marbled surface. Each macaron has two light brown, smooth shells with a soft texture and a thicker dark chocolate filling sandwiched between them. On top of the macarons is a thin, shiny layer of dark chocolate glaze sprinkled with small chocolate shavings and a cluster of small, white mini marshmallows in the center. There are also two white bowls nearby, one filled with mini marshmallows and the other filled with small chocolate shavings. The overall look is neat, with the macarons closely placed together. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Macaron Shells
    • 2 grams egg white powder (optional)
    • 100 grams egg whites
    • 100 grams white sugar
    • 96 grams almond flour
    • 75 grams powdered sugar
    • 14 grams cocoa powder
    • Brown food coloring (optional, to deepen the color)
  • Hot Chocolate Buttercream
    • 5 tbsp unsalted butter (70 grams)
    • 1/3 cup hot chocolate mix (40 grams)
    • 2 cups powdered sugar (250 grams)
    • 2 tbsp chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (21 grams), melted and cooled
    • 2-4 tbsp milk
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Topping
    • 113 grams chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
    • 1/3 cup mini marshmallows
    • 3 tbsp sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare your workspace by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and fitting a large piping bag with a 1/2” round tip. Measure and sift powdered sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder together, then set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a heatproof bowl, whisk sugar and egg white powder (if using) over simmering water until sugar is dissolved and mixture is frothy. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water to avoid cooking the whites.
  3. Step 3: Transfer mixture to a stand mixer. Whisk starting on low, gradually increasing to medium, then high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  4. Step 4: Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula, forming a smooth, shiny batter with a thick, flowing consistency. Add brown food coloring if desired.
  5. Step 5: Transfer batter to the piping bag. Pipe rounds onto prepared trays, then tap trays on the counter to release air bubbles. Pop any remaining bubbles with a toothpick.
  6. Step 6: Let shells rest for 20-40 minutes until the surface is dry to the touch. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300ºF (150ºC).
  7. Step 7: Bake one tray at a time for about 15-20 minutes, rotating the tray after 5 minutes. Finished shells will have feet and should not jiggle.
  8. Step 8: Allow macarons to cool completely before filling.
  9. Step 9: For the buttercream, cream softened butter on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, hot chocolate mix, melted chocolate, and milk, mixing on low to combine, then beat on medium-high until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
  10. Step 10: Melt chocolate for topping. Dip top shells into melted chocolate, then decorate with marshmallows and sprinkles.
  11. Step 11: Fill piping bag with buttercream. Pipe a small amount onto bottom shells, then sandwich with decorated tops.
  12. Step 12: Refrigerate assembled macarons for at least 24 hours to mature before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • If you don’t have egg white powder, you can use fresh egg whites, but be sure they are at room temperature for best results.
  • For a deeper chocolate flavor, try adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the buttercream.
  • Adjust the milk in the buttercream gradually to achieve the right consistency; a little liquid goes a long way.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate for the best taste and color.
  • Letting macarons rest before baking is crucial to develop a smooth shell and feet.

Storage

Store these Hot Chocolate Macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. Avoid heating macarons to preserve their delicate texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A group of chocolate macarons arranged on a white marbled surface, each macaron showing two smooth, glossy chocolate shells sandwiching a creamy chocolate filling in the middle. The top of each macaron is covered with a shiny dark chocolate glaze, decorated with small white mini marshmallows and tiny dark chocolate chips sprinkled evenly on top. There are white ceramic bowls filled with tiny marshmallows and small chocolate chips placed among the macarons, adding texture and contrast. The macarons display a rich brown color with slightly rough edges, and the overall scene is bright and clear. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh egg whites instead of egg white powder?

Yes, fresh egg whites can be used. Make sure they are at room temperature to achieve the best meringue volume and stability.

How do I know when the macaron batter is properly mixed?

The batter should be glossy and flow slowly but steadily off the spatula. When you lift a spatula loaded with batter, it should fall off in a thick ribbon that slowly blends back into the rest. Using the “figure 8” test or the teaspoon test helps confirm readiness.

Print

Hot Chocolate Macarons with Cocoa Buttercream and Marshmallow Topping Recipe

Indulge in these decadent Hot Chocolate Macarons featuring rich chocolate almond shells filled with a smooth hot chocolate buttercream, and topped with melted chocolate, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles. Perfect for chocolate lovers looking for an elegant and delightful treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

  • Author: Caleb
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes plus 24 hours chilling
  • Yield: Approximately 2024 macarons (1012 sandwiches) 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Macaron Shells

  • 2 grams egg white powder (optional, see notes)
  • 100 grams egg whites
  • 100 grams white sugar
  • 96 grams almond flour
  • 75 grams powdered sugar
  • 14 grams cocoa powder
  • Brown food coloring (optional, to deepen the color)

Hot Chocolate Buttercream

  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter (70 grams)
  • 1/3 cup hot chocolate mix (40 grams)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (250 grams)
  • 2 tbsp chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, melted and cooled (21 grams)
  • 24 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • 113 grams chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
  • 1/3 cup mini marshmallows
  • 3 tbsp sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients and Equipment: Gather and measure all ingredients. Fit a large piping bag with a 1/2-inch round tip and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift together powdered sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder; set aside for later use.
  3. Make the Swiss Meringue: Whisk sugar and egg white powder (if using) in a bowl placed over barely simmering water. Add egg whites and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is frothy. Avoid overheating and ensure bowl does not touch water.
  4. Beat Meringue: Transfer mixture to a stand mixer bowl and whisk on low speed for 30 seconds, gradually increasing to medium for 1-2 minutes until white and fluffy. Increase to high speed and whisk until stiff peaks form, shiny with peaks standing straight or with a slight bend.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients and Meringue: Pour sifted dry ingredients into meringue. Fold gently using a spatula in a letter J motion. Add brown food coloring here if desired.
  6. Fold Batter to Proper Consistency: Fold until batter is thick, glossy, and flowing. Test by drawing figure 8 with batter or performing the teaspoon test on parchment paper. Batter should flow slowly off the spatula without breaking or spreading too much.
  7. Pipe Macarons: Transfer batter to piping bag. Pipe circles onto prepared baking sheets following macaron templates. Tap trays on counter to release air bubbles and pop any remaining bubbles with a toothpick.
  8. Dry Macarons: Let trays sit for 20-40 minutes (depending on humidity) until shells feel dry to touch and form a skin.
  9. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 300°F (150°C).
  10. Bake Macaron Shells: Bake one tray at a time for 5 minutes, rotate tray, then continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until feet form and shells have a deeper color and are firm to touch without jiggling.
  11. Cool Shells: Remove trays from oven and allow macarons to cool completely before filling.
  12. Make Hot Chocolate Buttercream: Beat butter on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, hot chocolate mix, melted chocolate, and milk with mixer off, then mix on low until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 30-60 seconds until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Adjust thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar as needed.
  13. Melt Chocolate for Topping: Melt chocolate chips or chopped chocolate until smooth for dipping.
  14. Decorate Macaron Toppings: Dip tops of cooled macaron shells in melted chocolate, then sprinkle with mini marshmallows and sprinkles while chocolate is still wet.
  15. Assemble Macarons: Pipe a small amount of buttercream onto the bottom shell and sandwich with a decorated top shell.
  16. Mature Macarons: Place assembled macarons in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to mature and develop flavor.
  17. Storage: Store macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Using egg white powder is optional but can help stabilize the meringue.
  • Don’t overheat the sugar syrup when making meringue to avoid wrinkling the shells.
  • Proper folding of batter is key to smooth, well-formed macarons; underfold rather than overfold and test consistency frequently.
  • Allow shells to form a skin before baking to prevent cracking.
  • Resting macarons in the fridge for 24 hours after assembling improves texture and flavor, a process called “maturing.”
  • Use a toothpick to remove air bubbles from piped batter to get smooth shells.

Keywords: hot chocolate macarons, chocolate macarons, buttercream filling, French dessert, almond macarons, chocolate dessert

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