Delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons That Wow Every Time

Get ready to impress your friends and family with a delightful treat: Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons! These beautiful, delicate cookies feature vibrant pink hues and a luscious creamy strawberry filling. Imagine sinking your teeth into a light, crunchy shell with a sweet, fruity center. Perfect for baby showers, birthdays, or a cozy afternoon tea, these macarons are sure to be the star of any gathering.

When you make these Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons, you’re not just creating a dessert, but an experience that tantalizes both your taste buds and your senses. The burst of strawberry flavor paired with the creamy cheesecake essence brings joy to every bite. In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to make these macaron masterpieces at home. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Fresh Ingredients: With juicy strawberries and creamy cheese, every bite is bursting with flavor.
2. Ease of Preparation: Follow simple steps, and you’ll find making macarons is easier than you think.
3. Nutrition: Loaded with fresh fruit, these macarons can be a lighter dessert option.
4. Versatility: Change up the filling to suit your tastes and occasions, making them endlessly adaptable.
5. Presentation: Their vibrant appearance makes them an eye-catching addition to any dessert table.
   These reasons combine to create a delightful treat that everyone will enjoy!

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  (Note that times may vary.)

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup Almond Flour (Swap for ground hazelnuts for a twist.)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Use coconut sugar for a less refined alternative.)
• 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar (Consider a sugar substitute.)
• 4 large Egg Whites (Age at room temperature for 24 hours.)
• 1 teaspoon Pink Gel Food Color (Natural beet powder is a great alternative.)
• 2 cups Frozen Strawberries (Fresh strawberries can work beautifully.)
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (Vegan cream cheese is a dairy-free substitute.)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Consider monk fruit sweetener for a lighter version.)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Almond extract can provide a unique twist.)
• 0.5 cup White Chocolate (Use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan option.)
• 0.5 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (Crushed digestive biscuits or gluten-free options are good alternatives.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix almond flour and powdered sugar together. Sift to remove lumps.
3. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar, whisking until stiff peaks form.
4. Add pink gel food color to the meringue and gently mix.
5. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the meringue until just combined.
6. Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
7. Let the piped macarons sit for 30 minutes to create a skin.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, allowing them to cool completely afterward.
9. For the filling, blend frozen strawberries until smooth. Mix with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and melted white chocolate.
10. Pair two macaron shells together with the filling and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

How to Serve

1. Presentation: Arrange the macarons on a colorful platter for a playful touch.
2. Accompaniments: Pair with fresh berries or a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat.
3. Portions: Serve 2-3 macarons per guest for a delightful share.
4. Beverage Pairing: Enjoy with a light tea, sparkling water, or even a refreshing lemonade.
   Your guests will be delighted every way.

Additional Tips

• Enhance flavor by adding lemon zest to the strawberry filling.
• Customize the color of your macarons with different food colorings.
• Offer them with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent touch.

Recipe Variations

1. Chocolate Strawberry Macarons: Add cocoa powder to the macaron batter and use a chocolate filling.
2. Lemon Cheesecake Macarons: Swap strawberries for lemon curd and add lemon zest to the filling.
3. Mixed Berry Macarons: Use a blend of different berries for a vibrant flavor experience.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Place macarons in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Special Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Piping bag with a round tip
• Electric mixer
• Sifter
• Food processor

FAQ’s

1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen strawberries work perfectly for the filling.

2. Are these macarons gluten-free?
Yes, as they are made with almond flour, they are suitable for a gluten-free diet.

3. Can I make these macarons ahead of time?
Absolutely! They can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

4. How can I customize the flavor?
Feel free to experiment with different flavors by changing the fruit in the filling.

5. Is there an alternative cooking method?
Yes, macarons can also be made using a dehydrator for a unique texture.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons are not only a feast for the eyes, but they also bring incredible flavors to your palate. With fresh ingredients and delightful presentation, they are perfect for any special occasion. So, don’t hesitate! Get your ingredients ready and wow your guests with this charming dessert. You can do this!

Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons

Delicate cookies featuring vibrant pink hues and a creamy strawberry filling, perfect for any special occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 12 macarons

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: French

Calories: 110

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Macaron Shells

• 1 cup Almond Flour Swap for ground hazelnuts for a twist.
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar Use coconut sugar for a less refined alternative.
• 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar Consider a sugar substitute.
• 4 large Egg Whites Age at room temperature for 24 hours.
• 1 teaspoon Pink Gel Food Color Natural beet powder is a great alternative.

Filling

• 2 cups Frozen Strawberries Fresh strawberries can work beautifully.
• 8 oz Cream Cheese Vegan cream cheese is a dairy-free substitute.
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar Consider monk fruit sweetener for a lighter version.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Almond extract can provide a unique twist.
• 0.5 cup White Chocolate Use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan option.
• 0.5 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs Crushed digestive biscuits or gluten-free options are good alternatives.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix almond flour and powdered sugar together. Sift to remove lumps.
3. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar, whisking until stiff peaks form.
4. Add pink gel food color to the meringue and gently mix.
5. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the meringue until just combined.
6. Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
7. Let the piped macarons sit for 30 minutes to create a skin.

Baking

1. Bake for 15-20 minutes, allowing them to cool completely afterward.

Filling Preparation

1. Blend frozen strawberries until smooth. Mix with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and melted white chocolate.
2. Pair two macaron shells together with the filling and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Enhance flavor by adding lemon zest to the strawberry filling. Customize colors with different food colorings. Serve with whipped cream for a decadent touch.