Description
Pumpkin Spice Macarons are a cozy fall twist on the French classic. With crisp, chewy shells infused with pumpkin pie spice and filled with silky vanilla bean buttercream, these elegant cookies bring autumn flavors to your holiday table. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert, edible gifts, or any fall gathering.
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
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120 g (1 cup) confectioners’ powdered sugar
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110 g (1 cup) fine almond flour
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2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
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100 g (3 large) egg whites, room temperature
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Pinch of salt
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50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
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Orange gel food coloring, a few drops
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream:
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115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
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240 g (2 cups) confectioners’ powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)
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30 ml (2 tbsp) milk or heavy cream
Instructions
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Prep trays: Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
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Sift dry mix: Sift almond flour, powdered sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together.
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Whip meringue: Beat egg whites with salt until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Tint with orange food coloring.
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Macaronage: Fold dry ingredients into meringue until batter flows like lava and forms ribbons.
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Pipe shells: Pipe 1.25-inch circles onto trays. Tap trays to remove bubbles.
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Rest: Let shells sit 30–60 minutes until a skin forms and shells aren’t sticky.
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Bake: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake 15–18 minutes, until shells lift easily. Cool completely.
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Make buttercream: Beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Beat until fluffy.
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Assemble: Pipe buttercream on half the shells, sandwich with remaining.
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Mature: Store filled macarons in fridge for 24 hours before serving.
Notes
Weigh ingredients for best results.
Resting time is essential for smooth shells and “feet.”
Practice improves results—imperfect macarons still taste delicious.
Add a pinch of cinnamon to buttercream for extra autumn flavor.
Shells can be frozen unfilled for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (active) + 30–60 minutes resting
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Française