Chocolate Peanut Butter French Macaroons.

If you're a peanut butter fan, then you'll definitely LOVE these.

The combination of pure dark chocolate and peanuts is a must try.

First time I made these, I over mixed the whites. Failed attempt *sad face*

Guess what happened the second time I attempted? Stupidly I over baked the macaroons. Such a Genius init. Lets hope I don't under bake the next time I give it a go. 

Ingredients for the macaroons

3 medium egg whites 

35g caster sugar

115g icing sugar 

60g almond flour or almond meal

pinch of salt 

2 tbsp dark cocoa powder

2 tsp vanilla essence  

Ingredients for the chocolate ganache

125 ml double cream

10g honey

200g dark chocolate

25g softened butter

Extras

Crunchy peanut butter

Method for macaroons

Place the eggs whites in a stand mixer and whisk on medium speed. Slowly add the caster sugar, the whites should start thickening. Add 2 tsp vanilla essence. The whites should look shiny and stiff enough to be able to turn the bowl upside down without any spillage. It is important you don't over whip.

Meanwhile sift the icing sugar, almond flour and cocoa powder, this should be done twice. Combine all three ingredients together. Add to the egg whites and fold it in, make sure you don't over mix, the mixture should be smooth not runny. 

Pipe the mixture onto a baking tray which has been lined with baking paper. Tap the tray on the work surface around three times, this stops the macaroons from cracking. 

Let the macaroons sit for about 20 minutes before baking. Bake macaroons for 15 minutes.

Method for chocolate ganache

Pour the cream and honey into a pan and bring to the boil gently. 

In a separate bowl break the chocolate up into small bits. Pour the cream over the chocolate a little bit at a time and stir. once all the cream is combined well let it stand for a few minutes. Add the butter and stir together. Let the ganache chill before using. 

Pipe the ganache onto one half of the macaroon, on the other half spread some crunch peanut butter then attach them together. Repeat this process for all of them and enjoy.

Make sure you don't over bake like I did, they still tasted great. Well that's what everyone said *laughs*