Pumpkin Macarons: Recipe and Linky Party!

I enjoy trying new things.  Really...even when they turn out pretty crappy.

I also enjoy pumpkin.  A lot.

So when I get the opportunity to combine the two I do.  And since it's so close to Thanksgiving the opportunity to experiment with pumpkin has been frequent.

I've been playing with macarons lately.  And while I certainly have a LONG way to go....I think most of what I need is practice.  Technique practice.  So while these macarons might be less than perfect, they sure are tasty.

Pumpkin Macarons

*and yes, I weigh it all*
4 oz almond meal or ground almonds
8 oz confectioners sugar
4 large egg whites
2.5 oz caster sugar or fine sugar
pinch of salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 320.  Place egg whites and caster sugar in a bowl of a mixer and beat on low for 2 minutes, medium for 2 minutes, and then high for 2 minutes.  The egg whites should look stiff and dry.  And kinda wrong and curdled.

Sift all dry ingredients together twice and then add to egg whites.  Stir in a folding motion till mixture is honey like.  Make sure to press the batter against the bowl to sort of deflate the egg whites.  The batter should not be runny, but viscous.  It should flow in ribbons from your spatula.

Fill a piping bag with a large round tip (say a Wilton 6) and pipe your macarons on to your baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Rap your tray hard against your counter top about 3 or 4 times on each side.  This will release air bubbles.  (air bubbles = cracking) Let them sit for 30 minutes, then pop them in the oven.  Let them bake for 12 minutes, turning your baking sheets from front to back half way through.

Let them sit for 30 minutes on the counter before transferring them to a cooling rack.  They should come off the parchment paper cleanly.  If they stick they are under cooked.

Fill with your favorite buttercream or ganache and enjoy.  I filled these with a pumpkin buttercream.  :)

In the spirit of pumpkin celebration, I am linking my favorite pumpkin recipes this year.  I hope that you will go check them out.

Pumpkin Pops - Sweet Sugar Belle
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake - Glorious Treats
Pumpkin Ice Cream - Brown Eyed Baker
Vegan Creamy Curried Pumpkin Soup - Joy The Baker
Halloween Cream Cheese Mints - Cookie Artisan
Fall Gender Reveal Party - Bearfoot Baker

I also invite you to link up your favorite pumpkin creations this year!  So here's my first Linky Party!  Appropriate for the Thanksgiving season I think.  :)  Link anything pumpkin related.  Pumpkin recipes, crafts, creations...just has to have something to do with a pumpkin.  :)

If I don't see y'all before Thanksgiving then have a happy one!