A Hips & Hearts Cook Book

Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches

Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches

A delightful fusion of French elegance and creamy indulgence, these vibrant macaron ice cream sandwiches come in flavors like lavender, rose, and salted caramel. Filled with smooth lactose-free vanilla ice cream and adorned with edible flowers and gold leaf, these colorful treats are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for a stunning dessert presentation!

Ingredients:

- For the Macarons:
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup almond flour (finely ground)
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Gel food coloring (lavender, pink, salted caramel brown)

- For the Filling:
- 2 pints lactose-free vanilla ice cream (slightly softened)

- For Decoration:
- Edible flowers (pansies, violas, etc.)
- Edible gold leaf

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Macarons:
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together to combine and remove any lumps.
- Whip the Meringue: In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the meringue in batches. Ensure the batter is smooth and flows like lava without overmixing.
- Color the Batter: Divide the batter into three portions. Add gel food coloring to create lavender, pink, and caramel brown macaron shells.
- Pipe the Macarons: Transfer the batter into piping bags and pipe 2 1/2 inch rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Tap the sheets to release air bubbles and allow the macarons to rest for 30 minutes until a skin forms on the surface.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake for 15-18 minutes. Let the macarons cool completely.

2. Prepare the Ice Cream Discs:
- Shape the Ice Cream:
- Line a tray with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Scoop softened lactose-free vanilla ice cream onto the tray and flatten it slightly using a spatula.
- Use a round cookie cutter (the same size as the macarons) to cut out ice cream discs. Gently lift the discs and place them back on the lined tray.
- Freeze the Discs: Place the tray in the freezer and allow the discs to freeze solid, making them easier to handle when assembling the sandwiches.

3. Assemble the Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches:
- Pair the Macaron Shells: Match the macaron shells by size.
- Add the Ice Cream: Place a frozen ice cream disc between two macaron shells.
- Freeze Again: Freeze the assembled sandwiches for at least 1 hour before serving.

4. Decorate:
- Add the Finishing Touches: Before serving, decorate each macaron sandwich with edible flowers and edible gold leaf.

5. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately after decorating, or store in the freezer until ready to serve.