Mini Chocolate Macarons with Avocado Chocolate Chip Filling

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
Trying to get used to my new oven in Pennsylvania is well, trying. The first large batch of these chocolate shells were a disaster. They developed flat feet and then spontaneously combusted. The ones on the ends of the baking sheet did anyway. Burned beyond recognition. I congratulated myself because I had not had such a spectacular macaron failure in quite some time.

Once I figured out the less hot part of the oven, the next round went better. Then there was the consequent issue of where exactly in the house to photograph them. Still learning where the best light is.

No one who has a country house has a right to complain about anything. Seriously. So I’ll just move on to one of my favorite subjects…avocados.


I can’t get enough of them lately. Slathered on a piece of dark German million grain bread then drizzled with a bit of olive oil with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. At 75 cents a piece in the market recently I over bought and had to find more uses for them.

A quick search revealed Alton Brown’s Avocado Buttercream recipe , the wheels started turning and I was off to the macaron races.

I went with mini sized shells in case the filling flavor did not work but this unusual buttercream with it’s smooth avocado flavor was the perfect complement to the crunchy, chewy chocolate shells. 

Mini Chocolate Macarons with
Avocado Chocolate Chip Filling
For the Chocolate Shells:

I used the Tartelette’s basic recipe. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.

Ingredients:
  • 90 grams of egg whites – aged at least 2 days. Let them sit out on the counter uncovered.
  • 25-50 grams of fine granulated sugar
  • 200 grams of powdered sugar (minus 2 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 110 Grams of almond flour*
*You can buy almond flour that has been ground with or without the skin. I use the later (blanched). The former looks really nice if you are not coloring the shells. You can also grind your own almond flour by putting whole or sliced almonds in a food processor or blender. If you do, make sure you throw a little of the powdered sugar in to prevent the almonds from forming a paste.
Directions:
  • Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together or pulse them together briefly in a food processor. Make sure there are no large pieces.
  • Remove 2 tablespoons of the mixture, discard and replace with the cocoa powder. Set aside. 
  • Whip the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, slowly add the sugar. Continue whipping until you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing slides out. (I also add a pinch each of salt and cream of tartar)
  • Add the powdered sugar/almond/cocoa mixture to the egg white mixture and fold, using quick strokes at first then slow down.  No more than 50 strokes all together. The batter should have a “flowing like lava” consistency.
  • Fill a Pastry bag and pipe small circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a Silpat.
  • Let the macarons dry until they harden a bit.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • I keep the oven door propped open with a dish towel or wooden spoon. Try to refrain from obsessive peeping to see if they get feet. 
  • Let cool completely and then match up the shells into pairs according to size and pipe in the filling.

For the Avocado Chocolate Chip Buttercream:

I halved the amount of Alton Brown’s Recipe  and mixed in 3/4 cup of cute mini chocolate chips.

You may also like

13 comments

Anonymous January 16, 2014 - 5:19 pm

I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I
am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else
know such detailed about my trouble. You're wonderful! Thanks!

Also visit my web page – GCA Green Coffee – peeter.partel.ee

Reply
Paula August 12, 2012 - 5:01 pm

I agree, no one in the country has a right to complain about anything! We are lucky folk. Having said that, I'm jealous you got avocados for 75 cents each!! Sorry your first batch of macs met with a cranky oven but those that made it to the photo shoot look amazing. Can always count on you to come up with a unique filling.

Reply
wendy@chezchloe August 12, 2012 - 2:27 pm

Well I've been wanting to try some avocado/chocolate mix- I was thinking a raw cake but this is indeed intriguing as Jamie said. Did the avocado filling firm up without butter? And how would that be if you added a little butter? hmmm… very interesting.

Reply
Jamie August 11, 2012 - 11:58 am

Oh my these macs look stupendous! Courageous you for starting over until they were perfect! The shells look prefect and scrumptious and beautiful with the green of the filling. And avocado buttercream? I am intrigued!

Reply
Blogs August 9, 2012 - 6:39 pm

Hello,

We bumped into your blog and we really liked it – great recipes YUM YUM.
We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.

We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
enjoy your recipes.

Petitchef is a french based Cooking recipes Portal. Several hundred Blogs are already members
and benefit from their exposure on Petitchef.com.

To add your site to the Petitchef family you can use http://en.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form or just go to Petitchef.com and click on "Add your site"

Best regards,

petitchef.com

Reply
angela@spinachtiger August 7, 2012 - 9:34 pm

One day I threaten to make macarons. One day in my not country house. 🙂

Reply
Lora August 7, 2012 - 9:46 pm

You are invited to mine 🙂

Reply
Lauren August 7, 2012 - 1:58 pm

Avocado buttercream! I totally would never have thought of that. Paul's got an avocado tree that he's been tending for the last couple of years or so (it evidently takes at least three years before they fruit). Hopefully at some point we'll have more avocados than we know what to do with because we both love love love them.

Don't you love how every oven has a distinct personality?

Reply
Lora August 7, 2012 - 9:48 pm

When I lived in La I used to fight the squirrels for the avocados fro the tree in my yard. Tell Paul to prepare for battle when they arrive.

Reply
Deborah Mitchell August 7, 2012 - 12:57 pm

Ok Missy. I love avocados but would never have thought of combining them with chocolate. I have to say, this sounds pretty tasty!

As always beautiful pics, and you'll figure out the country light situation one weekend at a time 🙂

Reply
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons August 7, 2012 - 3:01 pm

Off to the macaron races – love it, Lora; and always adore your creativity even getting around oven characters. Chocolate and avocado? Pourquoi pas? Fabulous!

Reply
Lora August 7, 2012 - 9:49 pm

Thanks Jill. That is a supreme compliment coming from a Maconista like you.

Reply
Victoria August 7, 2012 - 1:05 pm

Avocado! I bet the texture is delightful.

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.