Mermaid Macaron Cake
🧾 Ingredients:
For Giant Macaron Shells (makes 2):
- 200g powdered sugar
- 200g almond flour (finely ground)
- 150g egg whites (aged, room temperature)
- 200g granulated sugar
- 50ml water
- Food coloring gels (lavender, teal, pink—gel type is best)
For Buttercream Filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla or coconut extract
- Gel colors (optional, to match mermaid theme)
Optional Decorations:
- Mermaid tail toppers (fondant or chocolate)
- White chocolate seashells
- Edible pearls, shimmer dust, sprinkles, gold leaf
- Crushed cookies dyed blue/green for “sand”
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Macaron Shells (Italian Meringue Method):
Prep Dry Mix:
- Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together in a large bowl.
- Add half of the egg whites (75g) and mix to a thick paste.
Make Sugar Syrup:
- In a saucepan, boil granulated sugar and water until it reaches 118°C (244°F).
Whip Egg Whites:
- While syrup is boiling, whip the remaining 75g egg whites to soft peaks.
- Carefully pour hot syrup into whipped whites while beating on medium-high until glossy and stiff (like meringue).
Macaronage:
- Fold meringue into almond paste in 2 parts. Divide batter into 2–3 bowls, tint each one with different mermaid colors (pink, teal, lavender).
- Swirl or streak the colors back into one piping bag (to get that multi-tone shell).
Pipe:
- Pipe two large circles (about 7–8 inches) on parchment-lined baking sheets. Tap tray to release air bubbles.
- Rest at room temp until surface is dry to the touch (30–60 mins).
Bake:
- Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 18–22 minutes, rotating halfway through.
- Let cool completely before removing.
2. Make Buttercream Filling:
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Optional: Color in pastel swirls to match shells.
3. Assemble the Cake:
- Pipe or spread buttercream onto one cooled macaron shell.
- Add edible pearls, sprinkles, or mini white chocolate seashells inside.
- Gently place second macaron shell on top.
4. Decorate:
- Pipe swirls of frosting on top using star tips.
- Add mermaid tails, pearls, glitter, gold leaf, and themed sprinkles.
- Dust with shimmer powder or edible glitter for an under-the-sea sparkle.
