18 April 2025
Spiced Garden Macarons (Macaron Jardin Épicé)
Pierre Hermé
A warm, festive macaron inspired by the flavors of Alsace, featuring a chocolate macaron biscuit, spiced sugar, gingerbread macaron biscuit, dark chocolate ganache, and a salted butter caramel with gingerbread spices.
A Festive Macaron Inspired by Alsace ✨
These Spiced Garden Macarons (Macaron Jardin Épicé) bring together the heartwarming flavours of Alsace with the elegance of French patisserie. Think dark chocolate, gingerbread spices, salted caramel, and two contrasting macaron shells—one rich and cocoa-deep, the other warmly spiced and lightly aromatic. 🎄🍫
This macaron is a celebration of texture and flavour: crisp shells, smooth ganache, gooey spiced caramel, and the subtle crunch of spiced crystal sugar. An ideal project for holiday baking or any time you want something luxurious and festive.
A Chocolate & Gingerbread Duo 🤎💛
The recipe features two types of shells:
- A chocolate macaron biscuit enriched with Valrhona cocoa paste for depth and intensity.
- A gingerbread macaron biscuit scented with coffee extract and warm holiday spices.
Together, they create a beautiful contrast in both flavour and colour, making each macaron visually striking and irresistibly aromatic.
Layers of Gourmet Filling 🍫✨
At the centre of each macaron is a luscious pairing:
- Dark Chocolate Ganache — smooth, glossy, and deeply bittersweet for balance.
- Salted Butter & Gingerbread Spiced Caramel — gooey, aromatic, and warming, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
This duet creates a luxurious bite that melts in the mouth and lingers with festive spice.
The Art of Macaron Making 🎨
Crafting this macaron is all about precision and patience—from cooking your sugar syrup to folding the macaron batter just right. Resting the shells properly, whipping the meringue to the perfect stage, and allowing the flavours to mature all contribute to that signature Pierre Hermé refinement.
Letting the assembled macarons rest for 24 hours is essential. This allows the moisture from the fillings to gently soften the shells, creating the perfect chewy center and crisp exterior.
Perfect for the Holidays 🎁
Whether you’re preparing a festive dessert spread, assembling gift boxes, or simply treating yourself to something special, these macarons capture the essence of winter comfort. They pair beautifully with:
- Espresso or hot chocolate ☕️
- Spiced tea blends 🍂
- Mulled wine 🍷
Bring these to a holiday gathering and they’ll disappear instantly!
Final Thoughts ✨
These Spiced Garden Macarons are more than just a baking project—they’re an experience. With their elegant shells, aromatic spices, silky ganache, and indulgent caramel centres, they embody the harmony of French patisserie and festive warmth.
If you love holiday flavours, gingerbread notes, or anything chocolatey and luxurious, this recipe will be a standout favourite. Enjoy the process, savour the aromas, and take your time—because every step builds toward something magical. ❤️🍬
Spiced Garden Macarons (Macaron Jardin Épicé)
Pierre HerméA warm, festive macaron inspired by the flavors of Alsace, featuring a chocolate macaron biscuit, spiced sugar, gingerbread macaron biscuit, dark chocolate ganache, and a salted butter caramel with gingerbread spices.
Chef's Tips
Prepare the macaron batter at least 1 day ahead for best texture.
Use a thermometer to ensure the sugar syrup reaches the correct temperature.
Let macarons rest for at least 30 minutes before baking to form a proper skin.
Tools Used
Mixing Bowls(opens in a new tab)Sifter(opens in a new tab)Stand Mixer Or Hand Mixer(opens in a new tab)ThermometerPiping Bag With Round Tip (#11)Baking Trays(opens in a new tab)Parchment Paper(opens in a new tab)Spatula(opens in a new tab)
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Ingredients
USMetric
Chocolate Macaron Biscuit
Spiced Crystal Sugar
Gingerbread Macaron Biscuit
Chocolate Ganache
Salted Butter and Gingerbread Spiced Caramel
Instructions
Chocolate Macaron Shell
- 1
Melt cocoa paste to 45-50°C.
- 2
Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together.
- 3
Mix food coloring into 55g egg whites, pour over dry mixture without stirring.
- 4
Boil mineral water and granulated sugar to 118°C; begin whisking remaining egg whites at 115°C.
- 5
Pour hot syrup over egg whites while whipping; cool to 50°C.
- 6
Mix some meringue into melted cocoa paste; fold into dry mixture along with remaining cocoa paste.
- 7
Pipe 3.5 cm rounds on parchment-lined trays; rest 30 minutes.
Spiced Crystal Sugar
- 1
Mix crystal sugar and gingerbread spices; reserve.
Gingerbread Macaron Shell
- 1
Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together.
- 2
Mix coffee extract and yellow food coloring into 55g egg whites; pour over dry mixture without stirring.
- 3
Repeat syrup boiling and meringue making process.
- 4
Incorporate meringue into dry mixture.
- 5
Pipe rounds, sprinkle with spiced sugar, and rest 30 minutes.
Baking Macaron Shells
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C convection.
- 2
Bake for 12 minutes, briefly opening the oven twice to release moisture.
- 3
Cool macaron shells on the counter.
Chocolate Ganache
- 1
Melt chocolate to 45-50°C.
- 2
Bring cream to a boil; add to chocolate in three additions, stirring from center outward.
- 3
Add butter; blend for a smooth ganache.
- 4
Chill ganache 4 hours until creamy.
Salted Butter Gingerbread Caramel
- 1
Boil cream with gingerbread spices.
- 2
Make a dry caramel by melting sugar gradually until amber.
- 3
Off heat, add salted butter and hot cream in two additions.
- 4
Cook caramel to 108°C; blend and chill.
Assembly
- 1
Pipe chocolate ganache onto chocolate shells, insert a ball of caramel in the center.
- 2
Top with gingerbread macaron shells and gently press.
- 3
Refrigerate assembled macarons for 24 hours; bring to room temperature 2 hours before serving.
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 macaron
Calories 120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g8%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 20mg1%
Total Carbohydrates 15g5%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Sugars 13g
Protein 2g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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