I thought I’d end the first week of Spring with something to celebrate with…and what better than citrus inspired flavors in a macaron and using some liqueur in its filling? Oh yes! This is kind of a happy hour/dessert, grown-up macaron, if you will.
The filling is light and fluffy, not like a buttercream. The macaron shells are sweet on its own, so this lighter filling compliments that sweetness. The orange flavors from the juice, zest and liqueur intensifies after being sandwiched between the macaron shells and refrigerated, at least overnight. Be patient to let those sweet and sophisticated hints of various orange flavored sources come through in good time.
See the Chocolate French Macaron post for recipe details, resources and notes on the macaron shells. The filling will make much more than you’re going to need if you follow the macaron recipe I use. However, this filling won’t go to waste! I have several suggestions and ideas to make this filling versatile in my notes below.
- Please Note: This is not a child or minor-aged friendly dessert due to the alcohol used in the filling.
- For the macaron shells, I used a small amount of food color paste/gel (a couple of toothpick dips), to merely tint the meringue. I didn’t want an intense orange.
- I coarsely chopped up some pistachios and placed a couple on each shell before baking.
- As you’re mixing the filling ingredients and sampling its flavor, remember that the flavor will intensify when it’s refrigerated.
- Adding another tablespoon of orange juice wouldn’t hurt.
- What to do with leftover Citrónge Orange Liqueured Macaron Filling: Serve on the side of French toast, waffles and/or pancakes; serve a dollop on evening fresh fruit; use as a cupcake frosting or serve alongside a complimentary cake.
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice (better with the pulp)
1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest
2 tablespoons Patrón Citrónge Orange Liqueur
Orange food color paste (optional)
Using a hand or stand mixer (for the stand mixer use the whisk attachment), beat the whipping cream on high until stiff peaks can be formed. Optional: Add food coloring to desired color intensity, using a wooden toothpick to dip in the color and mix into the whipped cream.
Add the powdered sugar and mix only until blended. Add the juice, zest and the liqueur and mix until blended.
With a rubber spatula, transfer the filling to a prepared pastry bag.
Pipe the Citronge Orange Liqueured Macaron filling on the flat side of a macaron shell and sandwich with the other half. Continue with the rest of the shells.
Store any leftover filling in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
TeenieCakes.com promotes the responsible and legal consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly.
¡Salud! (Spanish for “Good Health!” )
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Oh my gosh your macarons are gorgeous!!!! I love the flavour combination and I love all your tips on making them. I love the idea of using the left over filling with French toast.
I love French macarons says
These macarons pics are beautiful and I can tell the shell is great because it looks smooth, not “bumpy”. I saw many recipes where the macarons are good but the shells does not look so good because too much air must have been trapped while blending the ingredients. Tip: use a pastry scrapper to press down the batter a dozen times prior to pipping out.
bunkycooks says
Hi Cristina, your macarons are just perfect and I love the flavors in the filling.
Joy says
Those look wonderful.
Mamaloli says
Lovely Macarons! I can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
Sortachef says
Beautiful offering, Cristina. I love how your photography has gone into the pastel zone… never seems to work for me! Kudos on another great post!
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen says
These macarons look so pretty! I love the color and the orange flavor.
Lindsay @Eat, Knit, Grow says
Beautiful! I have been craving macaroons and you just inspired me to get it together and bake some! Looks delicious
Diaczun Style says
These look great! Love the photos and the flavor combination.
Karen says
These are just gorgeous! Love the liqueur in them…must give it a nice extra boost of flavor!
Ryan says
What a beautiful blog– such gorgeous photos and delicious treats! I look forward to following. I am so impressed by the macarons. They turned out perfectly!
Rachel says
Cristine – These are the most gorgeous macarons I have ever seen, and I’m sure they’re just as delicious as they are beautiful!
Stella says
Props on your piping skills! Those are some psychotically uniform macarons, perfectly equidistant from each other! I always rush and they end up spaced irregularly, which doesn’t really hurt the macarons, but prevents me from having a nice photo of them lined up on the sheet pan! 🙂 Well done!
Helene says
I have never made macarons and I really want to master it. They are gorgeous. You are so talented.
Jeannie says
So sweet and pretty looking macarons…I love these!
Becky says
Congratulations on the Top 9 today!
Kim - Liv Life says
Simply perfect!! Lovely photos, and the orange liquor is my dream. I made my first set of macarons about a week ago and am eager to try again, these flavors have my name all over them!! Wow!!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says
What stunning little peices of artwork! I bet these macarons are just lovely with the citrus flavors. Great photos!
egb says
Beautiful! Great job. I know how tricky it can be to make macarons look beautiful.
Kate @ Diethood.com says
Wow, they are gorgeous! They look like I can just pick them off the screen… don’t I wish! Beautiful job, as always.
Liz says
Oh, gosh, you have mastered the macaron…gorgeous, just gorgeous~
Sara says
Oh my goodness these are probably the most beautiful macarons I’ve ever seen. I like that you did not make them of a flashy orange color. In this way they look more like fruit tree flowers. Totally spring! I’ll head over to Georgia’s blog (that I already read religiously) too and say hi.
Magic of Spice says
These are perfect and beautiful, will stop over to see your guest post 🙂
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
Hello Christina! WOW. The photographs are AMAZING! I am not a baker, but I do love sweets! One day I wish I can bake all these yummy sweets for my kids (and myself!). I’ll follow you on twitter and facebook! Thanks!
little j @ whiskitgood! says
Beautiful macarons!!
Dee says
These look lovely! I have never made Macarons but I really want to. I’ll have to tackle these!
The Rowdy Chowgirl says
These are insanely gorgeous! And I know I could never pull them off. Sigh!
Jill@MadAboutMacarons says
I can’t help seeking out macarons: your macarons are just so beautiful and the flavour sounds so good. Beautiful presentation, too. My goodness, that with a pot of fab tea or a glass of something bubbly… HEAVEN!! Bon weekend.
Miriam/The Winter Guest says
So beautiful!! I love the color.
Jean says
These macarons are absolutely beautiful! They’re brimming with Spring colors–I can only imagine the bright citrusy flavors! Yum!
Lora says
Simply gorgeous macarons. I want to eat them off my screen but they’re too pretty!