A colorful candy corn macaron with a yellow bottom, a white top, and creamy orange pumpkin spice filling.
I got a little carried away at the store today. I had this idea to make candy corn macarons for this month’s MacTweets and I went to the store to buy candy corn to dress up the pictures. When I got there, they had ordinary candy corn of course, but this year Bach’s also had Caramel Candy Corn, and Chocolate Caramel Candy Corn, and Caramel Apple Candy Corn. All of which I decided I should take home and try.
But I didn’t stop there – no of course not. There were also candy cane flavored Dots and candy corn Kisses and I thought I should sampled those as well. (Let’s not talk about the two cute packages of Halloween Lindor Truffles that I bought and have hidden in my closet.)
The reason for my apparent current obsession with candy corn is that I hate them. I think they have a horrible, waxy flavor. My husband and my kids seem to like them, but I think they’re pretty nasty.
But I do sort of think of them fondly. They remind me of this time of year – cooler weather and yummy treats. Candy corn always seemed to be hanging around when you were bobbing for apples or eating pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They look so cheery and fun and I really do want to like them.
So when I saw the orange pumpkin spice Kisses I thought they would make a perfect filing for a candy corn mac. A candy corn that would be full of fabulous fall flavor, not waxy and bland with an odd smell. Of course, I wanted to make the top white and the bottom yellow. I tried shaping one in the shape of a candy corn, but it looked more like an egg, so I stuck with round candy corn macs instead.
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I made the Ottolenghi recipe that works well for me. I used half the batter for white and then added yellow to the other half. If I was making two colors again, I would make half a batch of each because the yellow got over mixed and spread much more than the white ones, making it hard to match them up.
I made the filling by melting about 10 Pumpkin Spice Kisses in the microwave at 50% power for about 1 minutes and adding enough powdered sugar to make a thick filling. This really is a perfect mac flavor for fall and so much better than candy corn candies.
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Candy Corn Macaron
Ingredients
- 110 gm powdered sugar
- 60 gm finely ground almond meal/flour
- 60 gm egg whites of 2 eggs
- 40 gm granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 310 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and have a pastry bag with a plain tip (about ½-inch, 2 cm) ready. (Setting the pastry bag in a glass while you fill the bag was a great tip I learned during this process.) (Also, I like to double stack the baking sheets.)
- Combine the powdered sugar with the almond powder. (Pulse in a blender or food processor if you don’t have finely ground almond meal. A mini food processor works best for this if you have one.)
- With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they begin to rise and hold their shape. While whipping, beat in the granulated sugar until very stiff and firm, about 2 minutes. (To test to see if egg whites are ready, whip until the tip of the peak doesn’t fold over when you pull the beater out of the meringue.)
- Carefully fold the dry ingredients, in two batches, into the beaten egg whites with a flexible rubber spatula. When the mixture is just smooth and there are no streaks of egg white, stop folding and scrape the batter into the pastry bag. (You can put a spoonful on a plate to test it. If it slowly flattens out it’s perfect. If it runs, add a bit more almond flour/powdered sugar. If it just stays in a blob, give it a few more folds.)
- Pipe the batter on the parchment-lined baking sheets in 1-inch (3 cm) circles (about 1 tablespoon each of batter), evenly spaced one-inch (3 cm) apart.
- Rap the baking sheet a few times firmly on the counter top to flatten the macarons. Leave out, uncovered for 15 minutes, then bake them for 15-20 minutes. Give the macs a gentle little shake with the tip of your finger to see if they're done. You want them set but not firm. It’s better to undercook them.
- Let cool completely then remove from baking sheet.
So you may be wondering what I thought of the other flavors of candy corn – waxy and nasty. Somehow the Kisses nailed the strange candy corn flavor in their Candy Corn Kisses, but at least it was smooth and creamy and not waxy. The Dots sort of captured the candy corn flavor but in a gummy sort of way.
Be sure and stop by MacTweets on September 20th to see the roundup of long ago & far away memories of the MacTweeters.
anncoo
Lovely clicks and can’t wait to try some. Look so yummy!
Barbara
Isn’t it funny how so many of us have never liked candy corn? I guess perhaps I did as a kid. They remind us that fall is here…those colors.
You’ve done a magnificent job with your macarons, Barbara. And the photos are so adorable! Very clever to use the pumpkin kisses as filling.
Lora
I confess. I love candy corn. I, like Jamie, ate them by color and still do when I can get my hands on some. They are not available here in Germany either. Occasionally friends take pity on me and send me a bag or two. For someone who doesn’t share the candy corn love, your macs came out as a perfect tribute to them. Just adorable. The filling was a great idea.
Jessica @ How Sweet
Ah! Those are just so cute!
bake in paris
Beautiful shot for gorgeous macarons….. love the photo so much!
Sawadee from bangkok,
Kris
Jamie
Um, Barbara? If you have nothing to do with all of that candy, I can give you my mailing address! I adore all of that candy, maybe even more now that I live so far away and only have the chance to buy it once a year or so when I get back. I have always loved candy corns, waxy flavor and all and I remember the eating the chocolate ones when I was a kid (used to nibble off the different flavors/colors strip by strip!). This was a fantastic idea for a macaron and this month’s challenge! Yay! I love everything you do, Barbara! xoxo
BTW you are getting perfect macs, now, every time!
Anna
You are too funny and I completely agree. The candy are gross, just pure waxy sugar, but they are so pretty and to me signify fall and halloween and thanksgiving and golden and red leaves and cool evening walks. Did you try any of the funky variations you got? Were they any good?
Bridgett
I am not a fan of candy corn either but as a kid I sure was. Now my kids love them and I just cringe when they want to share, lol! Your macaroons would be a lovely substitute any day!
Suzanne
So very cute, they look perfect!
elra
How beautiful barbara. The color is so inviting as well.
Cakelaw
These look great!!! I am fascinated by candy corn because they don’t sell it here. Your macarons are perfect.
deeba
Love the macs, and love how inspired they are. I hate candy corn too, and the sisters send my kids some each year at this time. The kids love the candy though!
Ooooh love that you’ve cut over to WP. It’s looking fab Barbara. Will get in touch with you for directions. Did you migrate yourself?
Love how good it looks, and the feet seem to dance in celebration!
Thanks for being with us at MacTweets! xo
Tawny @The Year of The Cookie
I’ve only mad macarons once..and they didnt turn out! I’m jealous cuz these look so cute
faithy
These are lovely Barbara! I love the idea of candy corn..it’s so pretty! I love the shot of your macarons with the different flavors of candy corn even though i’m not very much a candy person..:)
The Southern Cookbook
Woah, I made macaroons today as well. Yours look fantastic. I have to say you have a wide variety of candy corns. Everything looks fantastic.
Megan
We tried out the candy corn flavored dots last year. Pretty yummy, but I could not get over the chewiness. These macarons sound pretty tasty, I mentioned them to my husband and it has been officially added to the “list”! 🙂
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet
I’m jealous of all your different types of candy. I agree your macarons would be way sweeter to receive than candy corn.
Reeni
I am crazy for your macarons! These are so cute. And those kisses sound a lot better than candy corn, which to me are far too sweet and very fake tasting. But I like having them around – they are festive looking!
Mags
Those are the cutest macarons I’ve ever seen! Adorable!
theUngourmet
I’m with you on the candy corn. I’ve never liked the taste but I do think they are so cute! I’d much rather try your yummy macarons!