fall-halloween

For the macarons:

1. First sift the almond flour, powdered sugar, and salt back and forth four times between two bowls using a mesh strainer. Set aside.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Using a pencil, trace 6 Mickey Mouses uses the cutter as a guide, leaving at least an 1″ between shapes. Flip parchment over so that you can still see outlines, but the graphite will not transfer to macarons. Set aside.
   
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add in the egg white and whisk until slightly foamy. Add in the cream of tartar and whisk until soft peaks appear. Then slowly pour in the sugar. Whisk on high until stiff peaks form.
   
4. Sift a third of the dry mixture into the egg whites and fold until barely incorporated, about 10 turns. Repeat twice with remaining dry mix. Mix gently until all of the almond mixture has been absorbed and there are no visible lumps in batter.
5. Add batter into a piping bag and pipe shapes onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Let the batter sit about 1 hour.
   
6. Preheat your oven to 350°f. Place cookies in oven to bake, and then lower the temperature to 300°f. Cook for 17-18 minutes.
7. Let the macarons cool at least 20-30 minutes before decorating.
   

For the filling and decoration:

1. First make the Swiss cookies and cream buttercream frosting by stirring the egg whites, sugar, and salt together over a double boiler (or bowl set over simmering water on the stove), until temperature reaches 160°f.
2. Pour heated egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until glossy, soft peaks form.
3. When the bowl is cool to the touch, add the butter, one piece at a time, whipping between pieces to incorporate butter, but not fully mixing it in.
4. Next, add in vanilla extract and black food coloring. Whip everything on high until smooth.
5. Then, add in 2/3 of the Oreo cookie pieces and stir until well combined.
6. Place the frosting in a piping bag (with either a round tip attached, or just the tip of the bag cut off) and pipe filling onto bottom half of the macaron. *You may have leftover frosting. Storage instructions in notes below.
7. Sprinkle reserved cookie pieces on top of the frosting and lightly press the other macaron to top.
8. Next, melt the white candy melts in the microwave inside a microwave safe bowl, like glass, for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave again for an additional 30 seconds. Keep stirring and microwaving in short bursts of 15-20 seconds until melted and smooth. Use can alternatively use a double boiler for melting.
9. Transfer to a piping bag with the tip cut off, or using a spoon, drizzle over the top of the macaron in a crisscross pattern.
10. Put two small dots of candy melts where you want the eyes and place the M&M’s there. Then make a small dot in the center of the M&M’s.
11. Let the macarons set for about 15-20 minutes then enjoy!