Chocolate Macarons

Whip up a batch of adorable chocolate macarons and treat yourself to a little Parisian luxury, complete with rich shells and creamy ganache!

Macarons (mah-kah-rons) are whimsical, Parisian-style cookies that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Each one is made from two delicate almond meringue shells that encase a sweet center. Don’t confuse them with the coconut-based American macaroons (mac-uh-roons), or even Emmanuel Macron, France’s 25th president! This chocolate version takes it up a notch with rich, chocolate-flavored shells filled with creamy chocolate ganache.

• 105 grams finely sifted or super-fine almond flour, preferably Blue Diamond Finely Sifted Almond Flour
• 95 grams confectioners' sugar
• 10 grams Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder
• 100 grams egg whites, from approximately 3 large eggs
• 100 grams granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 to 2 drops brown gel paste food color

• 6 tablespoons heavy cream
• 4 oz semisweet chocolate
• ½ tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon rum (optional)