Red Velvet Macarons

Ingredients

• Powdered sugar - 1 cup
• Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
• Butter - 1/4 cup, softened
• Cream cheese - 8 ounces
• Red food coloring - 1/2 teaspoon
• Granulated sugar - 1/4 cup
• Egg whites - 3 large
• Cocoa powder - 1 tablespoon
• Powdered sugar - 2 cups
• Almond flour - 1 cup

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Process until fine.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Beat in the red food coloring.
4. Fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites until the batter is smooth and shiny.
5. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe the batter onto the prepared baking sheets in 1-inch circles, spacing them 1 inch apart.
6. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to develop a skin.
7. Bake the macarons for 15 minutes, then let them cool completely on the baking sheets.
8. While the macarons are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth.
9. Once the macarons are cool, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting onto the flat side of half of the macarons. Top with the remaining macarons to form sandwiches.