Macaroons From Bilbao: A Delicious Recipe From The Basque Country

It might sound a bit confusing, but macaroons from Bilbao have nothing to do with Italian macaroni. They only have a few ingredients in common with French macaroons.

This recipe is very interesting because it is not the typical macaroons that everyone knows. Rather, it is about a famous dessert called Macaroons from Bilbao.

Learn how to make them at home in our article because they are really delicious!

In Spain this sweet is served mainly on the name day of San Blas, or on the following days. They are usually eaten with marshmallow caramels.

On this day necklaces are also consecrated in the church, in which the image of the saint is located. It is said that you have to eat the candy for 9 days with the chain around your neck so that the saint will protect your throat all winter long.

These macaroons are made from egg whites, ground almonds, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. However, they are not the typical French or Italian macaroons. They are made very differently and look different too.

Don’t worry, we’re also sharing a recipe for French macaroons so you know how to make the two and decide for yourself which you like better!

Now let’s stop wasting time and learn quickly how to make these delicious sweets.

Recipe for macaroons from Bilbao

You don’t need to come from the Basque Country to enjoy these delicacies. They make a great dessert and can also be enjoyed with coffee.

ingredients

• 1 cup of ground almonds (150 g)
• 4 spoons of sugar (60 g)

• 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g)
• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 spoon of cinnamon powder (8 g)
• 1/2 spoon of lemon juice (8 ml)
• 1 spoon of butter (20 g)
• 1 spoonful of wheat flour (15 g)

preparation

• First you need a medium-sized bowl in which you mix the ground almonds, powdered sugar, and cinnamon powder together.
• Then slowly add the egg white and lemon juice. Use the hand mixer to stir a sticky, compact dough.
• Then smear a baking sheet with butter and dust it with flour so that the macaroons from Bilbao don’t stick to it later.
• Now take a little dough and shape it into small balls.
• Then sprinkle a little sugar on a plate and bread the macaroons in it. However, try not to shape them too large so that they all fit together on the baking sheet.
• Before going into the oven, you should flatten the balls a little more with your hand. They then rise again in the oven.

• Heat the oven to 180 or 190ºC and bake the pastries for about 10 minutes.
• Then take them out of the oven, let them cool down a bit and serve them warm with a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.

French macaroon recipe

French macaroons are colorful cookies that are also made from egg whites, powdered sugar and ground almonds. That is why they are often confused with the macaroons from Bilbao. However, they have no filling.

Ingredients for the French macaroons

• 4 egg whites
• 2 cups of powdered sugar (240 g)
• 1 1/2 cups ground almonds (225 g)
• 1 pinch of salt (5 g)
• 2 drops of herbal dye

Ingredients for the filling

• 2 cups of powdered sugar (240 g)
• 1 cup butter (200 g)
• 1 spoonful of vanilla essence (15 ml)
• 2 spoons of whipped cream (30 ml)
• 1 spoon of grated organic lemon peel (15 g)
• 1 spoon of cocoa powder (15 g)

Preparation of the macaroons

• First, beat the egg whites in a bowl with the salt and powdered sugar until stiff.
• Then add the ground almonds and the vegetable color (depending on the color you want). Now put this dough in a dough syringe.
• Then cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and shape the macaroons with the help of the pastry syringe. Make sure to leave a little space between each macaroon so that they don’t stick to each other while baking.
• Finally, let them bake at 200ºC for 10 minutes. When the baking time is complete, take them out of the oven and let them cool while you prepare the filling.

Preparing the filling

• First, beat the butter until it becomes creamy and add the powdered sugar, vanilla and cream.
• Then add the grated lemon peel and cocoa powder.
• Then coat the macaroons with the filling as if they were a sandwich and serve them fresh.

Now you have two different recipes for delicious pastries. Good Appetite!