Weekend Eats: The Zumbo Macaron Tower

The dreaded Zumbo Macaron tower, made famous by Masterchef and Matt Preston’s salivating grin.

While macarons have definitely become something of a fad in recent years, that doesn’t take away from how simply delicious they are, provided that they are cooked properly.

The filling should be creamy and not too runny and the macaron shell should be crisp on the outside and slightly chewy in the middle.

This is one thing I have attempted probably twice, and each time I get better- so it’s definitely a case of practice makes perfect.

This one is even easier because you can use Zumbo’s ready made packets to create the macarons…which are almost idiot proof!

What you will need:

4 x Macarons Dessert Kits (makes at least 40 shells per pack or up to 20 macarons)
Double-ended toothpicks
Polystyrene cone 35cm (14 inches) – available at Spotlight in various sizes including 35cm
120g Butter
1000g Icing Sugar
4 x Eggs
1 x lemon

How to make it:

To Build Macarons

Make as per the instructions on the back of pack and set aside.

To speed up the baking process shells can be baked 2 trays at once if using a fan forced oven. Alternatively must be baked one tray at a time.

Macarons with firm filling works best, soft filling tend to sage and fall off the cone. Store in a fridge in a sealed container for 2hours and for best result overnight before assembling onto tower.

Macarons can be kept in the fridge up to 6 days if placed in the fridge in a plastic container.

Ice Your Cone

In a large bowl, mix icing sugar, egg whites and a squeeze of lemon. Mix together until combined.

Do not over-mix ie, should be ‘lava-like’, not fluffy. Pour mixture over the top of cone through a wire rack (sieve).

Assemble Tower

Insert toothpicks on a slight angle, tilting upwards, into the cone.

Place Macarons on toothpicks, working in a circular motion from the bottom to the top of the cone.

Align macarons “directly on top of each other” ie, perpendicular, building one layer at a time. Note: macarons aligned diagonally eventually creates gaps on the tower which is not what you want.

Total number of macarons required for a 35cm cone is 55. Following this recipe you should have several spare macarons.

Tips From Zumbo

Purchase multiple macaron kits of differing flavours and create delightful looking Macaron Towers. The more colours the better!

See more: zumbobaking.com.au