Valentine’s White Chocolate Macarons

Heat oven to 315 degrees F.

To make the paste: In a large bowl, sift together almond flour and powdered sugar. (If using powdered food coloring, mix it now.) Add the egg whites and fold until mixture resembles a paste (If using colored food gel, mix it in now).

To make the meringue: Place  sugar in a small sauce pan and pour the water over it. Do not stir. The sugar will absorb the water. Turn heat to medium high, clip a thermometer to pan and cook without stirring. Using the handle of the pan swirl pot every once in a while. Bring mixture to 240 degrees F.

While syrup is cooking, place egg whites and dehydrated egg whites into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on low until egg whites start to form bubbles. Increase speed to medium and beat until mixture resembles well lathered shampoo. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form.

Remove syrup from heat once it comes to temperature. Turn mixer to low and slowly drizzle syrup down the side of the bowl. Be patient, and don't be tempted to pour the syrup in too quickly otherwise it will harden against the side of the bowl. Once all the syrup is poured in, increase speed to high and beat until meringue is stiff and glossy.

Add half of the meringue to the paste and fold to combine. Add in remaining meringue and fold until batter resembles thick cake batter.

Transfer batter to a pastry bag and pipe onto Silpat. Rap baking sheet on the counter top a few times to get rid of any excess air bubbles.

Bake macaron cookies one tray at a time until macarons do not give when gently pressed and easily peel away from Silpat. Remove from oven and let macarons cool on baking sheet.

To make filling: Placed chopped white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside. In small saucepan over low heat, pour cream in and scraped vanilla bean Cook and stir to a gentle simmer. Remove pan from heat and pour over chopped chocolate. Let mixture sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a sturdy spatula stir mixture until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ganache and transfer to the refrigerator to to chill and thicken for at least 3-4 hours or as long as needed to pipe to thicken consistency.