RECIPE

Port & Stilton Macarons

 

Prep time: 30 minutes


Cook time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SHELL

  • 95g ground almonds
  • 210g icing sugar
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 3 egg whites
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 drops claret food colouring (or 1 drop red and 1 drop blue)

FOR THE PORT JAM

  • 440ml ruby Port
  • 1kg jam sugar
  • Juice of one lemon
  • ½ tsp butter

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

  • 200g full fat cream cheese
  • 100g Stilton

METHOD

  1. To make the shells, sieve the ground almonds, icing sugar and salt into a large bowl. Repeat this step two more times.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add the caster sugar a little at a time until well mixed.
  3. Gently fold the egg whites into the dry ingredients. Add the food colouring and transfer the batter into a piping bag.
  4. Pipe the macarons onto a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray. Make them about 3cm in size. Tap the tray on a worktop 3 times before leaving the macarons to rest for 30-60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 150°C / 130°C (fan) / gas mark 1, whilst the macarons are resting. Bake the macarons in the oven for 15 minutes before transferring them over to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Combine the Port, sugar and lemon juice in a pan over a gentle heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, bring to the boil for 5 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the butter and continue to boil for a further 3 minutes. Transfer the jam to a sterilised jar and leave to cool.
  6. Crumble the Stilton into the cream cheese and whisk until light and fluffy.
  7. Finish by spreading a layer of cheese filling on half of the macarons and a layer of Port jam on the other half before sandwiching them together. Keep refrigerated and enjoy within 3 days.