French Macarons made with all your favorite fall spices and filled with a layer of salted caramel along with a swirl of cinnamon frosting. A taste of autumn in macaron form.
Fall is officially here and I’m back with another sweet treat. These fall inspired macarons are sure to have you feeling all warm and cozy.
I don’t get to make macarons that often since they can take quite a bit of planning but I couldn’t resist whipping up a batch to welcome the arrival of fall.
These whimsical goodies are made with all your favorite autumn spices and filled with a layer of salted caramel along with a swirl of cinnamon frosting. A taste of fall in a decadent macaron form.
Cinnamon Apple Spice Macarons With Salted Caramel
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
12 mins
Resting Time
1 hr
Total Time
2 hrs 12 mins
Apple pie spiced shells filled with cinnamon buttercream and salted caramel - these have all your favorite fall spices.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fall dessert recipe, macaron recipe caramel
Servings: 24 filed macarons
Calories: 135 kcal
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 149 g almond flour
- 210 g powdered sugar
- 136 g approx. 4 egg whites aged for 2-3 days
- 81 g superfine sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or substitute with a pinch of each of these spices: nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves
- pinch salt
- 1 drop pink food coloring I used Americolor Soft Gel in Soft Pink
For the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1-1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- salt to taste about 1/8 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce homemade or storebought for filling and garnish
Instructions
For the Macaron Shells:
- Up to 5 days before making macarons, separate the egg whites, cover and store in the refrigerator. The morning of making macarons, set them out on the counter to come to room temperature.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat - if using a template, slide underneath parchment paper before piping. Set aside.
- Sift almond flour into a large bowl. Sift the icing sugar and cinnamon powder into the same bowl. Set aside.
- With a stand mixer or hand mixer, whisk egg whites at medium speed until the egg whites begin to foam. Slowly sprinkle in superfine sugar. Slowly increase speed to medium-high and beat until a firm meringue forms with stiff glossy peaks.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and a drop of pink food coloring.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites. Only fold the batter in one direction by sliding the spatula into the center of the batter, then lifting it up and letting the batter fall back onto itself. It generally takes about 40-45 strokes to work the batter, but this number isn’t as important as how the batter looks. The batter is ready to pipe when it has a smooth, shiny surface and flows like lava in one large ribbon off the spatula.
- An easy way to tell if the batter is done, use a rubber spatula to lift and drop the batter onto itself - if the ribbon gradually disappears into the batter within 30 seconds, it is ready. If not, keep folding a bit longer.
- Transfer mixture to a pastry bag with a plain round tip. (I used the No. 12 Wilton tip).
- Pipe rounds onto prepared baking sheets following the templates if using them, leaving space between the macarons to allow the batter to spread.
- Once all macarons have been piped, pick up the baking sheet with both hands and tap it firmly on counter several times. This will remove any air bubbles.
- Let macarons sit out on the counter for about an hour, depending on humidity levels. The macarons are ready to bake when tops are no longer sticky to touch. Gently slide or remove paper templates from underneath before baking.
- While you are waiting, preheat oven to 300 F. When macarons are dry to the touch, lower the oven temperature to 295 F and bake *both trays at the same time (*if your oven has room, otherwise bake one at a time) for 12-14 minutes, rotating trays once. Let macarons cool completely on parchment paper before removing.
- *Meanwhile make the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
For the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting:
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer or with your hand mixer, cream butter on medium-high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Increase speed to medium, and beat until smooth and well combined for another 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Prepare a piping bag and fill with frosting.
To Assemble:
- Match same-sized macaron shells. Pipe frosting on the bottom shell and with a small spoon, pour 1/4 teaspoon of salted caramel.
- Sandwich the filling with another macaron shell. Repeat for all other macarons.
- Drizzle macarons with salted caramel sauce if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Cinnamon Apple Spice Macarons With Salted Caramel
Amount Per Serving (1 macaron)
Calories 135 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 10mg0%
Potassium 9mg0%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 135IU3%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for more fall inspired recipes? Try these:
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Oana -
Wow, look how that caramel drips off those lovely macarons! Beautiful picture, it speaks for itself! Unfortunately, my gas oven doesn’t have temperature control as much as I’d like it to, so macarons are just a dream for me, with over 4 tries failed so far.
Chris @ Shared Appetite -
Wow macarons!!! I’m super impressed! They are not the easiest things to master, but yours looks spot on perfect!
Von -
I don’t make macarons much either because it’s so true- it does take quite a lot of planning! (especially for what to use the egg yolks for afterwards haha). Love the flavour of your macarons- it sounds amazing!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen -
What a great recipe for macarons Kelly! I love the apple inside and topped with caramel sauce is brilliant! Yum. Pinned!
Zainab -
These are so adorable!!! Love love the spices and the color 🙂
Kelly -
Thanks so much Zainab 🙂