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Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat - if using a template, slide underneath parchment paper before piping. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl sift together almond meal, powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
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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.
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Slowly increase speed to medium-high and beat until a firm meringue forms with stiff glossy peaks.
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Beat in the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
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Use a rubber spatula, gently fold the almond meal 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.
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Transfer mixture to a pastry bag with a plain round tip. (I used the No. 12 Wilton tip)
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Pipe hearts or rounds onto prepared baking sheets following the templates if using them, leaving space between the macarons to allow batter to spread.
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Once all macarons have been piped, pick up baking sheet with both hands and tap it firmly on counter several times. This will remove any air bubbles.
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Let macarons sit for 30 minutes to 1 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.
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While you are waiting, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. When macarons are dry to the touch, lower the oven temperature to 295 degrees F and bake *both trays at the same time (*if your oven has room, otherwise bake one at a time) for 14-16 minutes, rotating trays once. Let macarons cool completely on parchment paper before removing.