I luuuv me a good hot cocoa, so it’s no surprise that I’m cookie-fying it! I always ease into my holiday baking with coffee and hot chocolate inspired treats – I think warm drinks feel like more of a fall AND winter thing, as opposed to like… peppermint, which is just straight up Christmas.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m not a macaron expert. I have brute forced my way into being able to make successful batches, but it took many a failed batch (and I still have fails every now and then!). So if you’re looking for an in depth macaron tutorial, this is not the place to go! However, this recipe will work for you if you follow the steps and have some patience.

To make these hot cocoa macs, I went for a chocolate macaron shell and a rich chocolate ganache filling with a dollop of marshmallow fluff! Topped with a chocolate drizzle and some extra mini marshmallows, these cuties not only look the part but taste just like a mug of hot choc.

Pro tip: add a dash of espresso powder to your ganache to bring out the chocolate flavour. If you use just a pinch (about half a teaspoon), it won’t taste like coffee but it will richen the ganache!

Here’s a short video showing the process:

Happy baking!

Print Recipe

Hot Cocoa Macarons

These Hot Cocoa Macarons are like hot chocolate in cookie form, with a rich ganache and gooey marshmallow filling that's absolutely divine!

Servings: 12 macarons

Ingredients

For the Macarons:

65 g egg whites at room temperature
34 g granulated sugar
52 g almond flour
104 g icing sugar
8 g cocoa powder

For the Filling:

36 g heavy cream 35% fat
71 g dark chocolate 70% cocoa or your preference
1/4 tsp flakey sea salt
Approximately 1/4 cup marshmallow fluff

For the Decor:

1/4 cup dark chocolate for drizzling
1/4 cup miniature marshmallows

Instructions

Sift together the almond flour, icing sugar, and cocoa powder in a bowl.
In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they start to foam. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat. Keep whipping until you reach stiff peaks. The mixture should be glossy and hold its shape.
Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the meringue. Be careful not to overmix; you want a smooth, thick batter. This is called the macaronage process.
Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small rounds (about 2 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave some space between each macaron.
Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to form a skin. You will know they are ready when you can lightly press on the top of the shell and it is no longer sticky. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
While the macarons are resting, heat the cream until it's almost boiling. You can do this on the stove or in the microwave. Pour it over the dark chocolate and let it sit for a minute. Stir until smooth, creating a ganache. Add the salt, and stir. Set this aside to thicken, until it's about the same texture as peanut butter.
Once the macarons have developed a skin, bake them in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before trying to remove them.
Once the macarons have cooled completely, match them up by size. Pipe a ring of chocolate ganache around the border of one shell, then pipe a small dollop of marshmallow fluff into the centre. Sandwich with another macaron shell.
Melt the 1/4 cup of dark chocolate and drizzle it over the macarons. Add miniature marshmallows on top for extra hot cocoa flair.
Allow the macarons to set in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. This helps the flavours meld and greatly improves the texture.

Notes

Macaron Size: Keep in mind that macarons can be made in various sizes. Adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller macarons may require a shorter baking time, while larger ones might need a bit more.
Humidity Factor: Macarons can be sensitive to humidity. If you live in a humid environment, it’s advisable to make macarons on dry days or use a dehumidifier in your kitchen to help with the process. I use a fan to blow onto my macaron shells on humid days to help the skins form.
Storage: These Hot Cocoa Macarons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The macarons tend to get even better after a day or two as the flavours meld.
Serving: For the best taste and texture, allow the macarons to sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the ganache and marshmallow filling soften slightly and enhances the overall experience.