Macaron Graduation Cake Delight (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Vanilla Macaron Shells

01 - 100g almond flour
02 - 105g powdered sugar
03 - 100g egg whites, room temperature
04 - 100g granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

→ Vanilla French Buttercream

06 - 100g granulated sugar
07 - 28mL water
08 - 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
09 - 113g unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
11 - Pinch of salt

# Instructions:

01 - Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar, and set aside.
02 - Heat water in a small pot to create a double boiler. Whisk egg whites and sugar in a mixer bowl over the double boiler until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches 49°C.
03 - Remove the bowl from heat and beat the egg white mixture on high speed using a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla bean paste and mix briefly to combine.
04 - Using a spatula, fold the almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the meringue until the batter ribbons and forms a figure '8' without breaking.
05 - Fill a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip and pipe four 4-inch circles on two baking sheets. Rap the trays on the counter to remove air bubbles. Pipe mini macarons with the leftover batter and add sprinkles.
06 - Preheat oven to 149°C no-fan setting. Bake large macarons for 25 minutes and mini macarons for 7 minutes. Cool shells completely on the tray before handling.
07 - Make a half batch of French buttercream. Heat sugar and water to 115°C, whisk into yolks until pale, then beat in butter and vanilla. Add a pinch of salt.
08 - Place the first large macaron shell face-down on a flat surface. Pipe a layer of buttercream on top using a star tip. Repeat with the remaining layers. Decorate the top with mini macarons.
09 - Refrigerate the macaron cake for at least 4 hours before serving. Remove from fridge 30-60 minutes prior to serving to soften the frosting.

# Notes:

01 - Let the macaron cake chill for several hours to ensure proper texture.
02 - Use a toothpick to remove visible air bubbles from piped macaron batter.