• Chocolate Macaroons
• 
  
• 100 g blanched whole almonds
• 700 g icing sugar
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• Whites from 3 large eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 4 fl oz double cream
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 125 g  dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 100 g unsalted butter, softened

Pre-heat the oven 200C / 400F / gas 6.  Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Macaroons

Pulse the almonds and 500 g icing sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add cocoa and remaining icing sugar pulse until well blended.

Beat egg whites and salt in a large bowl with mixer on medium-high speed until whites form soft peaks when beaters are lifted. Add granulated sugar and beat just until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted. With a whisk or rubber spatula, gently fold in almond mixture. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe 1-in.-diam mounds about 2 in. apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, 6 to 8 minutes, until tops look dry but macaroons are still slightly soft to the touch.

Transfer, still on parchment or foil, to barely dampened kitchen towels. Let cool 5 minutes. Carefully peel paper off macaroons and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Sandwich with chocolate spread and gently press together