Description
Delicate, crisp on the outside, and chewy on the inside, French macarons are a pastry lover’s dream! Mastering these elegant treats takes practice, but with the right technique, you can create bakery-quality macarons at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the macaron shells:
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour
- 3/4 cup (100g) powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together into a bowl to ensure a smooth texture.
- Make the Meringue: In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and food coloring if desired.
- Macaronage (Folding Process): Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula. Continue folding until the batter flows like lava and forms a ribbon when dropped.
- Pipe the Shells: Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe 1-inch circles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Tap the sheet against the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Rest the Shells: Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes until a skin forms on the surface.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake for 12–15 minutes until the shells are set and have formed feet. Let them cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
- Make the Filling: Beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Assemble the Macarons: Pipe the filling onto half of the shells and sandwich them together with the remaining shells.
- Mature for Best Texture: Store macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for a stable meringue.
- Overmixing or undermixing the batter can affect the macaron’s texture.
- Humidity can impact the drying process—make sure your kitchen isn’t too damp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes |
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (plus resting time)
Nutrition
- Calories: 90g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 2g