Pretty, delicate, and special, macarons are sure to impress. I love making my homemade macaron recipe for treats for the kids’ birthdays or when we have an occasion to celebrate because French macarons bring that WOW-factor to the table. And believe me, they are much easier to make than you think!
Best Macaron Recipe
The best macaron recipe makes this dainty dessert easy to create in your kitchen. You can make them any colors you wish with the help of food coloring. Make a rainbow! You’ll have as much fun making these as you will eating them!
Homemade Macaron Ingredients
- Egg whites – The whites of eggs are what help give these French cookies their delicate texture.
- Almond flour – While you’ll get super-fine, you’ll still need to use a sieve.
- Sugar and powdered sugar – You need both kinds to sweeten things up.
- Vanilla extract – And this will round out that sweetness for traditional vanilla macarons.
- Cream of tartar – Helps stabilize those egg whites.
- Food coloring – To make your French macarons pretty! These pink macarons are perfect.
- Buttercream macaron filling recipe – It’s easy (and more delicious!) to make it yourself with unsalted butter, vanilla extract, confectioner’s sugar, heavy whipping cream, and just a pinch of salt!
In a cookie cutter world, be a macaron.
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Easy Macaron Recipe
Macarons have such a dainty texture and pretty presentation that you’d think you’d need to be a full-fledged baker to make them. But this easy macaron recipe ensures that even if you’ve never baked before, you’ll get it right!
How do you Make Macarons from Scratch?
There are a number of steps here but don’t let that stop you. You’ll sift the almond flour, then the confectioner’s sugar into the same bowl. You’ll then add egg whites at room temperature to another bowl and use your hand mixer until they get foamy. After that, the cream of tartar goes in and then gradually, the granulated sugar, followed by the food coloring and vanilla extract.
Stiff peaks will form and then you can put the dry ingredients in folding gently. The result is something that will resemble wet sand. Place this in a piping bag and pipe it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit for a bit then bake.
They’ll need to cool and that’s when you’ll make the buttercream. Once it’s ready, you can assemble your macarons!
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Macarons Every Time
- Be precise with measurements. With macarons in particular, you can’t stray from the measurements or they won’t come out right.
- Don’t skip the sifting. In this macaron cookie recipe, sifting really does make a difference!
- Use a mixer. It’s easier. And to that end, make sure there are no traces of grease anywhere on your mixer or your egg whites won’t get those stiff peaks.
- Keep the yolks away. There can’t be a hint of them in your egg whites.
- Tap it. Tapping the baking sheet to get rid of the trapped bubbles when you pipe the mixture on releases air pockets that will ruin your macarons.
How to Make Macarons
Homemade macarons require precision and patience. Most of it will involve your mixture followed by baking in the oven. Don’t make the buttercream too soon…make it once your macarons are cooled.
Are macarons really that hard to make?
Macarons are not difficult to make. They require specific ingredients and techniques to make well, but the process is not difficult. This recipe explains how to make macarons step-by-step.
Are macarons expensive to make?
Macarons are very cheap to make, which is why it pays to make them yourself. They cost around 20 cents to whip up yourself whereas most bakeries will charge anywhere from $2 to $4 or more per macaron.
How do you make perfect macarons?
Perfect macarons take practice. If you follow this recipe, you will have the best success for getting them just right.
How do you make tasty macarons?
Making tasty macarons is as easy as following this recipe. I’ve done all the hard work for you with measurements so that your macarons will have the best texture and flavor.
Which macaron method is best?
Really, it’s just a matter of preference, however most people seem to adore this French style macaron over the Italian version.
How do you add flavor to macarons?
The flavor comes from sugar and vanilla extract. The buttercream will add more flavor too. After you make macarons the first time, you’ll get to know how you can add your own signature hints to the flavors.
Do you really need almond flour for macarons?
Yes, you do. It’s easy to find just about anywhere and is the reason macarons get their signature taste and texture.
Can you use regular flour instead of almond flour in macarons?
No, this is one recipe where substitutions will throw the whole thing off. You must use almond flour to get your macarons right. A macaron recipe without almond flour will just not be the same.
Can I use almond powder for macarons?
While it’s almost the same, the best thing to use for macarons is almond flour. This will ensure your recipe comes out correctly.
What does cream of tartar do in macarons?
This acidic ingredient helps bring stability to the egg whites. This makes it hold up better when folding in your dry ingredients.
How Long to Bake Macarons
It will take 12 to 15 minutes to bake your macarons at 300F. Once you’re at this step, you’re almost done!
What are macarons traditionally filled with?
The meringue discs that compose macarons are usually filled with buttercream as they are in this recipe. Some recipes may fill them with jam or ganache.
How long can macaron batter sit before piping?
While you should try to hurry it along, you can let macaron batter sit for 30 minutes on up to an hour before piping it.
How do you pipe a macaron filling?
Use a piping bag to fill your macarons. If you don’t have one, you can put it in a plastic bag and cut the corner off for the same effect.
Can you leave macarons to dry overnight?
You can certainly leave them to dry overnight, though there is no need. 40 minutes should be enough time as indicated in this recipe.
Why is my macaron so chewy?
Macarons should have a slightly chewy texture, but if they’re too chewy, it is the result of baking them too long.
What goes well with Macarons
Ice cream and fruit are great for the kids, though adults may love coffee, tea, or champagne with their macarons.
How to Store Macarons
Macarons should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. You can stack them as long as you separate the layers with parchment paper.
How Long Do Macarons Last?
Macarons will last about 4 days in a cool environment like your fridge. Anything after that and they just won’t be the same.
Can You Freeze Macarons?
The good news is that you can freeze them in airtight containers. This is ideal for getting them ready for a special event. I’ve done this for birthday parties and it’s such a brilliant idea to reduce my stress.
How to Reheat Macarons?
No need to reheat them, just take them out and put them on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes to get them to the desired texture and temperature.