Give this basic macaron recipe a go and you may just perfect the decadent pastry on your first try.
RELATED: How To Make Macarons | Homemade Recipes
In this article:
- Learn the Basics of Making Macarons and Make Your Own!
- Make Macaron Shells
- Make Vanilla Buttercream
- Sinfully Delicious Macaron Recipe Variations
How to Make Macarons: Foolproof Macaron Recipe
Learn the Basics of Making Macarons and Make Your Own!
You’ve had it, you loved it, and now you want more. Yet, you’ve seen enough macaron recipes to dread making it yourself.
This is an all too familiar scenario where many choose to buy the pastry instead but, where’s the fun in that? With this basic macarons recipe, making a challenging dessert has never been easier.
Now, let’s get started!
Make Macaron Shells
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 drops pink gel food coloring
Instructions
Step 1. Process Almond Flour
In a food processor bowl, mix almond flour, powdered sugar, and half a teaspoon of salt. Process the mixture at low speed until super fine.
Step 2. Sift Processed Mixture
Sift the mixture into a large bowl with a fine-mesh sieve. You can do this a few times if you want to get the signature smooth surface macarons have.
Step 3. Beat Egg Whites
With a whisk fitted to an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a separate large bowl with a half teaspoon of salt until soft peaks form.
Tip: You can try to age your egg whites, which means to separate the whites from the yolks a day before and storing them in the fridge. This will dehydrate the egg whites and help give your macarons a better texture. Keep the egg whites at room temperature if you're about to bake.
Step 4. Add in Sugar, Vanilla, and Food Coloring
Add the granulated sugar slowly until fully mixed. Keep beating until stiff peaks form. Slowly add in vanilla, then the food coloring, until well combined. Do not overmix.
Tip: Test the doneness of your beaten eggs by carefully flipping the bowl upside down. If it stays in place, it’s good to go.
Step 5. Fold in Flour Mixture
Using a spatula, slowly and gently fold in the sifted almond flour to your beaten egg whites. You will know it's fully combined when the mixture is sticky, smooth, and glossy.
Do the eight-figure test to find out if the batter's done. Hold your spatula up and as ribbon-like strands drip from it, draw a figure eight on the surface of your batter.
Once you are able to do a figure eight without breaking, it’s good to go. Stop mixing because you don’t want to overmix the batter.
Step 6. Prepare for Piping
Let the batter sit uncovered for 10 to 30 minutes at room temperature. Meanwhile, prepare your piping bag and baking sheets.
Fill your round tip-fitted piping bag with macaron batter. Pipe a dot of macaron batter into each corner of your baking pan then place the parchment over it, to help keep the parchment in place.
Step 7. Form the Macaron Shells
Hold the piping bag up with the tip close to the baking sheet. Keep in mind, the batter will spread out while you are piping.
Pipe round cookie forms about two inches in size and at least an inch apart. Once done, give your baking pan a gentle tap on your working table.
This will release bubbles and give your macaron cookies a nice clean and even surface. At this point, you can sprinkle cinnamon and other edible decorations, but this is entirely optional.
Step 8. Let Sit
Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for 45 minutes to one hour. This is a must to help set the rounds and form dry macaron shells.
Step 9. Bake
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Use an oven thermometer to make sure you have the right temperature.
Bake the macarons for 10 minutes until you get well-risen feet. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to completely cool before filling.
Make Vanilla Buttercream
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1. Beat Butter
In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer. Beat for one minute or so until light and fluffy.
Sift your powdered sugar in. Continue beating until completely mixed.
Step 2. Add Remaining Ingredients
Next, add in vanilla, then cream, and continue beating. Add a tablespoon of cream at a time and continue beating until you get the right consistency.
Step 3. Pipe Cream
Fill your round tip-fitted piping bag with the cream. Pipe cream on the bottom of a macaron shell and top it with another shell.
Step 4. Make Macaron Sandwiches
Do the same with the rest to make more sandwiches. Arrange them sideways in an airtight container.
Step 5. Store and Enjoy
Allow them to “bloom” for 24 hours, then enjoy!
RELATED: 13 Delectable French Bread Recipes | Homemade Recipes
Sinfully Delicious Macaron Recipe Variations
You want eye-catching and mouthwatering desserts for a small party or a big event. Why not go for some colorful and decadent macarons?
Here are some of the most popular and the best macaron recipes you are sure to love.
1. Chocolate Macaron Recipe
Use unsweetened cocoa powder to make chocolate macarons and process it with almond powder until extra fine. Sift the processed powdered mixture through a fine-mesh sieve several times to make the macaron shells super smooth.
2. French Vanilla Macaron Recipe
From this classic vanilla macaron recipe, you can make a wide selection of desserts–or at least look like it. Give a batch of macaron batter a different food color for a colorful display.
3. Lemon Macarons Recipe
No dessert recipe escapes the lemon. From pies, meringues, cakes, and other pastries, a lemon-flavored entry is sure to be on the list of best macaron flavors.
For lemon macarons, you will have to make lemon curd along with making the macaron shells, and buttercream. It seems like extra work but knowing how versatile lemon curd is, it’s worth learning how to make it from scratch.
4. Violet Macarons Recipe
Use candied violet petals to flavor and decorate this macarons recipe. A lovely purple pastry dessert is a knockout at a dessert bar and great as edible gifts, too.
5. Strawberry Macaron Recipe
This interesting Italian meringue method of making macarons is quite easy and simpler, too. No processing and you work on your powdered mixture first.
Now you know the basics of making homemade macarons. The pressure and all makes it easy to mess the whole process up, but we hope this step-by-step guide will help you.
Take note of the tips and enjoy your first attempt at a macaron recipe!
Do you have other recipes or tips on how to make macarons? Let us know in the comments section below!
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