How to Make Macarons at Home

Macarons are delicate, French meringue-based cookies that may seem tricky, but with the right technique, you can create delicious, beautiful macarons at home. Here’s how to do it!

Ingredients:

For the Shells:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 3 egg whites (room temperature)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (optional)

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prep Dry Ingredients
   Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together into a bowl. This ensures smooth, lump-free shells.

2. Whip Egg Whites
   Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Add food coloring if desired.

3. Combine Mixtures
   Gently fold the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar into the whipped egg whites. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should fall from the spatula in a thick ribbon.

4. Pipe the Macarons
   Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe 1-inch circles onto parchment paper. Tap the tray on the counter to release air bubbles.

5. Rest the Shells
   Let the piped batter sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms on top. They shouldn’t be sticky to the touch.

6. Bake the Macarons
   Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the shells have feet (ruffled edges) and are firm to the touch.

7. Prepare the Filling
   Whisk together softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to create a smooth buttercream.

8. Assemble the Macarons
   Pair shells by size, pipe the filling on one shell, and sandwich with the other.

Pro Tips:

• Rest the macarons in the fridge for 24 hours to develop flavor.

• Sift the dry ingredients for smooth, flawless shells.