This simple French macaron recipe creates a batch of delicate and delicious cookies that will melt in your mouth. Lykkers, we've included all our tips here to assist you!
These French macarons are a wonderful treat to share with friends and family. They also add a beautiful touch to any plate for guests to enjoy. While they can be a bit tricky to perfect, once you master making macarons, you'll be hooked!
HOW TO MAKE MACARONS
Ingredients for the Cookies:
- 100 g (about 3 large) egg whites, at room temperature
- 140 g (1 1/2 cups) almond flour
- 90 g (just under 1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 130 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp (800 mg) cream of tartar
Ingredients for the Buttercream:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 5 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp (30mL) water
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
Instructions for the Macarons:
1. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour into a bowl.
2. Whip Egg Whites:
- In a very clean bowl, add room-temperature egg whites.
- Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg whites until foamy.
- Add cream of tartar and slowly add granulated sugar while continuing to whisk.
3. Incorporate Flavors:
- Add food coloring (if desired) and vanilla extract to the egg-white mixture.
- Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold in Dry Ingredients:
- Begin folding in one-third of the sifted dry ingredients gently.
- Carefully fold in the remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
- The mixture should have a flowing consistency like lava.
5. Prepare for Piping:
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a medium round piping tip.
6. Pipe and Settle:
- Pipe one-inch dollops of batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Tap the baking sheet on the counter several times to release any air bubbles.
- Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for about 40 minutes.
7. Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Bake the macarons for 12-15 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through (after 7 minutes).
8. Cool and Assemble:
- Allow the macarons to cool completely on the baking sheet before carefully removing them.
- Match similar-sized shells to create pairs for filling.
These steps will help you create beautiful and delicious French macarons!
Instructions for the French Buttercream Filling:
1. Prepare Sugar Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water.
- Heat over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Whip Egg Yolks:
- Place the egg yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
- Beat the egg yolks until they are thick and foamy.
3. Make Sugar Syrup:
- Cook the sugar and water mixture until it reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Immediately remove the syrup from the heat.
4. Incorporate Sugar Syrup:
- With the mixer running on medium speed, slowly drizzle the hot sugar syrup into the bowl with the egg yolks.
- Continue mixing until the bottom of the bowl feels cool to the touch and the yolk mixture has cooled to room temperature.
5. Add Butter:
- Gradually add softened unsalted butter, one cube at a time, allowing each piece to incorporate fully before adding the next.
- Continue mixing until all the butter is added and the buttercream is smooth and creamy, which typically takes about 5-6 minutes.
6. Flavor and Color:
- Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the buttercream.
- If desired, add food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
7. Finish Mixing:
- Mix the buttercream for another minute or two to ensure everything is well combined and the texture is smooth.
Your French Buttercream filling is now ready to be used to sandwich between the cooled macaron shells. Enjoy assembling your delicious macarons!
Instructions for the Assembly
1. Fill the Macarons:
- Use a piping bag to apply the filling onto the flat side of half of the macaron shells.
2. Create Sandwiches:
- Gently press the remaining macaron shells onto the filled ones to form sandwiches.
3. Age the Macarons:
- Place the assembled macarons in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate them for 1-3 days to allow the filling to soften the shells inside.
Following these steps ensures your macarons are well-filled and aged to perfection, enhancing their texture and flavor.
Lykkers,we hope this guide has inspired you to embark on your macaron-making journey! Whether you're a novice or an experienced baker, mastering these delicate treats can be both rewarding and enjoyable.
Have you tried making macarons before, or will this be your first attempt? We'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you have for perfecting these dainty cookies. Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
