Here’s a classic French Macarons recipe with clear steps and tips to help them turn out right 🍬
(They’re a little tricky, but totally doable!)
🇫🇷 Classic Macarons Recipe
Ingredients
Macaron Shells
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup almond flour (finely ground)
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Food coloring (gel only, optional)
Simple Filling (Buttercream)
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1–2 tsp milk or cream
Instructions
1. Prep
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C)
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- Sift powdered sugar + almond flour together
- Discard large almond bits (important!)
3. Make Meringue
- Beat egg whites until foamy
- Slowly add granulated sugar
- Beat until stiff, glossy peaks
- Add vanilla and food coloring if using
4. Macaronage (Folding)
- Gently fold dry ingredients into meringue
- Batter should flow like lava
- When lifted, it should form a ribbon that disappears in ~10 seconds
⚠️ Don’t overmix or undermix!
5. Pipe & Rest
- Pipe 1½-inch circles onto baking sheets
- Tap trays firmly on counter to remove air bubbles
- Let sit 30–45 minutes until tops are dry to the touch
6. Bake
- Bake 15–18 minutes
- Let cool completely before removing
Filling
- Beat butter until creamy
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk
- Beat until smooth and fluffy
Pipe filling onto one shell and sandwich with another.
🌟 Tips for Success
- Use room-temperature egg whites
- Measure ingredients carefully
- Avoid humidity if possible
- Gel food coloring only (liquid ruins batter)
🔄 Flavor Ideas
- Chocolate shells (add 1 tbsp cocoa powder)
- Lemon filling
- Strawberry buttercream
- Cookies & cream
If you want, I can give you:
- Chocolate macarons
- No-fail beginner tips
- Troubleshooting guide (cracks, hollow shells, no feet)