Description
French macarons are delicate, meringue-based sandwich cookies with a crisp shell and soft, chewy interior, typically filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam. They are known for their vibrant colors and exquisite flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 100g almond flour
- 100g powdered sugar
- 75g granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites (aged at room temperature for 24 hours)
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- Food coloring (gel or powder)
- For the filling (e.g., chocolate ganache, raspberry jam, vanilla buttercream)
Instructions
- Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together. Repeat sifting twice to ensure no lumps.
- Whip egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue whipping.
- Gradually add granulated sugar while whipping on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add food coloring.
- Gently fold in the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the meringue in three additions, until a ‘lava-like’ consistency (macaronage) is achieved.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
- Pipe 1.5-inch rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Tap the baking sheets firmly on the counter several times to release air bubbles.
- Let the macarons rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until a skin forms and they are no longer sticky to the touch.
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through, until shells have ‘feet’ and are firm.
- Let cool completely on the baking sheet before filling.
- Fill with your desired filling and sandwich two shells together.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Aging egg whites helps achieve a more stable meringue.
- Do not overmix the batter during macaronage, as this can result in flat macarons.
- Tap the baking sheet well to prevent hollow shells.
- Resting time is crucial for developing the ‘feet’.
- Bake one tray at a time for even cooking.
- Macarons taste best after maturing in the refrigerator for a day.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron (approx. 15g)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg