Name: Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 102 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups almond flour; 1 cup powdered sugar; 3 large egg whites (room temperature); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp cream of tarter; Buttercream filling:; 1 cup powdered sugar; 4 Tbsp salted butter (softened); 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp almond extract; 2-3 Tbsp heavy cream

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This Macarons Recipe features a light and airy cookie with crisp edges and chewy centers. They're sandwiched together with a homemade vanilla buttercream for a dreamy flavor combination.

Easy French Macarons Recipe

Macarons are meringue like in flavor and not to be confused with macaroons which are a chewy coconut cookie. They're a light and airy cookie that can be made into any shape you like. Often they are made in small rounds which make them appropriate for any occasion. Making them heart shaped is the perfect way to say "I love you" to the special people in your life. They're made using almond flour and the flour has to be run through a food processor and ground to a fine powder for the best end result.

How to Make the Best Macarons Recipe

Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Macarons: Almond flour, powdered sugar, large egg whites, vanilla extract and cream of tarter.
For the Buttercream filling you'll need: Powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, almond extract and heavy cream. When making the buttercream, add just enough heavy cream to make it easily spreadable, not too much.
Kitchen tools you'll need: A stand mixer or a hand mixer, a fine mesh sieve, food processor, large mixing bowl, medium mixing bowl, baking sheet, 2 piping bags, whisk, spatula, heart paper template, parchment paper.
Although the almond flour may be labelled as fine grind, the food processor step called for in the recipe is still a must. Running it through the food processor at least 3 times is recommended to achieve the right texture for the macarons.
For this recipe, you can't substitute all purpose flour for almond flour. Only almond flour will do in this instance.
The egg whites must be at room temperature. This will help get the meringue to the desired fluffiness.
It also helps if the egg whites are slightly dehydrated. To do this, separate the eggs two days prior to making the macarons. Place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge until you are ready to use them. Next, take the egg whites out of the fridge and allow them to warm to room temperature. This step will help the macarons bake properly. While it's not an imperative step, it does help with the preparation. If you forget, bring the egg whites to room temperature and proceed with the recipe.
What does cream of tarter do? Cream of tarter helps to stabilize the whipped egg whites.
You can make macarons into any shape you like. Round is classic.
You can change the flavor profile by changing the flavor of extract used. Strawberry, lemon or orange would all be delicious options.
How do you make your own heart template? Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make indentations on parchment paper then follow the lines when piping the macaron batter. You can also use the tip of a knife to outline the cookie cutter, allowing at least 1 inch between each macaron for baking. This will help keep them uniform in shape.
Macarons can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 1 day but will last much longer when stored chilled in the refrigerator. You can store them chilled for up to 1 week.

More Easy Cookie Recipes to Make

These Turtle Cookies are baked in a muffin pan to form a cup for the turtle toppings.
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies can be made into any shape and decorated to suit the occasion.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rolled in powdered sugar and baked to form the crackle appearance.
Glazed Lemon Cookies are soft and fluffy.
These Easy Peanut Butter Cookies can be served with or without a dip of chocolate.
Flourless Chocolate Cookies melt in your mouth.
White Chocolate M & M Valentine's Day Cookies won't last long in your cookie jar.
Crinkle Cool Whip Cookies from Bread Booze and Bacon.

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Macarons Recipe

Prep Time1 hr

Cook Time12 mins

Cooling time30 mins

Total Time1 hr 42 mins

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American, French Inspired

Keyword: how-to-make-macarons, macarons-recipe

Servings: 20 (1 ½") sandwiched macarons

Calories: 142kcal

Ingredients

1 ½ cups almond flour
1 cup powdered sugar
3 large egg whites room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cream of tarter
Buttercream filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoon salted butter softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
2-3 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Use a cookie cutter or a heart shaped template to make the heart shapes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Leave at least 1 inch of space between each macaron. (If using an oven safe template, place under the parchment)
Pour the almond flour into a food processor and grind until it is a fine powder.
Next, add the flour to a sieve with the powdered sugar. Sift together into a medium mixing bowl. Repeat this process two more times, (for 3 times total) discarding any larger pieces that don't fully sift through the sieve. (The more you do this step the glossier the top of the macaron will be.) Set aside.
In the large bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy, about 5 minutes. Add the cream of tartar and beat for 1 minute. To the egg whites, add vanilla and 4-5 drops of the food coloring. (Adjust the intensity of the color to your taste) Beat to combine.
Slowly add the sifted ingredients to the egg white mixture ⅓ at a time and fold into the meringue by hand using a rubber spatula. Repeat until all is added.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag. Fill each heart with batter.
Tap the cookie sheet on a counter a couple of times to release any air bubbles. Let sit for 40 minutes to dry on the cookie sheet.
To Bake: After the 40 minutes, preheat the oven to 300°F. Bake macarons on middle rack for 7 minutes. Turn the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for another 5 minutes. The cookies should be just slightly toasted on the edges.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
To Make the Filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with vanilla extract until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar then add creamy (or milk) 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. (It should be thick not runny.)
Transfer to a piping bag OR use an icing spatula to frost one cookie, placing another on top to form the cookie sandwich.

Notes

How do you make your own heart template? Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make indentations on parchment paper then place onto the sheet pan and follow the lines when piping the macaron batter. You can also use the tip of a knife to outline the cookie cutter, allowing at least 1 inch between each macaron for baking. This will help keep them uniform in shape.

Nutrition

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