Description
Delicate French macarons are a classic dessert, featuring a crisp outer shell and chewy interior. Made with almond flour and filled with luscious buttercream or ganache, these colorful treats are perfect for special occasions. This easy French macaron recipe ensures success every time, making it ideal for home bakers.
Ingredients
1 cup almond flour
1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
3 large egg whites, room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (optional)
Buttercream or ganache filling of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together into a large bowl to remove lumps.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla extract and food coloring if desired.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites using a spatula. The batter should have a lava-like consistency.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles (about 1 inch in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Tap the baking sheets firmly on the counter to release air bubbles. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until they form a skin and are no longer sticky to the touch.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through. The macarons are done when they have risen and developed “feet.”
- Let the macarons cool completely before removing and filling with buttercream or ganache.
Notes
Avoid overmixing: Gently fold the batter until just combined for the perfect texture.
Drying time: Let the piped macarons sit until a skin forms before baking to prevent cracking.
Freezing: You can freeze unfilled macaron shells for up to 3 months for later use.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 macarons
- Calories: 110 kcal
Keywords: French macarons, easy macaron recipe, almond flour macarons, homemade macarons, classic macaron recipe, French dessert