French Macarons - No-Fail Recipe

These French macarons are crisp almond shells filled with jam and Swiss meringue buttercream. They make perfect tea time treats as well as impressive gifts to family and friends during the holiday season. Using my no-fail recipe this is one you are going to love.

Table of Content

• About these macarons
• Ingredients and substitutes
• Step by step instructions
• You may also like
• Printable Recipe
• Join the conversation

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What was the first macaron you ever made? Well, mine was this basic recipe. I made this a few times with many different flavored fillings in between.

Well, my mom said this is the basic recipe, once you learn this, the world of macarons is at your feet. Therefore, all you need to do is master this recipe. And, once you have this under your belt, guess what? Creating new flavors? A piece of cake!

So you see, I'm taking you down the same path my mom took me years ago. And if it worked for me, I'm sure it will also work for you.

About these macarons

There are three components to these macarons.

The shell - These can be made ahead of time and kept in an airtight container or frozen for months in the freezer.

The filling - A soft center in the middle of the macarons. I like using fruit fillings and curds in the middle of the frosting. Today, I am using strawberry jam but strawberry and raspberry filling are also great taste options.

The frosting - You can fill macarons with a simple buttercream or explore different fillings and frosting. Today, I am using Swiss meringue buttercream. My other favorite buttercream recipes are French, Italian, or German. They are rich and less sweet than classic American buttercream.

Ingredients and substitutes

We have already discussed all the ingredients in our previous post on 20 tips to perfect macarons, so I will keep this short. If you are new to making macarons I highly recommend you read that post with step by step pictures.

• Egg whites - Always use egg whites by weight not measure. As you can see, I have said 110 grams or 3.5 oz. This is very important. Also, you can use fresh eggs but make sure they are room temperature.
• Almond meal (almond flour) - Whether you buy or make it at home, make sure it's finely ground and sifted. And if you make it yourself, use blanched almonds along with some of the powdered sugar from the recipe to prevent the almond meal from becoming too greasy.
• Sugar - Use a fine grain sugar so it dissolves easily in the egg whites.
• Cream of tartar - It prevents the separation of protein and water in the whites. It's also flavorless, so it does not affect the flavor of your baked goods. The best substitute for cream of tartar is a pinch of salt, but lemon juice and vinegar are often used.
• Extract - Always use an extract that's not oil-based. If you are not sure, don't add any extract at all. But do not use any oil-based extract in your whipped egg whites.

Step by step instructions

Macaron shells 

• Dry ingredients - Place almond meal and powdered sugar in a food processor. Sift it in a fine mesh sieve and discard any big or remains that does not go thru. However, if you have a lot in the sifter - pulse some more and strain again.
  Pro tip - Pulsing and straining will ensure you have a flour texture. So do not skip this step.
• Whip egg whites - Place the egg whites with cream of tartar in a grease-free bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Start whisking on medium speed. (in the video I am using a hand mixer so you can see better but a stand mixer is).
  Pro tip - The cream of tartar helps stabilize the egg whites. You can omit it, but it is especially helpful when making macarons in warm weather or humid places.
• After a minute, start adding the granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
  Pro tip - Adding the sugar one spoon at a time will prevent the protein in the egg whites from breaking down.
• Once all the sugar has been added, turn to medium-high speed and whip until stiff peaks form. Add extract and gel food coloring - mix the color well.

• Fold in - Next, fold the almond mixture into the whipped egg whites in three batches.
• Macronage - Once the almond mixture has been incorporated, we need to bring it to the right consistency. See video on how I do this.
  • Use a spatula and spread the mixture around in the bowl - then bring it back to the center. Do it again and again until you have the right consistency.
  • I usually have to do this about 4 to 5 times with each batch.
• Consistency - You need, what is called a dropping consistency or a thick 'lava-like' or 'cake batter' consistency. This means when you hold a little macaron batter on the spatula and it drops down like a ribbon that blends back into itself.
  Pro tip - Getting the right consistency sometimes takes time. So, watch that part of a video carefully.
• Pipe - Transfer macaron batter into a piping bag (pastry bag) with a large round tip (No.12). Pipe similar size macarons onto a baking tray, lined with a parchment paper, using a macaron template.
  Pro tip - Templates ensure all shells are similar in size. This is helpful when we make the finished macarons. You can print free templates found on google or make your own with a cookie cutter.
• Piping technique - The best way to pipe the macarons, hold the piping bag at 90%. Squeeze until you have a good mound then swirl the tip to one side. But don't worry if you have a point. When you tap the pan these usually settle down.
• Tap baking pan - Tap the baking sheet on the counter several times.
  Pro tip - Tapping helps so all the air bubbles (air pockets) will rise to the top and release. That way you won't have big holes in your macarons. I do three taps on each side as shown in the video.
• Rest - Let the macarons sit in a cool dry place for about 30 to 50 minutes until it forms a skin on the top. If you touch the shell it should not stick to your finger.
  Pro tip - In places, with high humidity, this can take up to 60 minutes. As long as it does not stick to your finger when you touch it - you are good to go.
• While the macarons are drying - preheat the oven to 150 C / 300 F.
  Pro tip - I usually start my oven at about 20 minutes because that's how long it takes in my home.
• Bake the macarons for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven (some ovens can take up to 18 minutes). The tops will look set but the bottom should not be wet. The top shell should be shiny and the bottom crusty (also called macaron feet).
  Pro tip - Do not open the oven door for the first 10 minutes of baking. When you shake the pan they must look set. Remember they continue to bake with the residue heat on the baking tray.
• Cool on the baking tray for at least 10 minutes before you remove and transfer them to a cooling rack (wire rack).
  Pro tip - Trying to remove the macarons from the hot tray can cause the tops to separate from the bottom feet. Once you let them cool they will come off easily. So, be patient.

Filling

• You can use store-bought or make your own using the classic jam recipe or microwave jam recipe. Alternatively, you can also use strawberry filling which is less sweet than jam.
• Of course, you can also use caramel, custard, or even butterscotch to fill these macarons.

Swiss meringue buttercream

• Watch my video and step by step progress for Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
• In the large bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs whites, salt, cream of tartar, and sugar. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk the egg whites over the simmering water until all the sugar has melted.
• Place the mixer bowl on the stand and start at medium to low speed with a whisk attachment, increasing the speed gradually. Whisk to firm peaks, shiny meringue.
• Touch the mixer bowl. If it’s still warm wait, run the mixer on low until it cools. Once the bowl feels warm to the touch, start adding the butter, one cube at a time. Then, add the vanilla bean extract and whip on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until you have a light and fluffy buttercream.

Fill /Storage

• On a baking tray, pair similar size macarons shells so you have similar size macarons.
• Add the filling in one piping bag and the buttercream in another bag. You can use a round piping tip but it's not necessary.
• Pipe a ring of buttercream on one macaron shell, then pipe the filling in the center of that buttercream ring. Place the second shell on top. Continue until you have filled all macarons.
• Macarons must be stored in the fridge and are best eaten one or two days later. (if you can wait).
• Enjoy!

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Printable Recipe