Description
Delicate French sandwich cookies with crisp shells and chewy centers, filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam. Naturally gluten-free and perfect for gifting or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour
- 1 3/4 cups (200g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (optional)
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Filling of choice (ganache, buttercream, or jam)
Instructions
- Sift and combine the almond flour and powdered sugar to ensure a fine, lump-free mixture.
- In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until frothy, then gradually add granulated sugar and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients using the macaronage technique until the batter flows in ribbons and forms a figure-8 without breaking.
- Add gel food coloring if desired and fold just until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip and pipe small circles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Tap the baking sheet on the counter to release air bubbles and let the macarons rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, until a skin forms.
- Bake one tray at a time at 300°F (150°C) for 15–18 minutes, rotating halfway through if needed.
- Let the macarons cool completely before removing from the parchment paper.
- Pipe filling onto the flat side of one shell and sandwich with another shell.
- Mature filled macarons in the refrigerator for 24 hours for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use aged egg whites for better meringue stability, though it’s optional.
- Use gel food coloring to avoid affecting the batter consistency.
- Make sure to rest the shells before baking to prevent cracks.
- Macarons taste best after maturing in the fridge for 24 hours.
- Unfilled shells can be frozen for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
