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Foolproof beginner-friendly French Macarons displayed on a colorful dessert plate.

French Macarons

Delicate and chewy sandwich cookies made with almond flour and whipped egg whites, filled with a creamy filling.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 90
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Macaron Shells
  • 100 g Egg whites (from about 3 large eggs), room temperature Fresh egg whites are preferred.
  • 90 g Granulated sugar
  • 110 g Almond flour Finely ground almond flour is recommended.
  • 200 g Powdered sugar Sift with almond flour.
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • Optional: Gel food coloring Avoid using liquid coloring.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Use small circles as a guide for even piping if desired.
  2. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together to avoid lumpy tops.
  3. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and whip until glossy, stiff peaks form.
  4. Fold the dry mixture into the meringue until it flows like thick lava, forming a ribbon when lifted.
Baking
  1. Pipe small rounds, approximately 1.5 inches across, then tap the baking sheets to remove air bubbles.
  2. Allow shells to rest until the tops feel dry, which can take 20 to 45 minutes.
  3. Bake in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for 14 to 18 minutes until no wobble is detected when gently nudged.
  4. Cool completely before peeling off the parchment.
Filling
  1. Fill cooled shells with a simple filling such as vanilla buttercream, chocolate ganache, or store-bought lemon curd.

Notes

Macarons are gluten-free and can be made ahead of time. They improve in flavor after a day in the fridge. Experiment with different colors and fillings once the shell technique is mastered.