• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Modern Honey
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Top 20
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Top 20
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    French Macarons

    Published: Apr 12, 2017 · Modified: Mar 8, 2019 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    1050 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    French Macarons

    The French Macaron. The soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie is like nothing else. It is in a league of it's own. It has been considered the reigning Queen of Cookies and is without a doubt cookie royalty. With such sophistication, it is definitely a fancy pants cookie and impresses one and all.

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    So why do you not see everyone making them? Well, I am going to put it mildly -- they are highly finicky little things. I am here to help you by giving you a step by step guide to ensure success in the kitchen! The following are tips and tricks to follow so the macarons come out perfect every single time.

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    So what are French Macarons made of?

    They are made with such simple ingredients -- egg whites stiffly beaten, powdered sugar, almond flour, a pinch of salt, and cream of tartar. These cookies are naturally gluten-free since the recipe calls for only almond flour.  There is no butter or oil in this cookie either. It is such a fascinating dessert, isn't it?

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    What are the tips and tricks to making perfect French Macarons?

    1.  Beating the egg whites for 8-10 minutes to create stiff peaks. It is important to bring eggs to room temperature. I will usually submerge them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to bring them to the right temperature.
    2. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar to make a finely ground powder.  It will help create a smooth cookie. I used Bob's Red Mill finely ground blanched almond meal. You want the almond flour to be blanched which means the skins have been removed.
    3. When it is time to fold together the almond flour and stiffly beaten egg whites, it is important to not overmix because it can deflate but mix it enough to end up with a smooth cookie. Beth from Entertaining with Beth suggests turning your spatula 65-75 times. I love her preciseness! She's a girl after my own heart. I have adapted her recipe slightly.
    4. Color the batter with your favorite food coloring gels from soft pinks and peaches to Tiffany blue.
    5. Invest in silicone baking sheets, such as Silpat, or parchment paper to prevent sticking. I use silicone baking sheets every single time I make cookies so they slide right off after baking.
    6. After you have piped the french macaron batter onto the cookie sheets, a crucial step is to tap the pans 3 times to release any air bubbles. Let the macarons rest for 25 minutes to let them dry and create a nice crust. This is a critical step so you must be patient and let them rest. It will help to create a nice platform or feet at the base of the macaron.
    7. Bake for 20 minutes.  Let cool before filling.
    8. There are so many different kinds of fillings depending on your preference. A classic French macaron has jam in the center. You can use raspberry preserves, lemon curd, vanilla bean or flavored buttercream, Nutella, chocolate ganache, cream cheese buttercream, and many others.

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. Wilton food coloring gels. www.modernhoney.com

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    French Macarons

    Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey
    Popular French Macarons are famous for a reason. These sandwich cookies literally melt in your mouth. Tips and tricks to making perfect ones at home.
    4 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 35 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 8 -12

    Equipment

    • kitchenaid mixer
    • baking sheet
    • parchment paper baking sheets

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Egg Whites at room temperature
    • ¼ cup Sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
    • ⅛ teaspoon Salt
    • Food Coloring
    • 2 cups Powdered Sugar
    • 1 cup Blanched Almond Flour

    • Filling Ideas:
    • Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Buttercream:
    • 1 - 8 ounce pkgs. Cream Cheese softened
    • 6 Tablespoons Butter softened
    • 1 ½ cups Powdered Sugar if you desire a stiffer frosting, add ¼ cup more
    • 1 Vanilla Bean or 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
    • - Lemon Curd
    • - Raspberry or Strawberry Jam
    • - Chocolate Ganache
    • - Nutella
    • - Almond Buttercream

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
    • Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar, cream of tartar, and salt and beat for 8-10 minutes longer, until stiff peaks form that can stand upright.
    • Stir in food coloring of choice.
    • Sift powdered sugar and almond flour and discard excess.
    • Fold flour/sugar mixture into whipped egg whites. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold the mixture together until incorporated, about 65-75 turns of the spatula.
    • On silicone baking sheet or parchment paper lined baking sheets, drop heaping teaspoons of batter onto cookie sheet 1 inch apart or place the batter in pastry bag. Pipe out 1 inch rounds.
    • Tap the pan 3 times to release air bubbles.
    • Let the macarons rest and dry out for 25-30 minutes. This helps to create the platform or feet on the macarons.
    • Bake for 19-22 minutes or until no longer tacky.
    • Let cool.
    • Spread 1 teaspoon of filling of choice (filling ideas and recipe down below) on flat side of the cookie and top with a cookie of matching size. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in refrigerator.

    • To make Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Buttercream:
    • In large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
    • Add powdered sugar and mix until creamy.
    • If using a vanilla bean, slit vanilla bean in half and use tip of knife to scrape the vanilla bean paste from each side of vanilla bean pod. If using vanilla extract, add to frosting and stir until combined.
    • **Adapted from Entertaining with Beth
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    PIN FRENCH MACARONS RECIPE FOR LATER:

    How to make home French Macarons at home. Step by step instructions and tips and tricks for making these popular french cookies. Naturally gluten-free cookies. www.modernhoney.com

    I can't wait to hear how successful you are making your very own homemade French Macarons. You won't need to spend $3 each at those high end bakeries anymore after mastering them at home. Find me on social media on Instagram at modern_honey.

    Happy Baking! xo

    More Cookies

    • Soft, chewy sugar cookies filled with sprinkles and white chocolate. This festive funfetti cookie recipe has the perfect chewy center with buttery crisp edges filled with rainbow sprinkles.
      Confetti Sprinkle Cookies
    • These are the Best Browned Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies that are perfectly soft and chewy with crisp edges and ooey gooey centers filled with chocolate and toffee chunks.
      Browned Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Soft, chewy thick Levain Bakery Caramel Coconut Cookies made with rich caramel, sweet coconut flakes, and semisweet chocolate chips. This seasonal Levain Bakery cookie recipe is the perfect coconut caramel cookie.
      Levain Bakery Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • These Easter Cadbury Mini Eggs Blondies are chewy milk chocolate chip cookie bars filled with mini Cadbury eggs. These are the best mini egg blondies!
      Easter Cadbury Mini Egg Blondies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Josie

      January 26, 2019 at 8:48 pm

      How many carbs are in a macaroon?

      Reply
    2. Jessie

      July 25, 2017 at 5:42 pm

      In the recipe for the cream cheese filling, you have 6 tbsp listed but in parenthesis you put 3/4 cup. Which one should be used?

      Reply
    3. S. Johnson

      May 10, 2017 at 6:57 pm

      4 stars
      Those look fabulous! Do you use templates or anything when you pipe out the batter onto the baking sheets?

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Melissa Stadler Modern Honey

    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler! I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Chinese Orange Chicken that is better than take-out. How to make ORANGE CHICKEN at home with a sweet orange sauce. www.modernhoney.com
      Chinese Orange Chicken
    • The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe makes chicken extra juicy and flavorful. This savory marinade makes grilled chicken mouthwatering! This Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe is made with extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. The perfect chicken marinade recipe! www.modernhoney.com
      The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • Levain Bakery Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. The BEST Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie Recipe. The perfect chocolate chip walnut cookies. #levainbakery #chocolatechipwalnutcookies #chocolatechipcookies
      Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies
    • The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe. Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies. The popular cinnamon-sugar soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe. A recipe that has been in the family for over 30 years! #snickerdoodle #snickerdoodles #snickerdoodlecookies #snickerdoodlecookie #cookie #cookies #christmascookies #christmascookies www.modernhoney.com
      The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

    Recent Recipes

    • This Caprese Tortellini is made with cheese Tortellini tossed with sauteed garlic and tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella and spices. This fresh tortellini caprese pasta is perfect for summer!
      Caprese Tortellini
    • How to make the best pasta salad with Italian meats, cheese, pasta, and vegetables, all tossed with a homemade creamy red wine vinaigrette. This is such an easy, popular pasta salad recipe.
      Italian Pasta Salad
    • Creamy Homemade Chicken Salad made with tender chicken, crunchy celery, green onion, sweet grapes, and crunchy almonds in a mayonnaise dressing. This is a classic chicken salad recipe that everyone loves and is perfect for a quick lunch or potluck.
      Chicken Salad
    • This is the easiest baked chicken recipe that is so flavorful and juicy. This homemade spice rub is perfect for oven baked chicken and makes it perfectly spiced. I am sharing my tips for making the best baked chicken.
      Juicy Baked Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    About

    Recipe Index

    Travel

    Privacy Policy

    Contact

    melissa@modernhoney.com

    Subscribe to my Recipes

    Follow

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    TikTok

    Copyright © 2023 Modern Honey