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French Macarons

Smooth, ruffled-foot macarons with a crisp shell and chewy interior. Troubleshooting included.

Prep: 30 min · Cook: 15 min · Total: 2 hours (+ rest time)20 servingsAdvanced4.5 (23 reviews)110 calories per serving

Last tested: 2026-09-10

📸
Servings20

📋 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together twice.

  2. 2

    Whip egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar. Whip to stiff, glossy peaks.

  3. 3

    Fold dry ingredients into meringue in three additions. Fold until batter flows like lava.

  4. 4

    Pipe 3cm/1.2-inch circles onto lined baking sheets.

  5. 5

    Tap trays firmly on the counter to release air bubbles. Pop any visible bubbles with a toothpick.

  6. 6

    Let sit 30-60 minutes until a skin forms (touch test — should not stick).

  7. 7

    Bake at 150°C/300°F for 13-15 minutes. Cool completely before removing.

  8. 8

    Make filling: beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Sandwich cookies.

🔄 Swap Table

Original: Almond flour
Swap: Finely ground sunflower seeds
Nut-free, slightly different flavor
Original: Butter filling
Swap: Ganache or jam
Different flavor profiles
Original: Gel food coloring
Swap: Cocoa powder (1 tbsp)
Chocolate shells — reduce almond flour by 1 tbsp

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