Introduction

French macarons are delicate and delicious treats that are popular for a good reason – they are elegant, sweet, and delightful. However, making the perfect macaron can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips to help you master the art of making French macarons at home.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Food coloring (optional)
• Filling of your choice (buttercream, ganache, jam)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine powdered sugar and almond flour. Pulse until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites until the batter is smooth and shiny.
5. If using food coloring, add it to the batter and gently fold until evenly colored.
6. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip and pipe small rounds onto the prepared baking sheets.
7. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to develop a skin.
8. Bake the macarons for about 15-18 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through baking.
9. Once baked, let the macarons cool completely on the baking sheets before gently removing them.
10. Pair up macaron shells of similar sizes and fill them with your desired filling.
11. Store the filled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.