Easy Homemade Macarons (Beginner-Friendly!)
No fancy techniques—just a straightforward way to make delicious macarons at home.
Ingredients
Macaron Shells:
1 cup powdered sugar
¾ cup almond flour
2 large egg whites (room temperature)
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract (or any flavor you like)
A pinch of salt
Food coloring (optional)
Filling:
½ cup butter (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
Instructions
1. Prep the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together. Set aside.
2. Make the Meringue
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until foamy.
Slowly add the granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form (when you lift the beaters, the meringue should hold its shape).
Mix in the vanilla extract and food coloring, if using.
3. Fold Everything Together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula. Fold until the batter flows like thick honey.
If you scoop some up and drop it, it should settle into the rest of the batter within 10-15 seconds.
4. Pipe and Rest
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pipe small circles (about 1.5 inches) onto the sheet.
Tap the baking sheet on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles.
Let them sit for 30-45 minutes until they feel dry to the touch.
5. Bake
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the tops are firm and have a little “foot” at the bottom.
Let them cool completely before filling.
6. Make the Filling
Beat the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
Add vanilla extract and enough milk to get a creamy consistency.
7. Assemble & Enjoy!
Pipe a small amount of filling onto one macaron shell, then sandwich it with another.
Let them sit in the fridge for an hour before eating (if you can wait!).
Easy Flavor Ideas
🍫 Chocolate Macarons – Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder to the shells and melted chocolate to the filling.
🍓 Strawberry Macarons – Use strawberry jam instead of buttercream.
☕ Coffee Macarons – Mix ½ tsp instant coffee into the meringue.