Making French Macarons is easier than you think. Here I will show you how to make these Valentine’s Heart French Macarons. They are such delicate and flavorful cookies. They have a soft crunchy exterior and a chewy delicious texture. This deliciousness is perfect for Mothers’ Day, Wedding Anniversary, Baby Showers, or any other event or celebration where Love is the main character! This heart-shaped dessert will bring joy and a little bit of sweetness to those you love :).
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First, let’s address what are French Macarons and what is the difference between French Macaron
( written with one O) and Macaroons (Written with two O’s):
French Macarons are very easily confused with another type of cookie called Macarons. However, not only a vowel differentiates these two cookies and the word French in front of one of them. A Macaroon is a mounted cookie made with shredded coconut and the French Macaron is made with almond meal/ flour filled and combining two cookies to make a sandwich that is not only delicious and sweet but also cute. I decided to make heart-shaped french macarons to celebrate Love.
In this post, I give you a step by step process on how to make french macarons to share with those you love. These amazing cookies are filled with a flavorful Butter Cream Cheese Filling that compliments the macaron really well.
How to make French Macaron:
To make these French Macarons you’ll need:
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Filling Injector/ Decorating Icing set
- Spatula
- Mixing Bowls
- Silicon Mat
- Heart Template
- Sifter
The first step and one that I suggest to not skip is to sift the dry ingredients first. To make this recipe I use 2/3 cup superfine almond flour and 1 cup powdered sugar. Sift those two into a mixing bowl and make sure to discard any debris left.
Incorporate the almond flour with the powdered sugar and set it aside.
The next step is to combine 2 large egg whites with 1/4 cup leveled granulated sugar. for this, I’m using my stand mixer, but you can also use a hand mixer to do this. Whip egg whites until foamy bubbles start to appear. Then gradually start adding the granulated sugar.
Continue mixing at high speed until the mixture starts to look glossy and peaks forms. Avoid overbeating it, as this will create air in the mixture and affecting the texture of the cookie.
Next, add red or pink gel food coloring and fold with a spatula. I decided to use both to accomplish this color. Just add little by little until you are satisfied with the color. Use a spatula to gently combine the gel into the mixture.
In a folding motion integrate the dry ingredients (flour and powdered sugar) into the colorful mixture. 
Continue folding until the mixture is all combined and is soft. It’s going to look a little grainy, that’s ok when using Almond flour from the whole almonds. If you prefer a smooth and more clean batter use almond flour/meal from blanched almonds. This will not affect the flavors of the cookie.
Print a copy of the heart template I created and place it under a baking sheet. To secure the page, I added in each corner of the back of the printout a dot of the sweet mixture. This will prevent the paper from moving. Then place the silicone liner or parchment paper over the heart template and start piping the batter. I also decided to make some french macarons circle-shaped, using this reusable silicone baking mat. This recipe makes a total of 24 cookies.
Then, proceed to firmly tap the baking sheets over the counter, ( this can be loud, so make sure to alert the family, as they can get scared) about 15 times on each baking sheet to release air bubbles.
Carefully remove the heart template from under the baking sheet and let the cookies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or until they are no longer sticky to the touch. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 300˚F.
Bake one baking sheet of cookies at a time for 12-15 minutes. Then let them cool before you remove them from the baking sheet.
While the french Macarons are cooling down, let’s prepare the Butter Cream Cheese filling!
To make the Butter Cream Cheese filling you’ll need:
- Cream Cheese
- Unsalted Butter
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar
- Salt
Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix 8 ounces cream cheese, 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter (room temperature), 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 3 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix all the ingredients at high speed for about 4 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. it’s important for the butter and cream cheese to be at room temperature to make this easier and smooth.
Transfer the mixture into your filling injector or piping bag and let’s assemble the french cookie!
By now the cookies are already cool and they can easily release from the baking sheet.
Pipe a generous amount of the buttercream cheese filling onto the flat sides of the cookies, for this flip the cookies.
Place another cookie on top, one the matches the shape creating a sandwich cookie. It’s important to not touch the cookies on top. These are very delicate cookies. The best way to grab them is to hold them by the sides.
Now is time to enjoy these delicious cookies with those you love the most.
Happy Cooking :).
Below you will find a convenient printable recipe card. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or suggestions. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Valentine’s Heart French Macarons
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or hand mixer
- Filling injector/Decorating Icing
- Spatula
- Mixing bowls
- Silicon mat
- Heart Template
- Sifter
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup superfine almond flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs white room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar leveled
- red or pink gel food coloring
To make the Butter Cream Cheese filling you'll need:
- 8 oz. cream cheese ( 1 brick, softened to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter ( 1 stick, softened to room temperature)
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar (1 pound)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
How to make French Macaron:
- The first step and one that I suggest to not skip is to sift the dry ingredients first. To make this recipe I use 2/3 cup superfine almond flour and 1 cup powdered sugar. Sift those two into a mixing bowl and make sure to discard any debris left. Incorporate the almond flour with the powdered sugar and set it aside.
- The next step is to combine 2 large egg whites with 1/4 cup leveled granulated sugar. for this, I'm using my stand mixer, but you can also use a hand mixer to do this. Whip egg whites until foamy bubbles start to appear. Then gradually start adding the granulated sugar.
- Continue mixing at high speed until the mixture starts to look glossy and peaks forms. Avoid overbeating it, as this will create air in the mixture and affecting the texture of the cookie.
- Next, add red or pink gel food coloring and fold with a spatula. I decided to use both to accomplish this color. Just add little by little until you are satisfied with the color. Use a spatula to gently combine the gel into the mixture.
- In a folding motion integrate the dry ingredients (flour and powdered sugar) into the colorful mixture.
- Continue folding until the mixture is all combined and is soft. It's going to look a little grainy, that's ok when using Almond flour from the whole almonds. If you prefer a smooth and more clean batter use almond flour/meal from blanched almonds. This will not affect the flavors of the cookie.
- Print a copy of the heart template I created and place it under a baking sheet. To secure the page, I added in each corner of the back of the printout a dot of the sweet mixture. This will prevent the paper from moving. Then place the silicone liner or parchment paper over the heart template and start piping the batter. I also decided to make some french macarons circle-shaped, using this reusable silicone baking mat. This recipe makes a total of 24 cookies.
- Then, proceed to firmly tap the baking sheets over the counter, ( this can be loud, so make sure to alert the family, as they can get scared) about 15 times on each baking sheet to release air bubbles.
- Carefully remove the heart template from under the baking sheet and let the cookies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or until they are no longer sticky to the touch. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 300˚F.
- Bake one baking sheet of cookies at a time for 12-15 minutes. Then let them cool before you remove them from the baking sheet.
While the French Macarons are cooling down, let's prepare the Butter Cream Cheese filling!
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix 8 ounces cream cheese, 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter (room temperature), 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 3 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix all the ingredients at high speed for about 4 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature to make this easier and smooth.
- Transfer the mixture into your filling injector or piping bag and let's assemble the french cookie! By now the cookies are already cool and they can easily release from the baking sheet.
How to assemble the French Macarons
- Pipe a generous amount of the buttercream cheese filling onto the flat sides of the cookies, for this flip the cookies. Place another cookie on top, one the matches the shape creating a sandwich cookie. It's important to not touch the cookies on top. These are very delicate cookies. The best way to grab them is to hold them by the sides.
Notes
Until the next one…
Happy Cooking :).
Nutrition
*Nutritional Disclaimer: Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Let me know what you think about this recipe and don’t forget to contact me if you have any questions. it’s always a pleasure to hear from YOU! Don’t forget to tag your pictures to #asimpletweakrecipes on Instagram.
Until the next one…
I made these for Valentine’s Day. Everyone loved them. They were soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside and Delicious! Didn’t have the template so I just made them round. Came out perfect. Thanks for a great recipe. Think I will make them green for St. Patrick’s Day.
Hello there, Candy G. I am overjoyed that this recipe turned out well. I am grateful that you gave this recipe a shot. I really hope that you will be able to find some recipes here that are perfect for you and your loved ones.