6 Amazing Ideas For Homemade French Macarons

Let’s be real—French macarons are the Beyoncé of desserts. They’re elegant, a little high-maintenance, and absolutely worth the effort.

And you know what? You don’t need to be a pastry chef to whip up these delicate treats at home. With a little patience (and maybe a few failed batches), you can create macarons that’ll make your friends think you’ve secretly been training in Paris.

FYI, IMO, macarons are the ultimate flex in the baking world. 😉

1. Classic Vanilla Bean Macarons

Let’s start with the OG—vanilla bean macarons. These are the little black dress of the macaron world: timeless, versatile, and always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they’re the perfect canvas for experimenting with fillings later.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together. (Yes, sifting is non-negotiable. Don’t skip it!)
2. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites and salt until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
3. Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the meringue (or add vanilla extract) and gently fold in the almond flour mixture.
4. Pipe the batter onto a baking sheet and let it rest for 30 minutes. Bake at 300°F for 15-18 minutes.
5. Sandwich with your favorite filling (buttercream, ganache, or jam) and enjoy!

Pro Tip: If your macarons crack, don’t panic. It’s probably because you didn’t let them rest long enough. Patience, grasshopper.

2. Matcha Green Tea Macarons

Feeling fancy? Matcha macarons are here to elevate your baking game. These vibrant green treats are earthy, slightly bitter, and oh-so-sophisticated. Perfect for impressing your hipster friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp matcha powder
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Follow the same steps as the vanilla macarons, but add the matcha powder to the almond flour mixture before sifting.
2. Pipe, rest, and bake as usual.
3. Fill with white chocolate ganache or matcha buttercream for extra matcha goodness.

Pro Tip: Use high-quality matcha for the best flavor. Cheap matcha tastes like grass. Not cute.

3. Salted Caramel Macarons

Sweet, salty, and downright addictive—salted caramel macarons are the ultimate indulgence. These are the macarons you make when you want to treat yourself (or bribe someone).

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Make the macaron shells following the classic recipe.
2. Once cooled, pipe a small amount of salted caramel sauce onto one shell and sandwich with another.
3. Drizzle extra caramel on top for a fancy finish.

Pro Tip: If you’re feeling extra, add a sprinkle of sea salt on top. It’s all about that salty-sweet balance.

4. Raspberry Rose Macarons

These macarons are basically a bouquet in dessert form. The floral notes of rose pair perfectly with the tartness of raspberry, making them a romantic treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp rose water
• Pink food coloring (optional)
• ½ cup raspberry jam (for filling)

Instructions

1. Add rose water and a drop of pink food coloring to the meringue before folding in the dry ingredients.
2. Pipe, rest, and bake as usual.
3. Fill with raspberry jam and dust with powdered sugar for a dreamy finish.

Pro Tip: A little rose water goes a long way. Don’t overdo it, or your macarons will taste like perfume.

5. Chocolate Hazelnut Macarons

Calling all Nutella lovers! These macarons are rich, nutty, and downright decadent. They’re basically a fancy way to eat your favorite spread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread (for filling)

Instructions

1. Add cocoa powder to the almond flour mixture before sifting.
2. Pipe, rest, and bake as usual.
3. Fill with chocolate hazelnut spread and enjoy the Nutella magic.

Pro Tip: For extra indulgence, dip the tops of the macarons in melted chocolate. Because why not?

6. Lemon Lavender Macarons

Bright, zesty, and floral—these macarons are like a spring day in dessert form. The lemon adds a refreshing tang, while the lavender brings a subtle, calming aroma.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp dried lavender (culinary grade)
• ½ cup lemon curd (for filling)

Instructions

1. Add lemon zest and lavender to the almond flour mixture before sifting.
2. Pipe, rest, and bake as usual.
3. Fill with lemon curd and sprinkle with extra lavender for a pretty finish.

Pro Tip: Make sure your lavender is culinary grade. Non-edible lavender belongs in potpourri, not your macarons.

FAQs

1. Why do my macarons crack?

This usually happens if you don’t let the piped batter rest long enough before baking. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes to form a skin.

2. Can I use liquid food coloring?

Yes, but use it sparingly. Too much liquid can mess with the batter’s consistency. Gel food coloring is a better option.

3. How do I store macarons?

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They actually taste better after a day or two!

4. Can I freeze macarons?

Absolutely! Freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

5. Why are my macarons hollow?

This can happen if you overmix the batter or underbake the shells. Practice makes perfect!

Final Thoughts

French macarons might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of them, they’re incredibly fun to make. Whether you go classic or get creative with flavors, these little treats are sure to impress. So, what are you waiting for? Get baking, and don’t forget to share your creations (or at least brag about them on Instagram). 🥳