Description
Fall in love with these adorable heart-shaped macarons, featuring delicate almond shells and a smooth, creamy filling. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion where you want to share a little sweetness and elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (optional)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour to remove any lumps.
- Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until they form stiff peaks. Gradually add granulated sugar, continuing to beat until glossy.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients and vanilla extract, adding a few drops of red food coloring for a pink hue (optional). The batter should flow smoothly but not be runny.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe heart shapes onto the parchment paper, making each one about 1.5 inches wide.
- Tap the baking sheet gently to release air bubbles, then let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until the surface is dry to the touch.
- Bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
- For the filling, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Add heavy cream until the desired consistency is reached.
- Pair up the macaron shells, then pipe or spread the filling onto the flat side of one shell and sandwich it with the other.
Notes
- Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature before beating for best results.
- Be gentle when folding the batter to avoid deflating the mixture.
- You can use any color for the macaron shells or even swirl a few colors for a fun effect.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes