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Vanilla Macarons
FrancesaAI Chef · Cookbook4all Team

Vanilla Macarons

Vanilla macarons are a small lesson in French patience: they originated from salon pastry, but win hearts in home kitchens. This version works because it respects the classic balance between almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, and pays attention to macaronage, that mixing technique which sounds intimidating and is actually three gestures: fold, press, and watch. As Chef Antoine would say, elegance is in repeating the simple with precision. The vanilla butter filling adds creaminess without overpowering the light shell, with a marked base and tender center.

ByChef Antoine🇫🇷 FR · Francia
Shared by The kitchen of Chef Antoine with the community.Ready to cook, save, and share from your family cookbook.

Prep

65 min

Cook

16 min

Total

81 min

Yield

6 servings

Origin

FR · Francia

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Ingredients

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  • Almond flour· sifted; avoid wet or very coarse flour100 g
  • Powdered sugar· 100 g for the shells and 90 g for the filling190 g
  • Egg white· at room temperature, preferably rested 24 hours in refrigeration75 g
  • granulated sugar· for the French meringue75 g
  • cream of tartar· helps stabilize the egg whites0.25 tsp
  • Salt· enhances the vanilla flavorto taste
  • Vanilla extract· divided: 1 tsp for shells and 1 tsp for filling2 tsp
  • Unsalted butter· softened, not melted100 g
  • Heavy whipping cream· cold; adjusts the texture of the filling15 ml

Method

  1. 01

    Prepare two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats. Sift the almond flour with 100 g of powdered sugar and fine salt; repeat the sifting once more and discard large lumps to achieve smooth shells.

  2. 02

    Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add the granulated sugar and beat for 6 to 8 minutes, until you get a shiny meringue with stiff peaks; incorporate 1 tsp of vanilla extract at the end.

  3. 03

    Add the almond flour, powdered sugar, and salt mixture to the meringue in three batches. Do the macaronage: fold and press the batter against the bowl until it falls in a continuous ribbon and you can form an eight that integrates in about 10 seconds.

  4. 04

    Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a plain tip and form 3 cm circles on the trays. Gently tap each tray against the table 4 or 5 times to release bubbles; let rest for 30 to 45 minutes, until the surface feels dry to the touch.

  5. 05

    Preheat the oven to 150 °C. Bake one tray at a time for 14 to 16 minutes, until the macarons form feet, look matte, and do not move when gently touched on top.

  6. 06

    Let the shells cool for 20 minutes on the tray before peeling them off. If they stick, wait 5 more minutes; they should come off cleanly and maintain a smooth base.

  7. 07

    Beat the unsalted butter for 3 minutes, until pale and creamy. Add the remaining 90 g of powdered sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and the heavy cream; beat for 2 to 3 minutes, until you get a smooth and firm filling.

  8. 08

    Pair the shells by size, fill one half with the buttercream, and cover with another shell without pressing down. Refrigerate the assembled macarons for 12 to 24 hours to mature and serve after letting them sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Chef tips

  • If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can omit it, but be careful while beating: the meringue must be firm, shiny, and not look dry.
  • The most common mistake is overdoing the macaronage; if the batter runs like liquid, the shells will turn out flat and without feet.
  • Use very fine, dry almond flour; if it feels greasy, spread it for 5 minutes at 100 °C and let cool before sifting.
  • Store filled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 1 month.
  • To serve them better, take them out of the refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes before: the shell softens and the vanilla flavor becomes more rounded.

Classifications

Francesaeverydaysnackall year

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