French Buttercream Macarons
They say Paris is always a good idea.
But what if you could bring Paris to your kitchen — no passport, no plane ticket — just a quiet afternoon, a cup of tea, and the satisfying clink of a whisk?
That’s what French Buttercream Macarons offer.
They’re not just cookies.
They’re elegance, precision, and a little touch of rebellion — all nestled between two delicate almond shells.
You don’t just make macarons.
You craft them. You coax them into being. You whisper sweet nothings into the batter and hold your breath when they bake.
But oh — when they do it right?
When that perfect foot appears?
When the shell is smooth, the bite is chewy, and the buttercream melts like silk?
It’s magic.
French Buttercream Macarons
Cuisine: Dessert, FrenchDifficulty: Difficult10
servings45
minutes40
minutes400
kcalIngredients
- Buttercream Filling
2 Cups confectioners’ sugar
6 oz Raspberries
1 Tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 Tsp. coconut extract (optional)
2 Tablespoons coconut milk
2 sticks salted butter, softened
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
- Macarons
1 3/4 Cups confectioners’ sugar
1 1/4 Cups almond flour
1/4 Cup coconut flour
2/3 Cup egg whites
3 T granulated sugar
1-3 drops red or pink food coloring (optional)
Directions
- For the Macarons
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F using the convection setting. Line 3 baking sheets with silicone mats. Measure the confectioners’ sugar and almond flour by spooning them into measuring cups and leveling with a knife. Transfer to a bowl; whisk to combine.
- Sift the sugar-almond flour mixture, a little at a time, through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing with a rubber spatula to pass through as much as possible. It will take a while, and up to 2 tablespoons of coarse almond flour may be left; just toss it
- Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with a mixer on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium high; gradually add the superfine sugar and beat until stiff and shiny, about 5 more minutes.
- Bake the first batch until the cookies are shiny and rise 1/8 inch to form a “foot,” about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat, using a double sheet for each batch. Peel the cookies off the mats and sandwich with a thin layer of filling (see below).
- For the Filling
- Tint the batter with 2 drops neon pink gel food coloring; flavor with almond extract. Fill with seedless raspberry jam (you’ll need about 3/4 cup).
- Use a clean piping bag to pipe the filling on top of the bottom cookie. Now place another cookie on top. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
