Raspberry macarons are delicate French sandwich cookies made with light almond shells and a smooth, flavorful raspberry filling. They look elegant, taste sweet and slightly tangy, and are perfect for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, tea parties, or special dessert boxes. This recipe is written in a clear, step-by-step way to help you get beautiful macarons at home.
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour, finely ground
- ¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
For the Raspberry Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons raspberry puree or seedless raspberry jam
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together into a bowl.Discard any large bits and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Meringue
In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.Add vanilla and gel food coloring if using.
Step 3: Macaronage
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula.Mix until the batter flows slowly like lava and forms ribbons.
Step 4: Pipe and Rest
Transfer batter to a piping bag with a round tip.Pipe small circles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.Tap the tray on the counter to release air bubbles.Let macarons rest for 30–45 minutes until tops are dry to the touch.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).Bake for 14–16 minutes until macarons have feet and do not wobble.Let cool completely before removing.
Step 6: Make the Filling
Beat butter until creamy.Add powdered sugar gradually.Mix in raspberry puree and vanilla until smooth.
Step 7: Assemble
Pipe raspberry filling onto one shell and sandwich with another.Gently press together.
Cooking Notes
- Use a kitchen scale for best accuracy
- Egg whites must be room temperature
- Do not overmix the batter or shells will spread
- Resting the macarons is important for good feet
- Oven temperatures vary, so test one tray first
Variation
- Use raspberry cream cheese filling for a tangy taste
- Add white chocolate to the filling for extra sweetness
- Make heart-shaped macarons for Valentine’s Day
- Swap raspberry for strawberry or blackberry puree
- Dust shells lightly with edible shimmer for a fancy look
Tips
- Wipe bowls and beaters with vinegar to remove grease
- Use gel coloring, not liquid
- Let macarons mature in the fridge for 24 hours for best flavor
- Store filled macarons in an airtight container
- Practice piping for even sizes
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate
- Add to Valentine’s Day dessert boxes
- Use as cake toppers for special cakes
- Serve chilled for a firmer texture
- Pair with fresh raspberries on a platter
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Nutritional Info (Approximate per macaron)
Calories: 120
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 6g
Sugar: 12g
FAQs
Are raspberry macarons hard to make?
They need practice, but following steps carefully makes them easier.
Why did my macarons crack?
- They may not have rested long enough or the oven was too hot.
Can I make them ahead?
- Yes, they taste better after resting in the fridge.
Can I freeze macarons?
- Yes, freeze assembled macarons in an airtight container.
Are these good for Valentine’s Day?
- Yes, they are one of the most popular Valentine desserts.
Conclusion
Raspberry macarons are elegant, delicious, and perfect for special occasions. With crisp shells and creamy raspberry filling, they look bakery-style but can be made at home with patience and simple steps.