If you're looking for a delicious and elegant dessert to serve at your next party, look no further than french macarons. These bite-sized treats come in a variety of flavors and can be filled with just about anything you can imagine. Plus, making them at home is really simple! In this blog post, we'll give you recipes for some of our favorite french macaron fillings. So get ready to impress your guests with these beautiful and tasty cookies! Check our guide on National Chocolate's Day for yummy recipes!

What are French Macarons?

French macarons are delicate meringue-based cookies that are made with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar. They are often filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam, and come in a variety of colors and flavors. These pretty little cookies are a popular treat in France and have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years.

macarons

French macarons are light, airy almond meringue cookies that are sandwiched together with a variety of flavored fillings. They are delicate and have a smooth, glossy exterior. Macaroons, on the other hand, are denser and chewier. They are made with shredded coconut and held together with egg whites and sugar.

 

History of French Macaron

French macarons can be traced back to an Italian chef named Catherine de Medici who married King Henry II of France in 1533. She is credited with bringing the confection to France, where it quickly became popular at royal gatherings and celebrations.

 

The "Paris macaron" or "Gerbet" was its original name. In the early 20th century, Pierre Desfontaines of the French pastry shop Ladurée has occasionally been given credit for its invention, although another baker, Claude Gerbet, also asserts that they are the authors.

The first credits Pierre Desfontaines of the famed French pastry shop Ladurée with inventing the cookie in the early 1900s. According to this tale, Desfontaines was inspired by a certain type of Italian cookie and decided to create his version.

The other story credits Claude Gerbet with inventing the macaron in 1820. Gerbet was a baker from Nancy, France who supposedly created the cookies while trying to recreate an English dessert known as "macaroon."

 

Most Popular French Macaron Flavors & Fillings

There are a variety of different flavors when it comes to macarons. Some popular flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and pistachio. The most common filling for macarons is ganache, which is a mixture of chocolate and cream. Other popular fillings include buttercream, jams, and curds. When it comes to macarons, the sky's the limit when it comes to flavor combinations.

 

One of the things that make macarons so special is that they are delicate and require a light hand when made. This is why they are often considered a gourmet treat. Macarons are also unique in that they are one of the few desserts that can be both beautiful and delicious. There is something for everyone when it comes to macarons.

 

Pistachio Cream Filled Pistachio Macaron

pistachio macarons

Ingredients:

-150 grams of ground blanched almonds

-150 grams of confectioners’ sugar

-100 grams of finely ground pistachios

-90 grams of egg whites, aged overnight in the refrigerator

-25 grams of granulated sugar

-Green gel food coloring

 

Pistachio Cream Filling:

-200 grams of shelled pistachios

-250 grams of heavy cream

-100 grams of granulated sugar

-30 grams of cornstarch

-½ teaspoon kosher salt

-½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out, or ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

-100 grams (about ½ cup) of whole milk

 

Instructions:

- Make the macaron shells: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange two baking sheets with parchment paper.

- In a food processor, combine the almonds, confectioners’ sugar, and pistachios and process until finely ground.

- Sift the mixture three times to remove any lumps.

- Whip the egg whites on medium-low speed in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until frothy.

- Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.

- Gently fold in the nut mixture along with a few drops of green food coloring gel until evenly combined.

- Fit a pastry bag with a ½-inch plain round tip and fill it two-thirds full with the batter.

- Pipe out rounds onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart.

- Tap each baking sheet firmly on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.

- Bake for 15 minutes, until the macarons are firm and set. On the baking sheets, allow them to finish cooling.

 

Make the pistachio cream filling

- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the pistachios, heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla bean seeds and pulse until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.

- Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and whisk in the milk. Stirring continuously, cook until bubbling and thickened over medium heat. Turn off the heat and allow the food to cool fully.

To assemble

- Using a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip, pipe the pistachio cream onto half of the cooled macaron shells. Top with the remaining shells.

- Serve right away or keep in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.

 

Macarons are a delicious and beautiful treat that is perfect for any occasion. With so many different flavor combinations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a simple snack or a show-stopping dessert, macarons are the perfect choice. Here are few more recipes using chocolates if that's what fancies your taste.