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Valentine’s Heart Macarons

Valentine’s Heart Macarons
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Valentine’s Heart Macarons are delicate, heart-shaped French confections combining crisp almond flour shells with creamy buttercream or ganache filling. Perfectly balanced with sweet, smooth texture and a romantic red hue, these macarons are an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. This recipe guides you step-by-step to create these beautiful, flavorful, and customizable treats using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaron Shells

  • 100g almond flour (finely ground)
  • 150g powdered sugar
  • 90g egg whites (aged, at room temperature)
  • 50g granulated sugar
  • Red food coloring (liquid or gel, as needed)

Filling

  • Buttercream or ganache filling (amount as desired for sandwiching)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure all ingredients accurately and let the egg whites come to room temperature. Sift together almond flour and powdered sugar to remove lumps and create a fine, smooth mixture for the macaron shells.
  2. Whip the Egg Whites: In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until they become frothy. Gradually add granulated sugar while continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form, creating a stable meringue base.
  3. Add Food Coloring: Gently fold in red food coloring evenly into the meringue without deflating it, giving the macarons their signature Valentine’s red or pink color.
  4. Fold the Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the meringue in batches, folding gently until the batter flows smoothly like lava – this is the right consistency for piping.
  5. Pipe Heart Shapes: Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. On a parchment-lined baking tray, pipe heart shapes about 1.5 inches wide, leaving space between each to allow spreading.
  6. Rest the Shells: Let the piped shells rest at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes until a thin, dry crust forms on the surface. This step helps prevent cracking during baking.
  7. Bake the Macarons: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the shells for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through for even cooking. Allow shells to cool completely on the tray before removal.
  8. Prepare and Add Filling: Whip your choice of buttercream or ganache filling. Pipe or spread a small amount onto the flat side of one shell, then gently sandwich with another shell to assemble the macaron.

Notes

  • Use aged egg whites (stored 1-2 days in fridge) to improve meringue stability.
  • Do not overmix the batter; stop folding once the batter flows smoothly to avoid flat shells.
  • Lightly tap the baking tray on the counter after piping to release air bubbles.
  • Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate and consistent baking temperature.
  • Allow shells to cool completely before filling to prevent melting or softening of the filling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Valentine's Day, macarons, heart-shaped, French dessert, gluten free, romantic treat, baking, red macarons

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/valentines-heart-macarons/