Description
This Chocolate Macaron Recipe creates perfect bakery-style French macarons at home—light, crisp shells filled with silky chocolate ganache. Master this foolproof technique for elegant, chewy, chocolatey cookies that melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
For the Chocolate Ganache Filling
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tsp espresso powder (for deeper flavor)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Sea salt flakes for garnish
Instructions
1. Wipe mixing bowls clean with vinegar to remove grease.
2. Sift almond flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder together twice. Discard any coarse bits.
3. Whip egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy; slowly add granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold dry ingredients gently into meringue until batter flows like lava and settles in 10 seconds.
5. Transfer batter to piping bag fitted with 1/2-inch tip and pipe 1-inch rounds on lined baking sheets.
6. Tap trays to release air bubbles and smooth surfaces with a toothpick if needed.
7. Let rest 30–40 minutes until shells form a dry skin and are no longer sticky.
8. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15–17 minutes until set and easily lift off parchment.
9. Make the ganache: Heat cream until steaming, pour over chopped chocolate, add butter and salt, and stir until smooth.
10. Cool ganache until thickened, then fill macarons by sandwiching two shells with ganache in between.
11. Refrigerate 24 hours before serving for best chewy texture.
Notes
**Storage:** Keep in airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze up to 1 month.
**Make-Ahead:** Bake shells ahead, freeze, and fill the day before serving.
**Serving Tip:** Bring to room temperature before eating for the best flavor.
**Troubleshooting:** Cracked shells? They weren’t rested enough. Hollow centers? Slightly under-baked.
**Flavor Variations:** Add espresso powder, mint, or raspberry jam in the center for new twists.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, French Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg