How to Make Basic Macaron Shells

This step-by-step guide will give you the confidence to make these pretty and petite confections yourself.

For a visual step-by-step guide on how to make macarons, find gallery below. Bonne chance!

STEP 1 In a large mixing bowl, combine confectioner's sugar and ground almonds. Add egg whites and mix well; set aside.

STEP 2 Place egg whites in a mixing bowl and start whipping at high speed using a whisk attachment. Whip the egg whites to medium peaks.

STEP 3a While continuously whipping the whites on high speed, slowly and carefully add the syrup to the mixing bowl, pouring the mixture in a fine stream on the side of the bowl.

STEP 3b Add food coloring of choice and continue whipping until stiff peaks form and the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit to 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

STEP 4 Using a large rubber scraper, gently fold the ground almond mixture into the beaten egg whites in three batches. This crucial step is called "macaronage".

STEP 5 Pipe 1 1/2-inch rounds on the mat, leaving a 1-inch space between each circle.

STEP 6 Leave the piped macarons to dry in an air-conditioned or draft-free room for a minimum of 3 hours.

STEP 7 After baking, place shells on a rack and let cool.

STEP 8 Place shells on a Basic Italian Buttercream. This buttercream serves as the base and blank canvas for the many flavors you can fill your macaron shells with. Click to find our site's macaron recipes