Chocolate Macarons Recipe 🍫
If you’ve ever admired those glossy, delicate French cookies in a bakery display and thought they were too hard to make at home—this recipe will change your mind. These Chocolate Macarons are crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with a luscious dark chocolate ganache. They’re sophisticated, decadent, and worth every minute.
Why I Love This Recipe
Mastering macarons feels like a baking badge of honor. These chocolate versions are:
- Intensely chocolatey without being too sweet
- Beautiful and gift-worthy
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for make-ahead
- Naturally gluten-free
Even better, once you get the method down, the flavor variations are endless.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 cup (120 g) almond flour
- 1¾ cups (200 g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar (optional)
For the Chocolate Ganache Filling:
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 4 oz (115 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
🔄 Swaps & Notes
- Almond Flour: Ensure it’s superfine for a smooth shell. Don’t substitute with regular flour.
- Cocoa Powder: Use Dutch-processed for a deeper color and smoother taste.
- Chocolate: You can use milk or white chocolate for a different flavor in the ganache.
- Add Flavors: A drop of espresso extract or orange zest in the ganache takes these over the top.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare Baking Sheets
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients
Sift almond flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder together into a bowl. This ensures a smooth, lump-free macaron shell.
3. Make the Meringue
In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites on medium until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and a pinch of salt. Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Add cream of tartar if using.
4. Fold Batter
Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the meringue in three additions. Mix just until the batter flows like thick lava and ribbons off the spatula.
5. Pipe
Transfer batter into a piping bag with a round tip. Pipe 1.5-inch rounds onto prepared sheets. Tap the pans firmly on the counter to release air bubbles.
6. Rest
Let the macarons sit at room temp for 30–60 minutes, until they develop a dry “skin” and are no longer sticky to the touch.
7. Bake
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake one sheet at a time for 15–18 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from the baking sheets.
🍫 Make the Ganache
- Heat cream in a small saucepan until it begins to simmer.
- Pour over chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit 1 minute.
- Stir until smooth, then add butter and mix until combined.
- Let the ganache cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
🧁 Assemble the Macarons
- Match similar-sized macaron shells.
- Pipe or spread ganache on one shell.
- Gently sandwich with the matching shell.
- Refrigerate for at least 24 hours to let flavors and textures meld.
✅ Tips for Success
- Weigh your ingredients for accuracy—macarons are all about precision.
- Use aged egg whites (separated and left in the fridge overnight) for better structure.
- Don’t skip the rest time—it helps develop that perfect macaron “foot”.
- Bake one tray at a time for even results.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Pairings
Serve chocolate macarons:
- With espresso or black tea
- Paired with a glass of red wine or chocolate liqueur
- As part of a dessert board with berries, cheeses, and other sweets
🧊 Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze assembled macarons up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Best flavor develops after at least 24 hours of rest in the fridge.
🍴 More Recipes You Will Love
If chocolate’s your love language, don’t miss these:
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession
- This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings
- This Edible Cookie Dough Is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late Night Cravings
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime
- These Copycat Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies Are My Secret Weapon Dessert
🔚 Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Macarons may look fancy, but once you get the hang of it, they’re totally doable—and absolutely worth it. The crisp shells, creamy ganache, and intense chocolate flavor are an unbeatable combo.
Tried them? Snap a pic and tag us—we’d love to see your sweet success! And don’t forget to follow for more chocolatey delights.
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