Experience the delightful fusion of a beloved American classic and a sophisticated French pastry with these exquisite Strawberry Shortcake Macarons. This recipe transforms the quintessential summer dessert into delicate, chewy French macarons, offering a taste of sunshine in every bite. Far from being intimidating, these charming treats are surprisingly fun to make, rewarding your efforts with a burst of fresh strawberry and creamy vanilla buttercream.
I recently stumbled upon a quote on social media that resonated deeply with my passion for food. It read, “I just don’t want to look back and think… I could have eaten that.” While I certainly enjoy eating, for me, that sentiment translates more accurately to: “I just don’t want to look back and think… I could have MADE that.” This mindset fuels my culinary adventures, constantly pushing me to explore new techniques and conquer challenging recipes.
Conquering My Culinary Bucket List: The Macaron Journey
Like many home cooks, I have a mental “bucket list” of recipes – dishes that seem particularly challenging, those with a higher risk of going awry, or, to be completely honest, things I’ve been a little intimidated to try. Yes, I admit it: sometimes, even an experienced cook like myself gets a little nervous about certain recipes. Guests in my kitchen might assume only culinary masterpieces emerge, but let me assure you, I’ve had my fair share of kitchen disasters! We all have those moments when a recipe sounds fantastic on paper, only to result in a disheartening “heave-ho” straight into the trash after the first spoonful.
My baking bucket list tends to be significantly longer than my cooking one. While I adore cooking and can often salvage a dish by adjusting flavors, baking requires precision. As the great Ree Drummond wisely advises, “you can always add more, but you can’t take out what you’ve already put in.” This truth is particularly resonant in baking, where ratios and temperatures are critical. Over the years, I’ve learned invaluable lessons from my mistakes, steadily ticking off items from “the list.” I’ve proudly mastered brioche rolls and pretzel rolls, and now, with immense satisfaction, I can finally add macarons to that growing list of accomplishments!
The Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake Macarons: A Recipe Unveiled
For as long as I can remember, the elegant macaron has captivated me. Its delicate shell, vibrant colors, and luscious fillings always seemed like the pinnacle of pastry artistry. But with that beauty came an inherent intimidation: they looked so difficult, so time-consuming, requiring specialized tools like pastry bags and piping tips, and demanding absolute perfection. The sheer number of details felt overwhelming.
However, with a gentle nudge and expert guidance from my dear friend Hakeem, a talented pastry chef, I finally decided to tackle what I once considered the impossible. And guess what? They weren’t nearly as hard as I’d imagined! In fact, the process was incredibly enjoyable. There’s a certain meditative quality to carefully sifting ingredients, whipping egg whites to glossy peaks, and delicately folding the macaronage. Plus, the waiting period while the piped macaron shells rest—a crucial step for developing their signature “feet”—provides the perfect window to prepare your creamy, flavorful filling. It’s a beautifully choreographed dance of baking steps that makes the entire experience genuinely rewarding.
Strawberry Macaron Shell Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Egg whites
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream Filling Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Whole milk
- Fresh strawberries (finely chopped)
The versatility of macarons is truly astonishing; there are countless flavor and color combinations to explore. Hakeem suggested we create Strawberry Shortcake Macarons, a brilliant idea that perfectly captures the essence of summer. We adapted his classic macaron recipe, and the result was pure magic. TAA DAA! I am thrilled to present to you these absolutely irresistible Strawberry Shortcake Macarons, filled with a smooth, sweet vanilla buttercream and studded with fresh, juicy pieces of strawberries. Each bite is a miniature celebration of flavor and texture, a perfect harmony of delicate shell, creamy filling, and vibrant fruit.
My Baking Bucket List: Checked!
Strawberry Shortcake Macarons………DONE!! A huge thanks to Hakeem for his invaluable encouragement and expertise!
Expert Tips for Macaron Success:
- Embrace the Process: Macaron making is a journey. Don’t be discouraged if your first batch isn’t perfect. Practice makes perfect!
- Accuracy is Key: Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for almond flour and confectioners’ sugar. Macarons are sensitive to ingredient ratios.
- Room Temperature Egg Whites: Ensure your egg whites are at room temperature. This helps them whip up to their maximum volume and stability.
- Achieving the Right Macaronage: The folding of the almond flour mixture into the meringue, known as “macaronage,” is critical. Aim for a batter that flows slowly like lava from your spatula, forming a ribbon that disappears into itself within about 10-15 seconds. This consistency allows for smooth piping and the development of “feet.”
- The Crucial Resting Period: Don’t skip the 2-hour resting period after piping. This allows the shells to form a slight “skin,” which is essential for the characteristic “feet” to develop during baking and prevents cracking.
- Oven Calibration Matters: Ovens can vary widely. Consider using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is truly at 300°F (150°C). Slight temperature differences can drastically affect macaron texture and appearance.
- Make the Filling While Shells Rest: As noted in the recipe, preparing your delicious vanilla buttercream while the macaron shells are resting is an excellent way to optimize your time in the kitchen.
- Fresh Strawberries for Flavor Burst: Using fresh, finely chopped strawberries in the buttercream adds a wonderful burst of natural sweetness and a beautiful textural contrast, elevating the strawberry shortcake experience.
These Strawberry Shortcake Macarons are a fantastic entry point for anyone new to macaron making. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be creating bakery-worthy treats in no time. Their delicate crunch, chewy interior, and refreshing fruit filling make them an ideal dessert for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant tea parties. Enjoy the process, and savor the delicious results!
Explore More Macaron and Dessert Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed mastering these Strawberry Shortcake Macarons, you might be ready for your next baking adventure. Expand your repertoire with more delightful treats:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons – A rich and decadent combination for chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
12 Fresh and Fruity Summer Desserts – A collection of vibrant and refreshing treats perfect for warm weather.
Strawberry Shortcake Macarons
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Ingredients
Macarons:
- 2/3 cup almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 4 oz. egg whites (about 3 large eggs, room temperature)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Buttercream:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick room temperature)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 3-4 tsp. whole milk
- 1/2 cup strawberries (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl sift together almond flour and confectioners sugar. Set aside.
- Beat egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer using a whisk attachment until soft peaks form. (about 3 minutes) Slowly add granulated sugar and vanilla and continue to beat on high for 2 minutes until stiff peaks form. Add almond flour mixture to egg whites and fold in slowly by hand until well incorporated.
- Scoop macaron mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a #806 tip. Pipe quarter size circles (1 – 1 1/2 inch) on parchment lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart. After piping leave out to rest on your counter at room temperature for 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Bake macarons for 15-17 minutes. I only baked one tray at a time. Cool on tray before frosting.
Buttercream Frosting
- In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat butter and vanilla extract on medium speed until light and fluffy. (about 2 minutes)
- Turn mixer to low and slowly add confectioners sugar. Beat for 2 minutes scraping down the bowl after 1 minute.
- Add the milk one teaspoon at a time until the frosting is at a good piping consistency and continue to beat for 3-4 minutes.
- Scoop the buttercream frosting into a pastry bag fitted with the #806 tip and pipe the buttercream onto the flat side of one of the macarons, top with 4 to 5 finely chopped pieces of strawberry and then sandwich together.
Notes
- These macarons are fun and not hard to make. It is the perfect recipe to start with if you are new to making macarons.
- While you are waiting for the macarons to rest before baking – make your filling.
Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag Mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!