Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express your love and creativity, and what better way to do that than with stunning Heart Shaped Macarons? These pretty pink treats are filled with a creamy vanilla buttercream and are sure to impress your loved ones. Whether you’re gifting them to your significant other, family, or friends, these macarons are the ideal sweet treat for the season of love.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make heart-shaped macarons that are as delicious as they are beautiful. With a free downloadable heart template and detailed instructions, even beginners can master these delightful confections.
Why You’ll Love These Heart Shaped Macarons
- Perfect for Valentine’s Day: The heart shape and pink hue make these macarons festive and romantic.
- Irresistible Flavor: The creamy vanilla buttercream filling pairs perfectly with the delicate almond-flavored shells.
- Customizable: You can easily change the colors and fillings to suit your taste or occasion.
Let’s dive into the recipe and ensure you achieve macaron perfection.
Ingredients for Heart Shaped Macarons
Macaron Shells:
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour
- 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites (approximately 90 grams, at room temperature)
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon red gel food coloring
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream Filling:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Tools You’ll Need
- Heart-shaped macaron template (downloadable for free)
- Piping bag with a small round tip
- Sifter
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Toothpicks
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Step-by-Step Instructions for Heart Shaped Macarons
1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Tools
Before you start, print out four copies of the heart template. Place them side by side on your baking sheets and cover them with parchment paper. This will guide your piping to ensure consistent heart shapes.
2. Sift the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together twice. This step is crucial for smooth, lump-free macaron shells. Set aside.
3. Whip the Egg Whites
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat.
Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until almost stiff peaks form. Add the red gel food coloring and vanilla extract, then continue beating until stiff peaks form. You should be able to turn the bowl upside down without the mixture falling out.
4. Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Gently fold one-third of the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the whipped egg whites using a spatula. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be smooth and flow like lava, forming a figure “8” without breaking.
5. Pipe the Macaron Shells
Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe the batter onto the parchment paper, filling the heart templates. After piping each column of hearts, use a toothpick to shape the batter to the edges and form a tip at the bottom of each heart.
6. Release Air Bubbles
Tap the baking sheet on the counter at least five times to release any air bubbles. Use a toothpick to pop any remaining bubbles on the surface of the macarons. This step helps prevent cracking during baking.
7. Let the Macarons Rest
Allow the macarons to rest in a dry area for 45 minutes to an hour. The tops should form a skin and no longer feel tacky to the touch. Resting is essential for achieving the iconic “feet” on your macarons.
8. Bake the Macarons
Preheat your oven to 315°F (160°C). Bake the macarons one sheet at a time for 13 minutes. During baking, the macarons should rise and form delicate feet. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Making the Vanilla Buttercream Filling
1. Cream the Butter
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
2. Add the Sugar and Cream
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. Mix in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract. Beat until the buttercream is light and fluffy.
3. Pipe the Filling
Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe the buttercream onto the flat side of half the macaron shells. Top with the remaining shells to create sandwiches.
Pro Tips for Perfect Heart Shaped Macarons
- Use Room Temperature Egg Whites: Room temperature egg whites whip up more easily and provide better volume.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can cause your macarons to lose their shape and airiness. Aim for a lava-like consistency.
- Let Them Rest: Skipping the resting step can result in cracked shells. Ensure the tops are no longer tacky before baking.
- Bake One Sheet at a Time: Baking multiple sheets can affect the oven’s temperature consistency, leading to uneven results.
- Refrigerate for Best Flavor: Macarons taste even better after 1-2 days in the refrigerator as the flavors meld together.
Storing Heart Shaped Macarons
To keep your macarons fresh:
- Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the macarons (without the filling) for up to 1 month. Thaw them in the refrigerator before assembling with the buttercream.
How to Make Perfect Heart Shaped Macarons for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
Macarons:
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour
- 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites (90g, room temperature)
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp red gel food coloring
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep Your Templates: Print 4 heart templates. Place parchment paper over the templates on baking sheets.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: Sift almond flour and powdered sugar twice into a large bowl.
- Whip the Egg Whites: Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Slowly add granulated sugar, then beat to stiff peaks. Add food coloring and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Fold dry ingredients into the meringue in thirds. Mix until the batter forms a ribbon-like “figure 8.”
- Pipe Hearts: Use a piping bag to fill the heart templates, smoothing with a toothpick. Tap trays to release air bubbles and pop any visible ones. Let rest 45-60 minutes until the tops are dry to touch.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 315°F (160°C). Bake one tray at a time for 13 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from parchment paper.
- Make Buttercream: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble: Pipe buttercream onto half of the macarons and sandwich with the other half.
- Refrigerate: Chill for 1-2 days for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
These macarons are a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day—or just because!
Why Heart Shaped Macarons are Perfect for Valentine’s Day
These delicate treats aren’t just delicious—they’re also a thoughtful, homemade gift that shows you care. The heart shape symbolizes love, while the pink color adds a festive touch. Plus, the combination of almond-flavored shells and creamy vanilla buttercream is irresistible.
Whether you’re new to macaron baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is sure to become a Valentine’s Day tradition. So grab your piping bag, print out the heart template, and let’s make some beautiful Heart Shaped Macarons!
FAQs
Q: Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel? A: It’s best to use gel food coloring for macarons because it provides vibrant color without altering the consistency of the batter.
Q: Why did my macarons crack? A: Cracking is often caused by skipping the resting step or uneven oven temperature. Make sure the macarons rest until they form a skin and bake at the recommended temperature.
Q: Can I change the filling flavor? A: Absolutely! You can use chocolate ganache, fruit preserves, or flavored buttercream to customize your macarons.
By following these steps and tips, you’ll create stunning Heart Shaped Macarons that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Happy baking!