The strawberry macaron was created in Paris, France, by Ladurée in 1834.
But it wasn’t until 1917 that the first American restaurant sold them—and they were served with strawberries.
What Is The Difference Between A Strawberry Macaron And A Regular Macaron?
There are two different types of macarons: the regular macaron and the strawberry macaron.
The biggest difference between these two varieties lies in their filling.
While all macarons have almond flour (or almond meal) as their base, some use coconut oil or butter instead of vegetable shortening.
Some also use egg whites rather than egg yolks.
But what can you expect from one type of macaron versus another?
Let’s look at the differences between these two popular French desserts.
Differences Between Regular Macarons and Strawberry Macarons
- Regular macarons contain no fruit juice or pulp. Fruit juices like lemon juice, orange juice, and even pureed fruits such as blueberries are added after baking to give the macarons an extra flavor boost. This makes sense because adding liquid to almond flour before baking will result in baked goods that are too soft.
- Strawberry macarons usually include a bit more sugar than regular ones. If this isn’t enough, try sprinkling powdered sugar over your finished product or drizzling melted chocolate syrup onto the top layer.
- While both versions of macarons may be topped with whipped cream, the classic version contains meringue while the strawberry version uses whipped cream flavored with vanilla extract.
- If you want to add a little flair to your dessert, consider making your own garnishes using fresh berries, edible flowers, or even grated nutmeg.
Ingredients for Making a Macaron Recipe
- 1 cup almond flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg whites
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon gelatin powder*
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3 drops red food coloring if desired
How Do You Make A Strawberry Macaron?
Strawberries are used as an ingredient in many baked goods, but never have I seen one made into a dessert.
That is, until now! The Strawberry Macaron Recipe is a delicious treat from Chef Daniela Martinez at Crave Culinary Adventures located in San Diego, California.
If you love macarons, this will be a new favorite of yours.
I had no idea what a strawberry macaron tasted like before trying this recipe.
When I opened my box of homemade macarons, I immediately noticed their lightness and fluffiness.
They were also incredibly moist inside, which surprised me because most macarons tend to dry out quickly when left sitting around too long.
These macarons were extremely delicate, almost airy, but still held together well enough to not fall apart after being bitten into or eaten whole.
If you want to try making your own strawberry macarons, here is everything you need to know about making these delectable treats.
- Ingredients
- Directions
- History
Why should you use fresh strawberries instead of frozen ones?
When using fresh strawberries, you can choose whether you would prefer a very soft texture or even some extra crunch.
Frozen strawberries work great if you don’t have access to fresh berries.
Can you freeze the finished product?
Yes, you can store these cookies in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Just let them thaw completely prior to eating.
What Is The History Of The Strawberry Macaron?
In December 2017, The Guardian reported on an article detailing the creation of the strawberry macaron as well as its history: “[T]he idea came from the owner of Le Jardin des Plantes who asked his chef to create something new for him… [the chef] had just been experimenting with making meringue into little balls, which he called petits fours, or little cakes.
He decided to try this technique with fresh fruit instead of cake batter.”
This French pastry began taking off when it debuted at the Salon International de la Pastrye (International Cake Show) in 1912.
In fact, the first American restaurant serving the dessert opened up in New York City in 1917.
And so, this sweet treat became very popular across Europe where it remains today.
How Did The Strawberry Macaron Become Popular?
Ladurée opened its doors in 1870, just after the French Revolution.
The company began selling pastries from their bakery, but the most famous item they made at this time was the almond macaron.
Their almond-based treats became so successful that they eventually expanded into other desserts like cakes and tarts, as well as candies.
In 1902, the company introduced the macaron filled with chocolate cream.
In 1903, they added white fillings like vanilla or pistachio cream, which helped increase sales even more.
By 1916, the chocolate macaron had surpassed all others in popularity, and soon they started creating new flavors like raspberry and orange marmalade.
But not long after that, the world changed forever when World War I ended.
Because sugar was scarce during wartime, people were forced to use less sweet foods, including sweets like macarons.
When the war ended, however, the demand for sugar skyrocketed, allowing businesses to once again produce these delectable cookies.
After the Second World War, the company continued producing delicious macarons filled with various creams.
They also experimented with different types of fillings, such as meringue, and they kept adding new flavors like lemon curd and caramelized bananas.
One of the most distinctive things about the classic macaron is that it has three layers: a bottom layer of almond paste, followed by a middle layer of jam, and finally topped off with a thin top layer of powdered sugar.
What Are Some Of The Best Strawberry Macaron Recipes?
Strawberries have always been associated with desserts, but their appearance in sweet confections didn’t start until around 1750, when French pastry chefs began adding berries to cakes and pastries.
The strawberry macaron has since evolved into an iconic dessert that can be found at many bakeries across the world.
There are several different types of macarons, including chocolate, pistachio, orange blossom water, vanilla bean, almond rosewater, and lavender.
Here are some of the best recipes available online for this delicious treat.
1. Chocolate Macaron Recipe
This simple yet elegant recipe for chocolate macarons comes from Bon Appetit magazine.
They recommend using a food processor to crush the almonds before mixing everything together.
Once you do this, mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly then add the egg whites and melted butter.
Blend well to combine.
Next, fold in your chopped or sliced fruit along with any other flavorings (such as mint) you choose.
Lastly, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon out small portions onto the baking sheet so they don’t stick together while baking.
Bake these little beauties at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.
Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
2. Strawberry Macaron Recipe
You might not think about making fresh strawberries for a macaron recipe, but if you want to get creative with your options, this recipe from Serious Eats will help.
You’ll need three cups of shelled unsalted raw cashews, four eggs plus one yolk, two teaspoons of cream of tartar, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons corn flour, 2 sheets of phyllo dough, and eight ounces of frozen strawberries.
To begin, process your nuts in a food processor until finely ground.
Add the remaining ingredients except the phyllo dough and blend again.
Next, transfer your mixture to a bowl and knead until it becomes smooth and pliable.
Wrap your phyllo dough in plastic wrap and flatten it slightly.
Place half of the flattened dough over the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and repeat with the rest of the dough.
Using a sharp knife, cut through the layers of phyllo so each layer covers the previous ones.
Repeat with the remaining dough.
Bake the macaroon base at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes.
After removing the pan from the oven, cover it with plastic wrap and let the base cool completely.
After 30 minutes, remove the top layer of plastic wrap and fill the middle layer of dough with your strawberry filling.
Cover with the final layer of phyllo and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 more minutes.
When the macaron is done, allow it to cool completely before slicing.
3. Vanilla Bean Macaron Recipe
For a classic taste of France, try this recipe from Epicurious.
To create the finished product, simply place six egg whites, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of powdered sugar in a large bowl.
Beat the egg white mixture until stiff peaks form.
Fold in one cup granulated sugar slowly until incorporated.
Now, sift one cup of almond meal powder and one cup of powdered sugar into the mixture.
Then, gently fold in your crushed vanilla beans.
Finally, scoop the batter into a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.
Pipe a circle shape onto a tray lined with nonstick baking parchment.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 14 minutes.
4. Almond Rosewater Macaron Recipe
If you like floral scents, this recipe from Food Network should please you.
For this recipe, you’ll need 4 dozen egg whites, one cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of corn starch, and 1/4 cup of dried rose petals.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
Sift one cup of powdered sugar over the mixture.
Gently fold in the flour mixture with a spatula.
Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and pipe circles onto trays covered with nonstick cooking parchment.
Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 14 minutes.
5. Orange Blossom Water Macaron Recipe
Orange blossoms aren’t just used for decoration in the springtime.
Try this recipe from Allrecipes and find out why! Simply take five oranges, peel and juice them, and strain the liquid through cheesecloth.
Mix the pulp with one pound of sugar and one cup of heavy whipping cream.
Whip the mixture until soft peaks form.
Now, fold in your orange flower water.
Line a cookie sheet with nonstick baking parchment and use a spoon to spread the orange mixture evenly over the surface.
Sprinkle with your favorite topping (I suggest powdered sugar).
Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 23 minutes.
What Are Some Of The Most Popular Strawberry Macaron Flavors?
Strawberries have been linked to health benefits since ancient times.
The fruit contains anthocyanins which help fight inflammation, improve sleep quality, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and increase bone strength.
In addition, strawberries contain vitamin K, folate, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and biotin.
So what makes these little cakes so special?
Well, according to Food Network, “they combine buttery shortbread cookies with sweetened cream cheese filling and topped with fresh or dried berries (or both).”
So if you want to create your own delicious homemade version of this classic French dessert, here are some of the most popular options out there right now!
Classic Strawberry Macarons Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 5 egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Fresh or frozen strawberries
Chocolate Strawberry Macarons Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs, separated
- ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- Frozen strawberries
Mint Chocolate Chip Strawberry Macarons Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 9 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mint oil
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅓ cup white whole wheat flour
- ⅔ cup dark cocoa powder
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
- Raspberries
Cranberry & White Chocolate Raspberry Macarons Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 11⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
- ⅓ cup cold water
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
- Zest from 1 orange
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- White chocolate chips
What Are Some Of The Most Unique Strawberry Macaron Flavors?
Strawberries are often used as fillings for pastries like cakes or cookies, but what about macarons? Macarons are made from almond flour (or sometimes hazelnut) and egg whites whipped into stiff peaks.
The macaroon shell is usually colored white, pink, red, blue, or green and filled with sweetened meringue, which has been flavored with extracts such as vanilla, raspberry, lemon, orange, chocolate, pistachio, and even mint.
In addition, there are also savory macarons that use cheese instead of sugar.
Strawberry macarons can be found at bakeries around the world, including Ladurée in Paris and Gelateria dei Gracchi in Rome.
They can also be purchased online through companies like Bakesale Betty and Etsy.
If you want to create your own homemade version, here are the best recipes out there!
What Is The Difference Between A Strawberry Macaron And A Strawberry Tart?
A strawberry macaron is a French pastry made from almond flour, egg whites, sugar, and gelatin (or pectin).
The almond flour gives the pastry its signature texture while also giving it an earthy flavor.
Egg whites provide structure and lift to the dessert while making sure each bite has a smooth mouthfeel.
Sugar adds sweetness and helps bind everything together.
Gelatin or pectin provides moisture so that the cookie doesn’t dry out too quickly.
All three components work well together.
Strawberries add color and freshness to the dessert while bringing their own distinct taste profile and juicy texture.
When you eat a strawberry macaron, you get all of these things plus some additional creaminess from the whipped egg white mixture.
In addition to being delicious, they look great as well!
What Is The Difference Between A Strawberry Macaron And A Strawberry Cake?
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in America and the world because of their sweet, juicy flavor.
While you might think of these little treats as desserts, they don’t have any sugar or flour.
Instead, they contain almond meal (or almond powder), egg whites, gelatin, and powdered sugar.
So what gives them the unique taste that makes people love them so much?
Most modern recipes call for fresh strawberries, but some older ones use frozen berries instead.
If you want to try this out at home, be sure to wash your fruit well before you slice it up.
Also, if you plan on using gelatin, make sure you buy pure leaf gelatine and not food-grade gelatine.
Food grade gelatines will melt too quickly when heated, which could result in a mess!
How Can
The process of making macarons involves many steps.
The most important step is creaming egg whites and sugar into stiff peaks.
You need to use an electric beater or stand mixer to do this, but if you don’t have one, just whip your eggs using hand beaters (not too vigorously) for about 10 minutes.
Once your whites are stiff, add any flavorings you want.
I used vanilla extract.
Then fold together your flour mixture and incorporate some of the white mixture into it as well.
This will help keep your batter light and fluffy.
Now comes the fun part! Line baking sheets with parchment paper and place silicone molds onto each sheet.
Fill each mold three-quarters full with batter.
Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
After that time has elapsed, remove from the oven and let cool completely before removing the molds.
Now that we know what goes inside our macarons, it’s time to get to work on the outside.
First, brush the tops of the cookies lightly with water so that they won’t dry out.
Next, set the cookies aside while you prepare the filling.
Melt chocolate over low heat and then combine it with cream cheese.
Stir until smooth.
Dip half of each cookie into the thickened cream cheese mixture and arrange on a plate.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Ingredients
For the shells
- 260 grams confectioners’ sugar
- 150 grams Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour
- 10 g strawberry powder
- 150 grams egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream tartar
- 52 grams granulated sugar
- 1-2 drops red gel food coloring
For the filling
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 70 g egg whites
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 169 g unsalted butter
- 20 g strawberry powder
Instructions
Make the shells
- Position the lower third of the oven rack. This is located right below the oven’s center. Place 4 additional baking sheets with silicone macaron mats on top of the rack, along with an empty baking sheet. the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sift the almond flour, confectioners’ sugar, and strawberry powder into a big basin using a fine-mesh sieve. Repeat 2-4 times, then throw any clumps away. The clumps shouldn’t be forced through the sieve!
- The egg whites and cream of tartar should be whipped on medium speed in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until frothy. Granulated sugar should be added gradually. Whip until soft peaks develop while increasing the speed to a high level. If used, add 1-2 drops of food coloring.
- Whip constantly at high speed until a beautiful, thick meringue forms. Take particular caution not to whip too much.
- Fold half of the almond mixture into the meringue with a silicone spatula until completely incorporated. At this point, it’s acceptable to be a little rough. You want to remove some of the batter’s air.
- Gently fold in the remaining almond mixture after adding it. The batter might go awry at this stage. Problems with the macarons’ baking will result from either overmixing or undermixing. You’ll need to pause after a few stirs to assess the batter’s consistency. Do this repeatedly until the batter is perfect. (The batter ought should flow like lava and be glossy. As you draw a figure 8, you can let the batter flow off the spatula without worrying about it breaking. You should be able to rest the figure 8 you just created on top of the batter in the bowl without it sinking in or bending.)
- Transfer the batter to a large pastry bag fitted with a medium round piping tip. Be as gentle as you can with the process. Try not to overwork the batter.
- Pipe 1 to 2-inch rounds onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently tap the baking sheet on the countertop to bring any air bubbles to the surface. Let the macarons sit for 30 to 60 minutes, until a dry skin forms on the surface. They should not feel sticky to the touch when going into the oven.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, one sheet at a time. When you can gently press on the macaron’s shell and move your finger back and forth without it shifting, the macarons are finished. The macaron needs one or two more minutes to bake if the top is wavy.
- On the baking sheet placed on a wire rack, the shells can cool fully. Wait until the shells have totally cooled before attempting to take them off the silicone pad; otherwise, they might stick and shatter.
- Strawberry buttercream is sandwiched between two cookies. Bring the filled macarons to room temperature right before serving and store them in the refrigerator for at least one to three days. This is how they taste best.
Make the filling
- Combine the sugar, egg whites, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water. Whisk gently and continuously while heating the mixture. It should register 150°F on an instant-read thermometer. The sugar should be fully dissolved.
- Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and fit it with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is the consistency of shaving cream and cooled slightly, 1-2 minutes. (If the meringue is warm it will melt the butter.)
- Add the butter gradually, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is creamy and smooth. (Only add the subsequent tablespoon of butter after the previous one has been thoroughly incorporated.)
- After all the butter has been added, scrape the bowl’s sides, then beat on medium-high for about 30 seconds, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Strawberry powder should be added and mixed on medium-high until fully blended.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.