Valentine’s Day Macarons with Raspberry Filling

Introduction

There are few desserts as elegant and romantic as macarons. These delicate French confections are made with almond flour, whipped egg whites, and sugar, creating crisp, airy shells with a chewy interior. For Valentine’s Day, nothing says “I love you” quite like a box of homemade Valentine’s Day Macarons with Raspberry Filling.

The soft pastel-pink macaron shells sandwich a luscious raspberry filling, perfectly balancing sweetness with a gentle tartness. They look like little jewels and taste just as magical. While macarons have a reputation for being tricky, with a little patience and attention to detail, they are surprisingly achievable at home.

They’re the perfect gift for your special someone, a stunning addition to a romantic dinner, or even a fun baking project to share with a loved one.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines the sophistication of French patisserie with the sweetness of a heartfelt homemade gesture. The crisp shells, the creamy and fruity filling, and the gorgeous pink color all scream romance. Making macarons may take some practice, but that’s part of the fun—it feels like crafting edible art. And once you master them, you’ll always have an elegant treat ready for any special occasion.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Beautiful and festive for Valentine’s Day.
• Combines sweet almond shells with tangy raspberry filling.
• Great for gifting in decorative boxes.
• Teaches you baking precision and patience.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 40 minutes
• Resting Time (before baking): 30 minutes
• Baking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes

Servings & Nutritional Info

• Servings: About 20–22 filled macarons (40–44 shells)
• Calories (per macaron): ~95–110 kcal

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: French
• Course: Dessert / Sweet Treat

Ingredients

For the Macaron Shells:

• 1 cup (100g) almond flour
• 1 3/4 cup (200g) powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)

For the Raspberry Filling:

• 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (160g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (3–4 tbsp) raspberry jam or purée (strained for seeds, if preferred)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Make macaron batter, pipe onto a baking tray, and rest.
2. Bake shells until set and slightly glossy.
3. Prepare raspberry buttercream filling.
4. Assemble macarons and chill to mature flavors.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Macaron Batter

1. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together twice to ensure a fine texture.
2. In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy, then gradually add granulated sugar.
3. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add food coloring if desired.
4. Gently fold dry mixture into egg whites (macaronage). The batter should flow like lava and form ribbons.

Step 2: Pipe and Rest the Shells

1. Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
2. Pipe small circles (about 1.5 inches wide) onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
3. Tap sheets firmly on the counter to release air bubbles.
4. Let shells rest at room temperature for 30–40 minutes until a skin forms (they should not stick when lightly touched).

Step 3: Bake the Macaron Shells

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Bake shells for 14–16 minutes, rotating halfway through.
3. Cool completely before removing from parchment.

Step 4: Make the Raspberry Filling

1. Beat softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in raspberry jam and vanilla until fluffy.

Step 5: Assemble the Macarons

1. Pair up similar-sized shells.
2. Pipe raspberry filling onto the flat side of one shell and sandwich with another.
3. Refrigerate for at least 12–24 hours to allow flavors to mature.

How to Serve

• Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
• Arrange in heart-shaped boxes, jars, or on a tiered dessert stand.
• Pair with sparkling wine, champagne, or coffee for a romantic touch.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use aged egg whites (separate and leave covered in the fridge for 24 hours) for better stability.
• Always sift almond flour and powdered sugar for smooth shells.
• Don’t skip the resting step—it ensures the iconic macaron “feet.”
• Use gel food coloring, not liquid, to avoid thinning the batter.

Variations

• Chocolate Raspberry: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dry mix for chocolate shells.
• Rose Raspberry: Add a drop of rose water to the filling for a floral note.
• Vanilla Strawberry: Swap raspberry jam for strawberry jam.
• Heart-Shaped Macarons: Pipe batter into small heart shapes for Valentine’s Day.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Store filled macarons in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Freezing: Macaron shells (unfilled) freeze well for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before filling.

Special Equipment Needed

• Kitchen scale (essential for accuracy)
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Fine mesh sieve
• Piping bags with round tips
• Baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Day Macarons with Raspberry Filling are a delightful way to show your love. With their pretty pink shells, rich almond flavor, and tangy-sweet raspberry filling, they’re as romantic as they are delicious. While making macarons requires precision and care, the result is worth every effort—beautiful little treats that look like they belong in a Parisian bakery. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with someone special this Valentine’s Day.

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Valentine’s Day Macarons with Raspberry Filling

Author: admin Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 40 mins Cook Time 1,555 mins Rest Time 30 mins Total Time 27 hrs 5 mins

Servings: 20 Calories: 110 kcal

Description

There are few desserts as elegant and romantic as macarons. These delicate French confections are made with almond flour, whipped egg whites, and sugar, creating crisp, airy shells with a chewy interior.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Macaron Shells:

• 1 cup (100g)
• 1 ³⁄₄ cup (200g)
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• ¹⁄₄ cup (50g)
• Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)

For the Raspberry Filling:

• ¹⁄₂ cup (120g)
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups (160g)
• ¹⁄₄ cup (3–4 tbsp)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Macaron Batter : Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together twice to ensure a fine texture. In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy, then gradually add granulated sugar. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add food coloring if desired. Gently fold dry mixture into egg whites (macaronage). The batter should flow like lava and form ribbons.
2. Step 2: Pipe and Rest the Shells : Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles (about 1.5 inches wide) onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Tap sheets firmly on the counter to release air bubbles. Let shells rest at room temperature for 30–40 minutes until a skin forms (they should not stick when lightly touched).
3. Step 3: Bake the Macaron Shells : Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake shells for 14–16 minutes, rotating halfway through. Cool completely before removing from parchment.
4. Step 4: Make the Raspberry Filling : Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in raspberry jam and vanilla until fluffy.
5. Step 5: Assemble the Macarons : Pair up similar-sized shells. Pipe raspberry filling onto the flat side of one shell and sandwich with another. Refrigerate for at least 12–24 hours to allow flavors to mature.

Keywords: Valentine’s Day Macarons with Raspberry Filling