Raspberry Macarons - Italian Meringue Method Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which meringue method is best for macarons? ›

The Swiss meringue macaron recipe produces a more stable meringue than the French method for two reasons. 1- The addition of heat to the mixture (when whisking the egg whites and sugar together over the double boiler) helps the proteins unfold more easily during the denaturation process.

It produces a very stable meringue which doesn't deflate, which is perfect when you are making large batches of macarons.

French macarons are softer with chewy shells and more subtly sweet taste, giving you more of that distinct almond flavour. Whereas Italian macarons are more crisp, even powdery at times and have a more pronounced sweet taste. A trained eye may even be able to tell the difference simply by looking at them.

The key to a good macaron is a good meringue, with smooth, shiny, stiff peaks. You can tell it's done when you can flip the bowl upside down and nothing comes out. The peak will be stiff yet still droop slightly. Start with aged or fresh egg whites and whip them on medium for a few minutes until bubbles form.

Macarons are notoriously finicky. Beat your egg whites too little or too much and you're left with flat macarons. Fold in your powdered sugar and almond flour a few too many times and the tops crack. Even a rainy day (something completely out of your control) can ruin them.

Ingredients. Almond flour. A must in this (and any) French macaron recipe (and a key ingredient in my Linzer cookies), I recommend a “super fine”, blanched almond flour. As the name suggests, it's very fine and yields smooth, bump-free macaron tops.

Too close to the heat source.

If the baking sheet is too close to the heat source it may cause the macarons to crack. I bake my shells in the middle of the oven. Too much food coloring will cause the macarons to crack because of the high moisture level in the shells.

Overall, both French and Italian macarons are delicious, but the choice between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference. Some people prefer the delicate, smooth texture of French macarons, while others prefer the slightly denser, chewy texture of Italian macarons.

Fats, water, or dirt may compromise the meringue and prevent it from achieving the fluffy heights you desire. Avoid plastic bowls, which can retain traces of oil. Separate your eggs carefully. Enough yolk will also prevent the egg white proteins from binding together in the way you need.

What is a Parisian macaron? ›

Traditional macarons de Nancy. Since the 19th century, a typical Parisian-style macaron is a sandwich cookie filled with a ganache, buttercream or jam. As baked, the circular macaron displays a smooth, square-edged top, a ruffled circumference—referred to as the "crown" or "foot" (or "pied")—and a flat base.

Don't let your macaron shells dry for too long - As soon as you can touch the top and it feels like it has a slight skin, you can bake them. If you let these shells dry for too long they can seal themselves to the mat and they won't have feet.

Key Differences

Overall, both French and Italian macarons are delicious, but the choice between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference. Some people prefer the delicate, smooth texture of French macarons, while others prefer the slightly denser, chewy texture of Italian macarons.

Macarons are made by folding meringue into almond flour and powdered sugar. Swiss (and Italian) Meringues are cooked while French is not. By cooking the meringue it's more stable and will better withstand the heat and humidity of the kitchen.