As Valentine's day is on the pink, romantic horizon, it's time for macaron hearts. A few readers have asked how to make heart-shaped macarons; and it's a lot easier than you think - without a template.
How to Pipe a Heart Macaron
Follow my raspberry macarons recipe (ouiiii! After years in only my books, The Mad About Macaron recipe (2010) is finally on le blog!) Add either a little pink (raspberry rose) food coloring or natural freeze-dried raspberries for a much lighter colour (ingredients and instructions are detailed in the recipe).
Pipe out the macaron batter on to a parchment-lined baking sheet using a piping bag (I like reusable and silicone as easy to clean) with a plain tip (3A/9mm/0.35-inch).
Make two separate strokes in a V shape, pressing down firmly at the top and taper away towards the bottom.
Don't forget that the hearts will spread to form the heart, so leave a good space between each.
If, after a couple of minutes, your hearts are still rather round at the bottom (personally, I don't have a problem with this), take a cocktail stick (or toothpick) and score a quick line down the middle to the tip - or neatly press and squeeze a little batter off with your finger.
The hearts will continue to spread slightly and even out nicely while you're airing them.
You don't need to buy a macaron heart template.
To pipe out macaron hearts, just think "V" for Valentine.
The macaron hearts can be made in advance and frozen so you'll have a quick, easy romantic dessert for your Valentine. Moreover, like all macarons, it's gluten free and a perfect treat for mother's day, birthdays, wedding anniversaries - even Christmas.
What Fillings Go Well in Heart Macarons?
My favourite filling for hearts would be from these raspberry macarons - with a white chocolate ganache, fresh raspberries and a touch of rose. This cherry and chocolate ganache also goes really well.
Otherwise, make this filling from salted caramel macarons, using either pink colouring or caramel colour (they don't always need to be pink!)
For a dessert, make large macaron hearts and spoon over this passion fruit filling with fresh raspberries - or a pistachio pastry cream with strawberries.
Macaron Hearts to Decorate Desserts
You don't always need to fill your macarons - serve the heart shells to garnish your desserts - see my Top 40 Valentine's Desserts for inspiration.
Here are some desserts we love to decorate with them:
- Serve on top of a light and creamy white chocolate mousse with rose and orange blossom.
- Use as a garnish for these white chocolate panna cottas with rose, served with cherry sauce.
- Top on a peach melba to complement the raspberry sauce.
- Inspired by Pierre Hermé's famous Ispahan macaron of rose, raspberry and lychee, try these mini macaron trifles and top with mini pink macaron shells.
Why Don't the French Make Fancy Macaron Shapes?
And for those of you like my Frenchman who are not into love heart-shapes, the plain, traditional round macaron are the ones you find in all Parisian pâtisseries.
We see all kinds of macaron shapes and macaron art on the internet and social media, but Parisian patisseries stick to the plain but beautiful round shape. Perhaps because they're so popular here and it takes more time to prepare them? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
However, there's nothing really that plain about a macaron, is there? The most important is in the flavour and texture. And if you think that macarons are too sweet, try my recipes with less sugar. You'll discover that they have more flavour rather than many sweeter recipes out there with more sugar in the filling and colouring.
For the most popular macaron fillings in France, you'll find them in my listing of the best macarons in Paris.
This post was originally published February 5, 2013 but is now completely updated.
le lenny face
These heart-shaped macarons are so lovely <3 Thank you for sharing! Gonna bookmark it for some special occasion ^^
Jill Colonna
Pleasure. It's part of many ideas I have in my first book, Mad About Macarons!
Ying
Hi! Have you ever tried pipping the macacons as letters? A-Z? 🙂
Jill
No. To be honest, I prefer 'plain', round macarons. It's the taste that counts and when they're round with feet and a pretty colour, that's the extra plus.
Lynda
Lovely, I must try my hand at macarons add they always look so pretty! These are just lovely <3
Rollerscrapper
These heart topped raspberry desserts look absolutely transcendent! This is one of those times I wish you could taste a picture! I shall have to try this technique now that my shaped silicone mats have been a failure
Jill
Yes, no need for these silicone macaron mats and glad you read the review. The dessert is in the book but also you can make the pink hearts and sandwich between raspberries and a Chantilly laced with Chambord... Just an idea.
Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats
These are such lovely macarons. Filled with so much love. Thanks for showing the steps to make heart shapes too. I am sure that I will be trying it out real soon. Have a great week Jill! ? Jo
Jill
It's a pleasure, Jo. Enjoy!
Tony
These are beautiful - rose is one of my favourite macarons. Perfect for the 14th, before and after!
Jill
Aha - interesting that rose isn't just for the girls 😉 Cheers, Tony.
jehanne@thecookingdoctor
thats a very useful tip, JIll for heart shaped macs, thanks! I have always stuck to the traditional round, my daughter loves macaron so the heart shaped ones will be attempted very soon.!
Jill
Jehanne, I normally stick to the rounds too. It's the taste that really matters. Happy V day with your loved ones.