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    Home • Blog Posts

    How to Make Macaron Hearts - Think 'V' for Valentine

    Published: Feb 5, 2013 · Modified: May 24, 2023 by Jill Colonna

    As the 14th February is on the pinkish, romantic horizon, it's hearts galore on the internet. A few macaron lovers have asked me if I could tell them how to make macaron hearts.

    giant macaron open like an oyster shell with berries

    How to Make Macaron Hearts

    Pipe out the macaron batter using a plain tip.

    Make two separate strokes in a V shape, pressing down firmly at the top and tapering away towards the bottom.

    how to make macaron hearts
    Make 2 separate strokes with your piping bag in a 'V' shape

    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 rather round at the bottom, take a cocktail stick and just make a quick line down the middle to the tip.

    The hearts will continue to spread slightly and even out nicely while you're airing them.

    So it’s so easy. You don’t even need a template.
    To pipe out macaron hearts, just think “V” for Valentine.

    how to make macaron heartsMake pink heart macarons with the rose buttercream filling (see recipe on page 45), or why not make a macaron dessert, placing a macaron heart on top?

    The hearts can be made in advance and frozen so you'll have a quick, easy romantic dessert for your Valentine. Moreover, it's gluten free!

    how to make macaron hearts

    Inspired by Pierre Hermé's famous Ispahan of rose, raspberry and lychee, I have a rosy, raspberry dessert in my first book, Mad About Macarons (recipe on page 109.) Simply mash a few raspberries into mascarpone, adding a dash of rosewater and sugar, whisk until light and fluffy.

    Serve on top of a giant rose macaron, decorate with raspberries and plonk (sorry, delicately place) your Valentine heart on top.

    mini shot glasses with dark rose jelly, pink macarons and topped with cream and raspberries

    Or top the hearts on these Ispahan trifles.

    box of pink macarons with lemon yellow filling

    Why Don't the French Make Fancy Macaron Shapes?

    And for those of you who are not into love heart-shapes, like my Frenchie Valentine, there's always the plain, traditional round macaron - just like the ones you find in the Parisian pâtisseries. Isn't it funny?

    We see all kinds of macaron shapes and macaron art out there on the internet and social media, but the Parisian patisseries stick to the good old plain and beautiful round shape.

    Although there's nothing really that plain about a macaron, is there? In my book, I prefer the round macaron - the most important is in the flavour and texture.

    close up of pink and chocolate macarons

    For more, see inspiration for Pink macarons

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    Jill Colonna standing in a French patisserie lab holding a giant whisk over an oversized mixer bowl

    Meet Jill Colonna

    Jill is both Scottish and French and author of the book and blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Here she shares over 30 years of experience of living the healthy food life with her French family in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

    More about Jill

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. le lenny face

      April 27, 2017 at 9:22 am

      These heart-shaped macarons are so lovely <3 Thank you for sharing! Gonna bookmark it for some special occasion ^^

      • Jill Colonna

        April 27, 2017 at 10:08 am

        Pleasure. It's part of many ideas I have in my first book, Mad About Macarons!

    2. Ying

      February 17, 2014 at 10:45 pm

      Hi! Have you ever tried pipping the macacons as letters? A-Z? 🙂

      • Jill

        February 18, 2014 at 1:07 am

        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.

    3. Lynda

      February 11, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      Lovely, I must try my hand at macarons add they always look so pretty! These are just lovely <3

    4. Rollerscrapper

      July 29, 2013 at 9:20 pm

      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

        July 29, 2013 at 10:05 pm

        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.

    5. Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats

      February 15, 2013 at 8:49 am

      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

        February 15, 2013 at 12:09 pm

        It's a pleasure, Jo. Enjoy!

    6. Tony

      February 09, 2013 at 11:55 am

      These are beautiful - rose is one of my favourite macarons. Perfect for the 14th, before and after!

      • Jill

        February 15, 2013 at 12:09 pm

        Aha - interesting that rose isn't just for the girls 😉 Cheers, Tony.

    7. jehanne@thecookingdoctor

      February 09, 2013 at 5:05 am

      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

        February 12, 2013 at 11:18 pm

        Jehanne, I normally stick to the rounds too. It's the taste that really matters. Happy V day with your loved ones.

    8. Lora

      February 09, 2013 at 2:48 am

      Great tips on piping hearts. When I do them only half come out properly. The color of those macs? Swoon!

      • Jill

        February 12, 2013 at 11:17 pm

        Only half? Bugger. I'm sure there's a reason why, Lora. Keep in touch and we can work this one out.

    9. Nami | Just One Cookbook

      February 07, 2013 at 10:50 pm

      Your stealing lychee story was funny... it wasn't a chocolate or candy, it was a lychee! 🙂 So cute. If I was a shop owner I'd love your curiosity! I thought of you this past weekend when one of my friend made two kinds of macarons for the first time for superbowl party. I highly recommended your book to him (yes HE made it while his wife watches him make for 4 hours). I want to make matcha and this pink heart shape macarons one day...

      • Jill

        February 12, 2013 at 11:16 pm

        Your friend sounds like the real kind of lover for Valentines, Nami. The best ones MAKE their macarons for V day! Yep, isn't that pathetic about the lychee story? Wait until I tell you about the dragon fruit...

    10. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write)

      February 07, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      Thanks for this - I have had a few people ask me how to pipe hearts and now I will just direct them here! Might even try it myself! LOL re the secret lychee guilt. I am definitely not a fan of the fruit but in with other flavours it's ok. Not my fave though...

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:47 pm

        Thanks for sharing the macaron love today, Mardi! See, I've done you a favour by not adding lychees, then?

    11. Jen

      February 07, 2013 at 4:20 am

      I have yet to try shaping my macarons - I'm still just impressed that I can get them to come out round!

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:46 pm

        Hehe, Jen. Understand you. I'm not really into the shapes (shh...) since the round ones do me just fine, too 😉

    12. Thomasina

      February 06, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      I have just watched your TV video Jill - Youtube Rose Macarons. It's detailed, ideal for making macaron hearts for Valentine's Day. Now, where's my baking bowl.

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:45 pm

        Ooooh, Thomasina. I'm embarrassed just thinking of that video. Was so nervous on LIVE TV!

    13. Parisbreakfast

      February 06, 2013 at 5:24 am

      Simply adorb!
      What can I say? You are such a Maitre at this..
      Did you know they have a meilleur macaron concours in France
      You must visit the little Mac shop in Poissy
      She has her certificate in the vitrine and surely it belongs to YOU!
      Honestly!

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:44 pm

        Yes, I saw it in the local press, thanks, Carol. I'm not a pro and don't do competitions. What for? I just make them at home for the people I love... 1, 2, 3? Awe....

    14. Liz

      February 06, 2013 at 12:52 am

      Who knew it was so simple to make hearts! Thanks for the tutorial, Jill...I may have spoken too soon about it being easy...but I'm willing to give it a shot! Such perfect macs for Valentine's Day 🙂

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:43 pm

        They are easy, Liz. Go for it!

        • kathy pilato

          February 12, 2013 at 8:20 pm

          Jill is very encouraging. Do it. Follow the steps and you will have success. Even if you get some cracks or footless buggers...they are still good to eat! Just don't grind your own almonds. Spend the money and get already ground flour. Don't overbeat them, either. Took me two tries but I have an email friend named Jill, who will encourage you all of the way!

          • Jill

            February 12, 2013 at 11:22 pm

            Yep - Kathy did it - second time around. Easy! She's a pro.

    15. Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen

      February 05, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Well I bet it's a relief to finally get that lychee confession off your chest, Jill. You are so funny! The heart-shaped macs are soooooo cute. Love the photo with the raspberries.

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:41 pm

        Funny? I was shaking just writing it, Hester!

    16. Paula

      February 05, 2013 at 5:39 pm

      These are all so pretty!

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:41 pm

        *bows* merci, Paula xo

    17. Vicki Bensinger

      February 05, 2013 at 4:27 pm

      Oh these are beautiful. I think I will try to tackle these for Valentines Day to share with my honey. Although I love the large macaron with raspberries and marscapone. I've seen that in the book but never attempted it.

      Hearts it is though. I may be pounding on the keys if I need some help. Great tutorial on the hearts, can't wait to make them. Thanks for the inspiration.

      • Jill

        February 07, 2013 at 7:40 pm

        Vicki - you must try to make that raspberry mascarpone dessert. As for the hearts, you won't need any help - you'll see!

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