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.
Lora
Great tips on piping hearts. When I do them only half come out properly. The color of those macs? Swoon!
Jill
Only half? Bugger. I'm sure there's a reason why, Lora. Keep in touch and we can work this one out.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
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
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...
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write)
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
Thanks for sharing the macaron love today, Mardi! See, I've done you a favour by not adding lychees, then?
Jen
I have yet to try shaping my macarons - I'm still just impressed that I can get them to come out round!
Jill
Hehe, Jen. Understand you. I'm not really into the shapes (shh...) since the round ones do me just fine, too 😉
Thomasina
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
Ooooh, Thomasina. I'm embarrassed just thinking of that video. Was so nervous on LIVE TV!
Parisbreakfast
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
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....
Liz
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
They are easy, Liz. Go for it!
kathy pilato
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
Yep - Kathy did it - second time around. Easy! She's a pro.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen
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
Funny? I was shaking just writing it, Hester!
Paula
These are all so pretty!
Jill
*bows* merci, Paula xo
Vicki Bensinger
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
Vicki - you must try to make that raspberry mascarpone dessert. As for the hearts, you won't need any help - you'll see!