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    Home • Blog Posts

    Pink Macarons - Flavours and Party Themes

    Published: Sep 12, 2022 · Modified: Sep 20, 2023 by Jill Colonna

    For those of you who love all things pink. From aesthetic pink macarons for a baby shower, pink October inspiration - or just wanting to know what flavours there are? Discover a selection of classics - even savoury macs - to tickle the tastebuds.

    pink macaron cookie with ruffled feet

    Baby Pink Macarons

    It's easy to spot these delicious baby pink macarons around Paris. For a start, I have you covered in my Top 20 Macarons in Paris, to these ones by Christophe Roussel, one of the best macarons in Montmartre.

    However, it doesn't stop there!

    a pink macaron and white bag

    Pastel Rose Macarons

    Perhaps the most famous French rose macarons were created by Pierre Hermé when he worked at Ladurée with the Ispahan. It's still popular in his own boutiques - it's a combination of rose, raspberry and lychee.

    Plain rose (or Pétales de rose as Ladurée calls it) is one of our favourite homemade ones and popular around Mother's Day. It's not just women who adore this flavour. My Antoine and my Dad both adore rose macarons.

    Although rose is popular around Paris, the beauty about making your own is you can experiment with flavour combinations such as rose-matcha, rose-chocolate, rose-raspberry, rose-geranium and rose-orange blossom (see below).

    Homemade macarons means you have an empty canvas to play with. Here I topped these with a sprinkling of pink metallic food lustre.

    pastel pink macaron sandwiched cookies with rose flowers
    Rose macarons from Jill's book, Mad About Macarons

    What Do Rose Macarons Taste Like?

    Have you tasted a rose petal? They are edible and so there's nothing to worry about when eating one. Likewise, the taste of a rose macaron is - or should be - much like this. It's subtle in perfume and sweeter.

    One word of warning - not all rose macarons are subtle in flavour. Some are downright overpowering and could be disappointing (read, like biting in to perfume).  It is, of course, subjective, as not everyone loves its taste. I recommend sticking with reputable macaron boutiques.

    They are also delicious served to enhance strawberry, rhubarb and/or raspberry desserts.  Try them with a simple white chocolate mousse (with added rose and orange blossom). Also with this Moist Rhubarb, Rose and Orange Cake (just so happens to be gluten free).

    rhubarb rose cake slice with rose macaron and peonies

    Pink Macaron Love-hearts

    For macaron love-hearts and step-by-step instructions, see how to make pink love-heart macarons.

    They're great for decorating desserts too, such as this rose panna cotta with a cherry and cardamom coulis.

    For more ideas, see Top Ten Light Valentine's Desserts to accompany them.

    pink fluted dessert topped with a love heart macaron shell surrounded by dark cherry sauce and 2 cardamom pods next to a rose

    Pink Raspberry Macarons

    Raspberry is also one of the most classic macaron flavours in France and come in a deeper shade of pink.  They are usually sandwiched together with a raspberry jam-like filling.

    Another possibility is to make pink plum macarons and fill them with this spiced plum jam.

    raspberry pink macarons on the patisserie counter
    Deep pink raspberry macarons at Paris's oldest patisserie, Stohrer

    Raspberry macs are great with all kinds of raspberry desserts.

    As a French/Scottish lass, I created this Scottish Cranachan flavour (recipe in Mad About Macarons) of raspberry, honey and Whisky. Serve with Cranachan Iced Parfaits (honey and Whisky ice cream on shortbread).

    honey parfaits on shortbread with raspberries and a macaron

    Raspberry macarons with rose are another favourite.

    Enjoy this raspberry macaron filling made with fresh raspberries (add some redcurrants if you like yours tart) with a touch of rose. It's made voluptuous with a white chocolate ganache rather than any sugar added.

    deep pink shiny macarons

    Mini French Macarons

    Did you know? Macarons are not only gluten free but make a batch of shells, freeze them then defrost when ready to fill them.

    It's like money in the bank. Especially mini French macarons. They are so handy for adding French elegance to all sorts of desserts.

    mini pink macaron shells

    That way they're ready to be filled. Even better, mini shells are great for decorating desserts.

    Decorate raspberry or strawberry desserts, such as this raspberry and lemon verbena clafoutis.

    fig almond dessert pink macaron shells

    Raspberry Vegan Macarons

    I also made some pink vegan macarons, sandwiched together with raspberry jam infused with lemon verbena.  Instead of egg whites, aquafaba was used to make the French meringue.

    pink macarons on white plate and pink pansy with lemon verbena plant
    we are raspberry vegan macarons using aquafaba, not egg white

    How Do You Add Colour to Macarons?

    If you're making macarons, choose good quality powdered colouring - and it's easy to choose the shade. I personally love the food colouring powders from DecoRelief (available online or in Parisian stores on rue Montmartre).

    Raspberry? They're sold as raspberry (framboise) colour - likewise for rose. There are also more natural colourings that use beetroot/beet - just ask for these at your speciality baking stores. Now it's possible to buy small quantities (as that's all you need for homemade quantities rather than for making them on a bigger scale) but if you can only find bigger tubs, I suggest buying raspberry colouring and use less powder (on the tip of a knife, so just a pinch) for rose macarons.

    pot of powdered bright pink food colouring

    Always start with a very little amount before adding colouring to your whipped egg whites. Once it has been added you can't substract it!

    Surprise Flavour Macarons

    Then there are macarons that are coloured pink but the surprise is that the flavour plays with our minds.  We associate different shades of pink with rose, raspberry and even strawberry.

    So I was inspired on seeing pink Haribo liquorice sweets (bonbons) like Basset's Liquorice Allsorts. Remember the pink, white and black striped cubes?

    I added another of the children's favourites - Haribo's liquorice bootlace coils. Put the two together and you're in aniseed playground.

    pink and black liquorice macarons

    Using the recipe in my book, Mad About Macarons for liquorice macarons (p74), I changed the colour of the shells for some pink fun - topping it off with a bit of liquorice in the middle of the filling.

    Add a touch more ganache on top of the dry liquorice, so that it penetrates completely into both of the shells for the perfect chew.

    box of pink macarons with lemon yellow filling

    Alternatively, fill bright pink raspberry macarons with a surprise twist of creamy, lush lemon. Inspired by Jean-Paul Hévin in Paris, I love to add raspberry to a chocolate ganache. Just add a couple of tablespoons of raspberry jam to the ganache.

    Have you tried Nature Addicts' raspberry sticks? Just cut these up and add a little square to each macaron on top of the plain chocolate ganache. While the ganache is doing its magic over 24 hours before eating them, the raspberry oozes into the filling and it's wonderful!

    close up of pink and chocolate macarons

    A more subtle pink perhaps, with rose and orange blossom? These are one of my favourites - recipe in my book, Teatime in Paris.

    close-up of a macaron sandwiched cookie with its traditional ruffled feet

    Pink Drinks

    What would I suggest you drink with any of these pink macarons? An off-dry pink Champagne or a Kir Royal with either framboise (raspberry) or mûre (blackberry/bramble).

    Champagne flute filled with a Kir Royal in front of a French chateau

    Savoury Macarons in Purple

    Looking for an extra deep pink to purple colour? Then why not have fun with making these beetroot and spicy horseradish mini macarons? Taken from the savoury mac chapter in my first book, they always get some amazed reactions when served with starters, such as this beetroot risotto or a Corsican Charcuterie plate.

    For more, see menu ideas to serve with savoury macarons

    beet risotto with macaron and glass red wine

    Pink in October

    Don't forget that wearing pink ribbons and supporting pink happens in October to represent Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower is lit up in pink on 1st October, to promote awareness.

    With 60,000 new cases per year in France, breast cancer remains the number one cancer for women and the deadliest. When detected at an early stage, 9 in 10 women recover within 5 years, hence the huge importance of prevention.
    Pink Ribbon Foundation website

    So let me leave you with more pink macarons and desserts to remind all women to get themselves checked. Please visit your doctor and get a mammography.

    large pink macaron with pastry cream with a border of raspberries

    Did I mention that there's also a whole chapter in Mad About Macarons devoted to large dessert macarons (pipe out in spirals)? This one is filled with vanilla pastry cream and finished with berries.

    giant macaron open like an oyster shell with berries

    Plus, don't forget that my pâtisserie book of easy recipes, Teatime in Paris: A Walk Through Easy Pâtisserie Recipes is the perfect pink present. Just tie it with a pink ribbon.

    stack of pink recipe books
    Photo courtesy of Liz Small, Waverley Books UK

    This post was first published 17 October 2011 but is now updated with fresh images and new text

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

    Meet Jill Colonna

    Both Scottish and French, Jill is author of patisserie books and French food blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Join her 30 years' full-time experience of living the healthy food life in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

    More about Jill

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandy

      November 08, 2011 at 9:14 pm

      Oh Jill, love your macarons because I'm addicted to haribo's. What a great idea and a wonderful inspiration. Your photos are awesome too, so mouth watering!

    2. Astral

      October 31, 2011 at 1:18 pm

      I absolutely love all of your mac tweet Macarons, they are always fabulous, these are no exception, brilliant. X

    3. thelittleloaf

      October 27, 2011 at 6:59 am

      Completely agree it's mad that in this day and age we still need to raise awareness...I guess noone thinks it will happen to them until it does. This post is great, and love the way you've made a liquorice inspired macaron - yum!

    4. Karen@ladymacaron20ten

      October 24, 2011 at 11:17 pm

      I adore Bassett's sweets and this has to be the best way to experience them. Your macarons are pinkalicious perfect!

    5. Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen

      October 24, 2011 at 7:57 pm

      Jill, you are wonderful the way you manage to raise this very serious health issue in such a memorable way. Well done!

    6. galit

      October 23, 2011 at 5:44 am

      So beautiful (and yummy, with just the right hint of common sense)!

    7. Jacqueline - The Dusty Baker

      October 21, 2011 at 3:46 am

      Gorgeous Jill! Absolutely divine! And what a beautiful tribute and needed reminder during this month! Thank you!

    8. Anne@frommysweetheart

      October 21, 2011 at 12:51 am

      Jill..first of all...I am glad I am not the only one who remembers pillow talk! Your macarons are so pretty in pink! And the variety of pink licorice candy makes them so fun. A great batch of cookies for a great cause!

    9. Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite

      October 20, 2011 at 10:55 am

      Jill - these are TOTALLY up my alley, OBVIOUSLY!!! Getting my pink macs on this weekend - I hope they turn out as gorgous as yours!

    10. Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

      October 19, 2011 at 11:51 pm

      All I can say is drooling! I can't wait to try my hands at macarons. Thanks for sharing!

    11. Veronica Gantley

      October 19, 2011 at 8:38 pm

      What a wonderful tribute to such a worthy cause. Thanks for sharing.

    12. Sook

      October 19, 2011 at 8:34 pm

      Those macarons are adorable! I love pink....

    13. Liz

      October 19, 2011 at 8:29 pm

      Such a wonderful message for the month of breast cancer awareness. And of course, you made the perfect pink macarons for the occasion. I love your "sign" that these candies were the right flavoring...too funny! Hope you're having a great week, Jill!!!

    14. Brooks at Cakewalker

      October 19, 2011 at 3:46 pm

      Jill, This is a marvelous post all pretty in pink! The Doris Day picture brought back a flood of memories for me too. And you're right, she seemed to make everything dazzingly right. I so admire your macaron perfection and these gorgeous examples are an honorable nod to breast cancer awareness. A close family member has just completed post reconstructive chemo.

      Now I'm thinking of seetling down for "Pillow Talk" and a plate of macarons. 🙂

    15. thoma

      October 18, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      hmmmm...am tickled pink; so count me in too ;P

      thanks for that bit on breast cancer awareness...yes staying fit and regular exercise is so rejuvenating...

      am endlessly amazed by your creativity...

    16. Nami | Just One Cookbook

      October 18, 2011 at 7:37 am

      Jill, you did a wonderful job for a good cause! I love the rosy pink macarons - so cute! It's funny how you took Basset's liquorice allsorts as a 'fate'. Things happen for a reason!

    17. Christine

      October 18, 2011 at 4:47 am

      Enjoyed this post. Love the photos.

    18. Amalia

      October 18, 2011 at 12:58 am

      What a lovely post! A great recipe for this months awareness of breast cancer. They look wonderful! Thank you for sharing such a great post about something so close to lot of peoples hearts 🙂

    19. Janice

      October 17, 2011 at 8:33 pm

      Liquorice Allsorts are my faves, love the look of these macarons, so pretty. Love Doris too!

    20. Carolyn

      October 17, 2011 at 6:40 pm

      those are so lovely, Jill. My mother has been a licorice all sorts fan since the dawn of time, I bet she would love to have a macaron with those flavours!

    21. Elyse @The Cultural Dish

      October 17, 2011 at 5:32 pm

      These are so cute and such a fitting theme for this month! Great way to show support!

    22. Lori Lynn

      October 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

      Those are the absolute prettiest macarons I have ever seen. The shade of pink is heavenly. Love licorice too.
      LL

    23. Tina@flourtrader

      October 17, 2011 at 3:57 pm

      Enjoyed this post! A little nostalgia and an awesome way to participate in breast cancer awareness month. Your macarons are stunning as always-love the flavors mix you used. Yum!

    24. Jessica | Oh Cake

      October 17, 2011 at 1:38 pm

      Jill - what a great post. I had such a range of emotions reading this: giggling over Doris Day (I *love* the movie Pillow Talk); I am so sorry for your friend and aunt who lost their lives to this vicious disease; the licorice made me think of my grandmother who loved it - and who we all adored; and lastly - damn those look good!

      It so important to keep spreading the awareness - I wrote about my friend Liz this month, too - and I'm happy to say she's winning her battle.

      All the best,
      Jessica

    25. Michèle

      October 17, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      Very nice idea. I live those licorice candies ! 🙂

    26. Becky

      October 17, 2011 at 11:42 am

      What a wonderful way to raise awareness for Breast Cancer with your pink and licorice macs. They remind me of Good n'Plenty, if you have ever seen them. They are Pink and white coated candies, with licorice inside.

    27. Amy

      October 17, 2011 at 10:55 am

      Hi Jill! What beautiful little pink macaroons! They are perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness month! I love that you have given these licorice flavor, they sound delicious! Hope you have a wonderful week :)!

    28. Lora

      October 17, 2011 at 8:54 am

      Oh my, pink Licorice macs. What will you think of next. How absolutely brilliant! I was obsessed with Doris Day movies as a child. That picture on MacTweets also made me smile.

    29. Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

      October 17, 2011 at 8:21 am

      What a great idea - and what gorgeous macarons! I love Basset's liquorice allsorts (they are definitely the best brand) and pairing them with these seems like a wonderful match. The fact that it's for a good cause is even better.

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