Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons

I'm so excited to share these heart shaped valentine macarons with you because they might be the prettiest thing I've ever pulled out of my oven. Last Valentine's Day, I wanted to make something special for Donald and the kids, and store bought chocolates just weren't going to cut it. So I tried making these little heart shaped beauties at home, and honestly? They turned out way better than I expected.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons Recipe
• Ingredients For Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons
• How To Make Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons Step By Step
• Storage And Reheating Tips
• Fun Variations For Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons
• Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons
• Recipes You May Like
• Time To Make These Sweet Little Hearts
• Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons

These delicate, chewy little cookies are filled with a creamy buttercream that practically melts on your tongue. The sweet almond flavor paired with that soft, pillowy texture makes every single bite feel like a tiny celebration. Sarah called them "fancy cookies" and asked if we could make them for every holiday. Alex, who is not easily impressed at 12, actually said they were "pretty good," which in his language means he loved them.

Whether you're planning a cozy Valentine's dinner, putting together a sweet gift for someone you love, or just want a fun weekend baking project, these macarons are the way to go. Plus, the heart shape adds that extra romantic touch that makes them feel really special. If you're in the mood for more Valentine's treats, you should also check out my Valentine's Oreo Truffles because they pair beautifully with these macarons on a dessert platter.

Why You Will Love This Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons Recipe

Here's the thing about these macarons. They look like they came from a fancy bakery, but they're actually doable at home. Here's why I think you'll love them:

• Simple ingredients you probably already have. Almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites, butter. Nothing exotic or hard to find.
• Ready in about 90 minutes from start to finish, including the resting and baking time.
• The almond flavor is soft and sweet without being too much. It pairs so well with almost any filling you can dream up.
• They're gorgeous. The heart shape makes them a real showstopper on any dessert table.
• Kids love making them too. Sarah had the best time helping me pipe the little hearts onto the baking sheet.
• You can customize the filling with vanilla buttercream, chocolate ganache, raspberry jam, or whatever sounds good to you.

Ingredients For Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons

For The Macaron Shells

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup almond flour (finely ground works best)
• 2 large egg whites at room temperature
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red or pink food coloring (gel works better than liquid)

For The Buttercream Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Pinch of salt
• Red food coloring (optional)

A quick note on almond flour: make sure it's the finely ground kind, not almond meal. I learned this the hard way my first time making macarons. The coarser stuff gives you a bumpy, grainy shell and nobody wants that.

How To Make Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons Step By Step

Prepare Your Dry Ingredients

Start by sifting the powdered sugar and almond flour together into a large bowl. I know sifting feels like an extra step you want to skip, but please don't. It makes such a big difference in getting those smooth, pretty shells. Set this mixture aside while you work on the egg whites.

Whip The Egg Whites

In a super clean mixing bowl (any grease will mess things up), whisk the egg whites on low speed. Once they start getting frothy, slowly add the granulated sugar a little bit at a time.

Gradually turn the speed up to medium high and keep whisking until you get stiff, glossy peaks. This usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. You'll know they're ready when you lift the whisk and the peaks stand straight up without flopping over.

Fold And Color The Batter

Now gently fold the sifted dry mixture into the whipped egg whites using a spatula. This is where it gets a little tricky so take your time. You want to fold, not stir.

Add your food coloring at this stage. I like using gel food coloring because it gives a stronger color without adding extra liquid. Keep folding until the batter flows off your spatula like thick lava. It should be smooth and shiny, not lumpy or stiff.

Pipe The Heart Shapes

This is the fun part! Transfer your batter to a piping bag with a small round tip. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pipe small heart shapes. Here's my trick: pipe two small dots side by side, then drag a little tail down from the center to form the point of the heart.

Don't worry if your first few look a little wonky. Mine definitely did. You'll get the hang of it fast. Once all your hearts are piped, tap the baking sheet firmly on the counter a few times to pop any air bubbles.

Let Them Rest And Bake

This next part requires patience. Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until they form a dry skin on top. You should be able to lightly touch one without any batter sticking to your finger.

Bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 to 18 minutes. The shells should be set and have those pretty little ruffled feet at the bottom. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before you try to peel them off.

Make The Buttercream Filling

While the shells cool, beat the softened butter until it's light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar gradually so it doesn't fly everywhere (trust me, I've dusted my entire kitchen more than once). Mix in the vanilla and salt, then add the heavy cream until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add a drop of food coloring if you want the filling to match the shells.

Assemble Your Macarons

Match up shells that are similar in size. Pipe or spread a small amount of buttercream onto the flat side of one shell, then gently press another shell on top. Pop the finished macarons in the fridge for at least 24 hours before serving. I know waiting is hard, but this resting time lets the filling soften the shells just a tiny bit and everything comes together beautifully.

Storage And Reheating Tips

Store your finished heart shaped valentine macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They actually taste even better after a day or two because the flavors have time to blend together.

You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer safe container. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then bring to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

I wouldn't recommend microwaving them since it changes the texture completely.

Fun Variations For Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons

Have you ever thought about switching up the filling? That's where these get really fun:

• Chocolate ganache filling: Melt equal parts chocolate chips and heavy cream together. Let it cool before filling. Donald's personal pick every time.
• Raspberry jam filling: A thin layer of seedless raspberry jam adds a fruity twist that's just beautiful with the almond shells.
• Cream cheese filling: Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar for a tangier, richer filling.
• Nutella filling: I mean, do I even need to explain this one? Alex would eat an entire batch.

You can also play around with the shell colors. Lavender, blush pink, classic red, or even a soft white all look stunning for Valentine's Day. Try adding a tiny sprinkle of edible glitter on top before baking for some extra sparkle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons

How Do You Shape Macarons Into Hearts Without Losing Their Structure?

The trick is all in the piping. Use a round tip and pipe two small dots side by side, then drag down to a point. Don't press too hard or the batter spreads too much. I practiced on the back of my baking sheet first before committing to the parchment paper, and that really helped me get the shape right.

Why Did My Heart Shaped Macarons Crack Or Spread While Baking?

Cracking usually happens when the macarons didn't rest long enough before baking. That dry skin on top is what holds everything together in the oven. If they spread, your batter might have been over mixed. It's a fine line between under and over folding, but once you hit that lava like consistency, stop right there.

Can Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons Be Made Ahead Of Time And Stored?

Yes! That's one of the best things about these. You can make them up to 3 days before you need them and keep them in the fridge. They actually improve with time. I always make mine at least a day before any event or holiday because the texture gets even better overnight.

What Are The Best Fillings For Heart Shaped Valentine Macarons?

Vanilla buttercream is the classic choice and it works perfectly. But I also love chocolate ganache, raspberry jam, and cream cheese filling. For Valentine's Day specifically, I've found that a rose water buttercream is really special. Just add a tiny drop of rose water to the basic buttercream recipe and it gives the most lovely, subtle floral flavor.

Recipes You May Like

• Valentine's Oreo Truffles are another adorable Valentine's treat that's fun to make with kids.
• Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies bring together chocolate and fruit in the best possible way.
• Creamy Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls are always a hit at holiday gatherings and gift giving.

Time To Make These Sweet Little Hearts

So there you have it! These heart shaped valentine macarons really are worth the effort, and once you get the hang of the piping, they come together faster than you'd think. I love that they look so impressive but are actually made with simple, real ingredients right in your own kitchen.

The first time I brought these to a school bake sale, another mom asked me which bakery I ordered them from. That might have been one of my proudest baking moments.

Give them a try this Valentine's Day and let me know how they turn out for you. I'd love to hear which filling you chose! And don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it when you need it.

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