Beach Macarons Recipe

If you adore delicate, colorful treats that transport you straight to a sun-soaked seaside afternoon, then these Beach Macarons will quickly become your new favorite dessert. Not only do they dazzle with beautifully coordinated shades inspired by ocean blues and sandy shores, but each bite delivers a luscious shortbread buttercream filling that perfectly complements the light, crisp macaron shells. Making Beach Macarons is like capturing the spirit of a beach day in a bite-sized confection, impressively elegant yet approachable for any home baker who wants to brighten up their dessert spread with a splash of creativity and fun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward but critical to crafting the perfect texture and flavor of your Beach Macarons. Each item plays an essential role, from the airy egg whites that give the shells their delicate rise to the flavorful shortbread crumbs that enrich the buttercream.

• Egg white powder: Helps stabilize the meringue and creates fuller shells, especially important when adding multiple food coloring shades.
• White granulated sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the meringue for those glossy macaron tops.
• Egg whites: The base for your meringue, they provide structure and lightness.
• Almond flour: Adds that signature nutty flavor with a smooth texture.
• Powdered sugar: Blended with almond flour to give shells a delicate sweetness and smooth surface.
• The Sugar Art powders in lilac, French blue, Hawaiian blue, coral: Powdered colors that enhance the beach-themed palette without altering batter consistency.
• Americolor gel food coloring in sky blue and wedgewood: Intense gel colors for vibrant, ocean-inspired hues.
• Unsalted butter: The creamy base for the shortbread buttercream filling.
• Shortbread crumbs: Ground cookies mixed into the buttercream and sprinkled on top for added texture and flavor.
• Powdered sugar (for buttercream): Sweetens and provides structure to the filling.
• Milk or water: Adjusts buttercream consistency for perfect piping.

How to Make Beach Macarons

Step 1: Preparing Your Macaron Shells

Start by assembling all your ingredients and prepping your workspace. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together for an ultra-fine texture, and set aside. Whisk your egg white powder and granulated sugar over a simmering water bath until frothy and sugar-free to the touch. This step ensures a smooth, glossy meringue base. Then transfer to a stand mixer and whip gradually through various speeds until stiff glossy peaks form. This meringue is the heart of your shells, so patience and technique here matter immensely for beautifully formed macarons.

Step 2: Folding and Coloring the Batter

Gently fold your sifted dry mix into the meringue using a spatula, employing the letter J technique to maintain volume without overmixing. Once dry ingredients are fully incorporated, divide the batter into bowls for color additions. Using gel or powder food coloring, mix each batch to the correct flowing consistency — slow and glossy, capable of drawing figure 8s without breaking. This part requires a bit of testing and finesse, as slight overmixing can lead to flat shells, and undermixing can leave tough tops.

Step 3: Piping and Drying

Load your colored batters into separate piping bags and arrange them carefully into a larger bag for a multicolor effect when piped. Pipe onto parchment-lined trays with gentle but firm pressure, then tap the trays to remove air bubbles, popping any that appear with a toothpick. Allow the shells to rest at room temperature until a dry skin forms on top; this step is vital for developing the iconic macaron “feet” and preventing cracking during baking.

Step 4: Baking the Macarons

Preheat your oven between 285°F and 310°F depending on your appliance, and bake one tray at a time. Rotate trays halfway through baking for even heat distribution. Baking times vary but expect roughly 15-20 minutes until the shells have risen with feet and no longer jiggle when gently nudged. Cool completely before removing from sheets to prepare for filling.

Step 5: Making the Shortbread Buttercream

Pulse shortbread cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Beat unsalted butter until creamy, then mix in the crumbs along with powdered sugar. If needed, blend in a tablespoon or two of milk or water to reach a soft, pipeable consistency. This buttery filling adds a nostalgic shortbread flavor that balances the airy sweetness of the shells perfectly.

Step 6: Assembling Your Beach Macarons

Pipe a generous swirl of shortbread buttercream onto half your shells, sprinkle a touch of shortbread crumbs on top for texture, and sandwich with a matching shell. Let the assembled macarons rest in the refrigerator overnight to meld flavors and soften the shells slightly, elevating their melt-in-your-mouth appeal.

How to Serve Beach Macarons

Garnishes

For an authentic beach vibe, sprinkle the macarons with additional shortbread crumbs or edible glitter in pearl or blue tones. Tiny edible seashell decorations or a fondant starfish add a charming seaside touch that’s sure to wow your guests.

Side Dishes

Pair these macarons with a light, refreshing beverage like a chilled lemonade or a fruity iced tea to complement their buttery sweetness. A bowl of tropical fruits offers a fresh contrast and keeps the beach theme flowing throughout your dessert presentation.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Beach Macarons on a platter lined with a scattering of crushed graham crackers or coconut flakes to mimic sandy shores. For gatherings, create a dessert “beach” scene with sand-colored sugar and a little umbrella—you’ll have everyone smiling before even taking a bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Beach Macarons stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavors marry beautifully over time, making them arguably better the next day.

Freezing

If you want to save these delicious treats for longer, freeze the macarons in a sealed container for up to one month. Be aware that the texture might soften due to the moisture in the buttercream, so allow them to thaw gently in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Macarons are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so avoid reheating. If you’d like to enhance their flavor after storage, simply remove them from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

What makes Beach Macarons different from regular macarons?

Beach Macarons are distinguished by their vibrant, beach-inspired color palette and the unique shortbread buttercream filling that adds a nostalgic, buttery twist to the classic French macaron.

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel or powder?

It’s best to stick with gel or powder food coloring as liquid varieties can alter the batter’s consistency, leading to runny shells or uneven colors.

How important is resting the shells before baking?

Extremely important. Resting helps develop a skin on the surface so your macarons bake with those iconic feet and don’t crack or stick.

Can I make the buttercream ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the shortbread buttercream a day in advance and keep it refrigerated; just bring it to room temperature and re-whip briefly before assembling.

What if my macarons crack or don’t have feet?

This usually means they need longer to rest before baking, or your oven temperature might be off. Using an oven thermometer and ensuring the surface is dry before baking can help fix this.

Final Thoughts

Making Beach Macarons is such a joyful way to bring a little coastal magic into your kitchen. Their beautiful colors, delicate shells, and decadent shortbread filling come together in a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to share. I hope you try this recipe soon and let these macarons brighten your table and your day with their sweet, beachy charm.