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Pistachio Macarons

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Classic pistachio macarons filled with Ladurée pistachio cream filling. Simply the best!

Pistachio Macarons in a box
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A few years ago, my husband and I went to Paris. It was a dream of mine for many years.

And I was ecstatic when we walked into the famous LadurĂ©e shop on Champs-Ellyses. Long lines didn’t bother me at all, I was in awe of their beautiful desserts and treats. One of my most favorite flavors of LadurĂ©e macarons was pistachio macarons. Pure heaven!

As soon as we came back home, I went straight to my Laduree Macarons book and searched for their pistachio macaron recipe. And I found it on page 40!!!

pistachio macarons on a serving plate

Why you’ll love this recipe:

These pistachio macs are pistachio lovers dream!!

  • You’ll get unmistakable pistachio flavor in every bite!
  • Silky smooth and delicate pistachio cream filling is a dream!
  • As always, super detailed and easy to follow directions to walk you through the entire process.
pistachio macarons in a box

Key Ingredients:

  • Almond flour – Use super fine almond flour to ensure smooth tops. Weigh the dry ingredients before sifting.
  • Pistachio flour – It’s easy to make pistachio flour at home! Place about 80g of raw, unsalted pistachios in a food processor and pulse until fine. Once the pistachios are broken into small pieces, sift through a sieve to remove fine pistachio flour. Then place the chunkier pieces back into the food processor and pulse again.
  • Powdered sugar – I highly recommend using a store-bought powdered sugar over homemade one, because commercial powdered sugar has cornstarch in it. And it helps with texture of the cookies.
  • Granulated sugar – Superfine sugar or caster sugar works best for making a stable meringue, as it dissolves quicker.
  • Cream of tartar is optional and can be omitted. However, it helps to stabilize egg whites and create sturdier meringue. It’s just an extra insurance!
  • Pistachio paste – No need to purchase expensive pistachio paste, especially since there’re so many hit-or-miss brands. Here’s my video tutorial on how to make homemade pistachio paste. But if you’re shopping for one, pay attention for ingredient list. I like to use pure pistachio paste with no added sugars.

How to make pistachio macs:

Making pistachio macaron shells is basically the same process as basic macarons.

  1. Sift the dry ingredients three times.
  2. Make French meringue with stiff peaks. (Watch my Meringue 101 video for more in-depth information.)
  3. Add dry ingredients into the meringue and fold the batter until lava-like consistency. (Watch my real-time Macaronage video for better visual cues.)
  4. Pipe the batter into 1.5-inch rounds on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, or teflon mat. (Watch my video on Proper Piping Technique.)
  5. Tap the macarons on the counter to burst the bubbles, then let the macarons dry for about 30 minutes (in humid climate, this could take up to 2 hours!)
  6. Bake the shells at 300°F for about 18 minutes. Since every oven is different, I recommend finding the sweet spot for your oven. Watch this tutorial on key points to keep in mind.
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open pistachio shells with a dollop of pistachio cream filling

How to make Laduree’s pistachio cream filling:

I have a separate post on pistachio cream filling recipe with step by step photos, lots of tips for success and troubleshooting common issues.

If you prefer to make a simple pistachio filling, you may also make my easy pistachio buttercream recipe.

Hope you’ll enjoy your very own pistachio macarons soon. And if you make this recipe, please leave a review below. Thank you!!!

Video Tutorial

YouTube video

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Pistachio Macarons

We made these pistachio macarons with homemade pistachio flour and pistachio paste. Keep in mind, pistachio cream filling is naturally softer filling, but carefully follow the directions to achieve perfectly creamy and thick filling.
4.60 from 47 votes
serves: 20 filled macarons
Prep: 1 hour
Cook: 18 minutes
Total : 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For Pistachio Macaron Shells:

  • 60 g fine almond flour Note 1
  • 40 g fine pistachio flour Note 2
  • 75 g powdered sugar Note 3
  • 70 g egg whites
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar Note 4
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 75 g caster sugar Note 5
  • 1/8 teaspoon green gel food coloring

For Laduree Pistachio Creme Filling:

  • 65 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 55 g unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 20 g pure pistachio paste Note 6
Note: I test all my recipes with both measurements for the most precise and accurate result!

Instructions

To make pistachio macaron shells:

  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or teflon sheet. (TIP: For even air circulation, flip the baking sheets upside down.)
  • To prepare the dry ingredients, sift together almond flour, pistachio flour and powdered sugar twice. (TIP: If you have up to 1 tablespoon of chunky dry ingredients left in the sifter, you don't have to replace it. Simply discard those chunky bits.)
  • To make the meringue, in a clean mixing bowl with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium low speed until foamy. (I set it to speed 2 or 4 on my KitchenAid stand mixer.)
  • When egg whites are foamy, add cream of tartar and salt and continue to whisk.
  • Then slowly add sugar one tablespoon at a time, while mixer is still running. Allow the sugar to dissolve after each addition.
  • When the meringue reaches soft peaks, add a drop of green gel food coloring. (I used Wilton Leaf Green or Americolor Green.)
  • Continue beating the egg whites on the same medium low speed until hard peaks form. Visual cues: Meringue should ball up inside the whisk, and when you lift the whisk, the meringue should hold a pointy end and have sharp ribs. (Watch my Meringue 101 video for more tips.)
  • To make the batter, sift the dry ingredients again into the meringue. And using a silicone spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the meringue until fully incorporated. Then continue to fold the batter until it’s runny enough to draw a figure eight.
  • To test the batter, take a small amount of batter and drop it into the bowl. If the small peaks dissolve into the batter on its own in about 10 seconds, the batter is ready. If not, fold couple more times and test again. Be careful not to over-fold the batter. (TIP: Making french macarons is all about the technique. This is one of the most crucial steps. Let me try to describe the folding motion as best as I can: run the spatula clockwise from the bottom, up around the sides and cut the batter in half. If you’re beginner macaron-baker, I suggest to count every fold. It takes roughly about 50 folds to reach the proper consistency. After 50 folds, start testing the batter, and continue testing after every couple folds. Watch my real-time macaronage video.)
  • To pipe macaron shells, transfer the macaron batter into a pastry bag, fitted with a round tip. (I used this Wilton 2A tip.)
  • Hold the pastry bag at straight 90° angle and pipe about 1.5-inch rounds about an inch apart on prepared baking sheets. (TIP: I made a perfect macaron template for you. Simply pipe the batter to fill inner circle.)
  • Tap the baking sheets firmly on the counter (or using your hand) a few times to get rid of any air bubbles. You can also use a toothpick to burst some large air bubbles. This step ensures smooth tops.
  • Let the macarons sit out on the counter for at least 15-30 minutes, maybe up to couple hours, depending on humidity. When you lightly touch the macarons and the batter does not stick to your finger, then it’s ready to go into the oven.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). (Note: Make sure to preheat your oven for at least 30 minutes. I don't use convection settings. I set my oven to heat from top and bottom.)
  • To bake, working one baking sheet at a time, place one tray with macarons on the middle rack. (TIP: To prevent browning, place an empty baking sheet on top rack to shield the heat.) Bake for about 15-18 minutes. It’ll take longer for larger macarons.
  • To test for doneness, touch one macaron lightly and try to move it. If it slides and wobbles, bake a minute or so longer. The cooked macarons should be firm to touch and the base shouldn’t move. (TIP: It’s always better to slightly over-bake macarons than under-bake them!)
  • Cool the macarons completely on the baking mats before peeling them off.

To make Laduree pistachio creme filling:

  • In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring it constantly until sugar is completely dissolved. Then continue to cook until the syrup reaches 250°F (120°C), about 5 minutes.
  • Simultaneously, start beating egg yolks in a mixing bowl with whisk attachment until it's doubled in size and becomes pale in color, about 2 minutes.
  • While the mixer is running on low speed, slowly pour the hot syrup into the egg yolks. Pour the syrup into the side of the bowl, instead of the whisk, so that it doesn't splatter.
  • Increase the speed to medium high, and beat the mixture until it cools down to 104°F (40°C). The mixture will become smooth and white.
  • Stir in butter, pistachio paste and food coloring, if desired. Continue to beat the cream until nice and smooth. Then transfer the buttercream into a pastry bag with round tip.
  • To assemble macarons, pair the macaron shells by size and arrange them on a wire rack.  Line them up so that bottom shells are upside down.
  • Pipe a dollop of filling on bottom shells. Place the top shell over the filling and press lightly so the filling spreads till the edges.
  • Store the filled macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 24 hours to mature, which allows the filling to soften and flavor the shells.
  • To serve, bring the macarons out about 30 minutes prior to serving.

Tips & Notes:

Note 1: It’s best to use super fine almond flour to ensure smooth tops. Weigh the ingredients before sifting.
Note 2: I use homemade pistachio flour. To make pistachio flour, place about 80g of pistachios in a food processor and pulse until fine. Once the pistachios are broken into small pieces, sift through a sieve to remove fine pistachio flour. Then place the chunkier pieces back into the food processor and pulse again.
Note 3: I don’t recommend making your own powdered sugar, because commercial powdered sugar has cornstarch in it. And it helps with texture of the cookies.
Note 4: It’s important to use fine granulated sugar for meringue, as it dissolves quicker. You can also use caster sugar, aka baker’s sugar.
Note 5: Cream of tartar is optional and can be omitted. However, it helps to stabilize egg whites and create sturdier meringue. It’s just an extra insurance!
Note 6: Here’s full tutorial on how to make homemade pistachio paste.
GOT MACARON TROUBLE? Check out my macaron troubleshooting guide.
STORING INSTRUCTIONS:
Store the filled macarons in airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the filled macarons after maturing them in the fridge for 24 hours. The filled macarons can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving: 1macaron Calories: 103kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 12g (4%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 6g (9%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 25mg (8%) Sodium: 7mg Potassium: 45mg (1%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 11g (12%) Vitamin A: 102IU (2%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 13mg (1%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Author: Shinee
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:French
Did you make this?Show me your creation! Tag me @shineshka and hashtag it #sweetandsavorybyshinee!

This recipe was originally published on March 6th, 2015.

You may also find this post helpful:

French Macaron 101

Macaron 101 Square

8 Tools You Need to Make Perfect Macarons

8 Tools You Need to Make Perfect Macarons

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  3. Kate says

    5 stars
    This recipe worked excellently! Your tutorials are very informative, too! I had trouble with other recipes, but this one worked great. Your excellent tutorials contributed to my success in making these delicious pistachio macarons. Everyone loved the flavor and texture. (I added a confit surrounded by the buttercream to give a contrast to the sweet and rich flavors of the shell and buttercream.)
    Thank you for helping me in this baking adventure!

    Reply

  4. Lesley says

    Question: When using pistachio flour, I always end up with tiny bubbles all over, as if there’s too much moisture. It’s odd because any other macaron I try does fine. The only variable is the pistachio flour. I buy my pistachio flour rather than make it, maybe that’s the problem? I want to try your recipe, as the ratio is a little different I think on the almond/pistachio flour. I’m interested in comments and suggestions lol. Anyone else have this happen?

    Reply

  6. Sara says

    Hi Shinee! What do you do with the second batch while the first batch is baking to make sure they don’t get too dry of a skin? Do you keep the batter in the fridge and wait to pipe out the second batch? Thanks!

    Reply

  8. Marieya says

    Hi Shinee,
    Thank you for your recipe. I’ve got a question —
    how come in your instruction with the meringue, you mentioned salt aside from the cream of tartar, but you don’t have salt in the list of ingredients?
    Also can you at least give me an approx of how many egg whites ion 70g? Again thank you.

    Reply

  11. fab says

    4 stars
    Overall the recipe itself is really good. I followed it exactly, even bought a kitchen scale. But, my macarons came out cracked and the french buttercream was a disaster. Mine was too runny and tasted like egg.

    Reply

  14. Grace says

    Hi Shinee, I made these pistachio macarons and they turned out wonderful. I’ve never tried making french buttercream before and the process looked so intimidating. But your description that the buttercream is oh-so-delicious that I decided to make it regardless (thankfully no accident and I got my buttercream). My family tried the macarons and agreed the buttercream is definitely the highlight. Thanks for sharing the recipe (I realized the measurements also factored in my clumsiness lolx.)
    Cheers, from Singapore.

    Reply

    • Shinee says

      Yay, I’m SO happy you tried this recipe!! It’s absolutely one of my top favorites!!! Kudos to you for overcoming your fear and giving it a try!! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback, Grace!!

      Reply

  15. T says

    Quick question- in this recipe for the crème filling you utilize 55g of butter. In the separate link for the crème filling (which this recipe points to) it utilizes the exact same measures for everything except the butter- which is 155g. Was this intentional? Which would you recommend for the macarons?

    Reply

    • Shinee says

      Hi, there! Thank you for your question, and I apologize for confusion. In the separate filling, the gram measurement was typed incorrectly (though oz was correct), which should have been 4oz = 55g. Again, sorry for confusion and thank you for asking! I’ve corrected the mistake.

      Reply

  16. Xanthe says

    Hey there, I was wondering if you possibly had this recipe in US measurements? I love LadurĂ©e desserts and have been looking forward to making this as I saved it a while ago, however I’ve found it a bit difficult to get the exact calculations simply by looking it up. If you have this recipe with US measurements, that would be amazing, thank you!

    Reply

    • Shinee says

      Hi, Xanthe. I don’t recommend converting the measurements to volume. Macarons require precise amounts for the best possible chance of success. And you can accurately measure ingredients by volume.

      Reply