Bright French Lemon Macarons With Tangy Citrus Buttercream

The buttercream gets fresh lemon zest and a little juice so it tastes like the fruit, not candy. I keep the shells thin so the filling is the part you notice.

The macarons feature a bright lemon flavor, complemented by a light and zesty buttercream. With a bit of precision and patience, you’ll master the art of making these iconic French sweets.

Authentic French Lemon Macarons Recipe

This French Lemon Macarons recipe yields tender cookies with a crisp outer shell and a chewy center, filled with a luscious tangy buttercream. The entire process takes about 2 hours, yielding approximately 20 macarons.

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
1 cup almond flour
3 large egg whites, aged at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow food coloring optional
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar for buttercream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest for buttercream

Instructions

Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the Macaron Batter: In a bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy, then gradually add the granulated sugar while whisking until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the dry mixture, lemon zest, vanilla, and food coloring until combined.
Pipe the Macarons: Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Tap the baking sheets lightly on the counter to release air bubbles.

Rest the Macarons: Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms on top. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
Bake the Macarons: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until firm. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before removing.
Prepare Citrus Buttercream: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add lemon juice and zest, mixing until smooth and spreadable.

Assemble the Macarons: Pair macarons with similar sizes. Spread or pipe a dollop of citrus buttercream on the flat side of one macaron and sandwich it with the other. Repeat with remaining macarons.
Serve: Let the assembled macarons rest for a few hours before serving to enhance flavors. Enjoy your bright French Lemon Macarons!