Strawberry Macarons – Best Ever Bakery-Style (Strawberry Buttercream)

These strawberry macarons are crisp on the outside, chewy in the center, and filled with strawberry buttercream. They look fancy, but you can make them at home if you follow a few key texture cues. Go slow, trust the batter, and you’ll get that smooth top and cute little “feet.”

The secret is freeze-dried strawberries for real strawberry flavor without extra liquid. If you’ve wanted to bake a bakery-style treat, these strawberry macarons are it.

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Macarons

  • Bakery-style look and texture.
  • Real strawberry flavor (no watery filling).
  • Perfect for gifting and parties.
  • Make-ahead friendly (best after a day in the fridge).
  • Customizable with different fillings and drizzles.

Ingredients for Strawberry Macarons

Ingredients and tools for strawberry macarons including almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites, sugar, and freeze-dried strawberries
Strawberry powder adds big flavor without extra moisture

Shells

  • 1 1/4 cups almond flour
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
  • 3 large egg whites (about 3 ounces), room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
  • Pink gel food coloring (optional)

Strawberry Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Helpful aside: Macarons are sensitive to humidity—resting may take longer on damp days.


How to Make Strawberry Macarons

Four-panel collage showing sifting, whipping meringue, piping shells, and filling macarons
Sift, whip, fold, pipe, rest, bake, fill—texture cues matter most
  • 1. Line baking sheets and prep a piping bag with a round tip.
  • 2. Sift almond flour, powdered sugar, and strawberry powder.
  • 3. Beat egg whites until foamy, then slowly add sugar and whip to stiff glossy peaks (add color if using).
  • 4. Fold in dry mix until batter flows like thick lava and ribbons settle in 10–15 seconds.
  • 5. Pipe 1 1/2-inch circles, tap trays, and pop bubbles.
  • 6. Rest 25–45 minutes until tops feel dry.
  • 7. Bake at 300°F for 15–18 minutes; cool completely.
  • 8. Make buttercream and sandwich shells. Chill 24 hours for best texture.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Macarons

  • Use a grease-free bowl for meringue.
  • Watch the batter texture (most important step).
  • Rest until dry so “feet” form.
  • Cool fully before filling.

Make-Ahead & Storing

  • Refrigerate up to 5 days.
  • Freeze up to 1 month; thaw overnight in fridge.

Reader Review: I finally got smooth tops and feet! The strawberry flavor was so real and not artificial.

If you make these strawberry macarons, leave a rating and comment. What filling did you choose?

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