Crispy, chewy chocolate macarons are filled with a rich ganache.

And this recipe for chocolatemacaronsis not only impressive and delectable, it’s also incidentally gluten free.

French macarons like these are not the easiest cookies in the world to make.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons assembled and ready to serve

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(Humidity is not a friend.)

But if you have the patience, these chocolate macarons are so special and really impressive.

Everyone will be thrilled to enjoy one, especially you.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Or assemble them on trays alongside other dainty sweets and savories for a posh afternoon tea vibe.

We also love this beautifulMacaron Cake.

What’s the Difference Between a Macaroon and a Macaron?

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons preparing the template for piping the macarons

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In addition to the pronunciation and a slight tweak to the spelling,macaroonsare altogether different from macarons.

Macarons, on the other hand, are sandwich cookies made with meringue and often brightly colored.

French Macarons Aren’t French

Despite being called French macarons, these cookies are in fact Italian.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons combining the almond flour and powdered sugar

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They’re given the term “French” because some versions use a French meringue.

)powdered sugar

3/4cup(about 2 5/8 oz.

Line 2 to 3 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper (see Tip.)

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons sifting the almond flour mixture

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Silicone baking mats give these macarons the most even bake and most uniform shape.

(Egg white mixture should feel smooth when rubbed between 2 fingers.)

Whip egg whites:

Place bowl on stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons adding the cocoa powder to the almond flour mixture

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Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add vanilla mixture when last third of egg whites is nearly combined.

What Is Macaronage?

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons preparing the espresso mixture

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Macaronage is the stage of making French macarons when you work the batter until it is shiny and smooth.

Spoon a portion of batter into piping bag.

Pipe Macarons onto baking mat:

Place template under a silicone baking mat on 1 baking sheet.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons preparing egg whites for meringue in double boiler

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Keeping tip stationary, apply gentle, even pressure to bag, piping until batter reaches edges of circle.

Tap baking sheet on countertop several times to release any air bubbles, turning baking sheet 180 degrees.

Use a wooden pick to pop and fill any bubbles at or just underneath surface of piped batter.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons egg whites beaten to stiff peaks

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Repeat process with remaining batter and baking sheets.

(Its okay if some rounds are left unfilled.)

Preheat oven to 300F about 30 minutes before baking.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons folding the almond flour mixture into the egg white mixture

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If it does move, bake for 1 more minute, and check again.)

Carefully peel off macarons from baking mats, loosening using a small offset spatula, if needed.

Pour water into a medium saucepan to a depth of 1 inch.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons all of the almond flour mixture added to the meringue

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Bring to a boil over medium-high; reduce heat to a simmer over medium-low.

Place bowl with chocolate mixture over simmering water in pan.

(ensure bottom of bowl does not touch water.)

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons adding the macaron mixture to the piping bag

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Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla until well combined.

Place a piece of plastic wrap on surface of chocolate mixture in bowl to prevent a skin from forming.

Transfer chocolate mixture to a piping bag fitted with a 3/8-inch French star or round piping tip.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons piped onto parchment paper

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Fill macarons:

Pipe about 1 tablespoon Ganache onto flat sides of half of Macarons.

Cover with remaining Macarons, flat side down.

Drizzle tops with melted chocolate (if using).

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons popping any bubbles

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Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Let Macarons come back to room temperature before serving.

Why Mature Macarons?

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons letting them stand to form a skin before baking

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Once filled, macarons need to mature for a significant period of time to attain the proper texture.

We promise it will be worth the wait!

Also note that the chocolate drizzle will turn matte over time, especially when refrigerated.

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons removing the baked macarons from the parchment paper

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons combining the ingredients for the ganache in the double boiler

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons ganache after heating

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Southern Living Chocolate macarons letting the ganache cool

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Southern Living Chocolate Macarons filling the macarons with the ganache

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons placing the tops on the cookies

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox