Macarons are delicious with a cup of tea or coffee or even as a dessert. There are so many fillings you can use, including different flavored buttercreams, ganache, and whipped cream.
However, they take some time to make, so could you make them in bulk in advance and then freeze them? The answer is yes, and you can either freeze the shells or fully prepare them with fillings.
However, there are some fillings that don’t freeze well, such as whipped cream, so it is better that you add this after you have defrosted the macaron shells. In this article, we will tell you how to freeze and how to defrost macarons.
How To Freeze Macaron Shells
You will need to be gentle and careful when handling macaron shells as they are fragile and could get crushed.
1. Make and bake your macarons.
2. Cool down the macarons.
Remove them from the hot baking tray and transfer them onto a cold tray. Because they are small, they will cool down within two hours which is the time after which bacteria can start to form.
3. Stack the macarons in an airtight container.
It is better to use an airtight container than a freezer bag because it would be easy to crush the macarons if you put them in a bag. Stack them on top of each other but if you plan not to use them all in one go, it is a good idea to put a piece of parchment paper in between each shell. They then won’t stick together, and you can take out just as many as you need. Put a label on the container with the date the macarons were frozen and the contents.
4. Freeze.
How To Freeze Macarons With Fillings
You will need to check that your fillings will freeze otherwise you will end up with a soggy mess when the macarons are defrosted.
1. Make your macaron shells.
2. Cool down the macaron shells.
3. Fill the macaron shells.
Buttercream, ganache, and coconut-based fillings freeze well. Once you have filled your macaron shells, cover the tray in cling film to preserve the macarons and put them in the fridge for 24 hours.
4. Wrap the macarons.
Take the cling film off the tray and wrap each macaron in more cling film. This will mean that you can take out just as many as you need. Put them in an airtight container, making sure that the macarons aren’t touching. Because they are filled, it’s better not to stack them on top of each other. Again, use a container, not a freezer bag, as they could get crushed in a bag. Put a label on the container with the date frozen and the contents.
5. Freeze.
Tips For Freezing Macarons
- Use an airtight container, not a freezer bag as macarons are delicate and could get crushed.
- Shells freeze for longer than filled macarons.
- Check that the fillings can be frozen and how long they can be frozen for. If in doubt, just freeze the shells.
For How Long Can You Freeze Macarons For?
You can freeze macaron shells for between two and three months, but they taste better if you use them within four to five weeks. After this time there is a chance that freezer burn will occur. While the macarons will still be safe to eat, they will lose taste, texture, and color and they certainly won’t be enjoyable.
If you freeze macarons with fillings, you can keep them in the freezer for about a month. Buttercream can be frozen for up to three months, so you could keep macarons filled with buttercream for longer. However, the condition of the shells might deteriorate in this time. Ganache is the same. It can be frozen for up to three months. Whipped cream can be frozen if it is frozen separately. I can split and you may have to give it a quick whisk so that it will regain its original texture. However, you can’t do this if you have filled your macarons with whipped cream, so if that’s the filling you want, add it after the shells have defrosted.
How Do You Defrost Macarons?
To defrost macarons, take as many as you need out of the freezer and put them in a container. Place this in the fridge and leave overnight. It is the same method for both shells and filled macarons.
Can You Refreeze Macaroons?
We recommend that you don’t refreeze macarons. The texture will change and if they have a filling, it can go mushy. The best thing to do is prepare the macarons in the ways we have described so that you can remove just as many macarons as you need for that day.
Is It a Good Idea to Freeze Macarons?
Yes, it is a good idea to freeze macarons as long as you are careful with them. They are delicate and can fall apart easily. They are a great thing to make in advance if you are having a dinner party and want to impress. Making them in advance gives you the opportunity to concentrate on the other courses for the dinner party. You won’t be run ragged trying to produce a batch of macarons in addition to appetizers and a main course. If you really want to have no work to do for your dessert on the day, freeze the macarons with fillings. Just remember to choose fillings that freeze well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing macarons but in case you are still curious, we have answered a few questions here.
What other macaron fillings freeze well?
You can fill your macarons with jam, jelly, or curd, be it lemon, orange, or lime. All freeze well. Really, the only filling that doesn’t freeze well in a macaron is whipped cream.
How do you color macaron shells?
You can use gel or powdered colors. Add gel colors while you are whisking the egg whites (see also How To Freeze Egg Whites). With powdered colors, whisk up the egg whites and sugar, and then add a third of the almond flour and mix. When you add the remaining flour, add the powdered color. You can match the filling to the color of the macaron. For example, if you have a blue macaron, add blueberry buttercream. For a red macaron, add raspberry ganache. For a yellow macaron, use lemon curd. A light green macaron would suit a white chocolate buttercream.
Can you freeze Laduree macarons?
Laduree is a French high-class manufacturer and retailer of pastries and candy. They might be shocked to hear that you want to freeze their macarons but there is nothing stopping you. They freeze just as well as macarons from other stores or ones you have made at home.
Can you freeze macaron batter?
Batters do generally freeze well. However, ones with whipped eggs don’t freeze as well due to the change in texture. To make macarons, you need to whip up egg whites, and, unfortunately, when you come to freeze the batter, you will lose a lot of the air produced. This means that when you come to defrost the macarons, they will be flat. The best thing to do is to make and bake the macarons before freezing. In that way, you will have lovely light and tasty macarons that your guests will enjoy and compliment you on.
