Macarons are airy, delicate, and delicious. And you can prepare them in a variety of colors and flavors. But what if you need to make some — or buy some — ahead of time? Can you freeze macarons until you’re ready to serve them? Here’s what you need to know.
The magnificent macaron dates back to the Renaissance, and some say this delicious French pastry is a confectionary masterpiece. Much of that has to do with its texture — delicately crunchy on the outside with a delightfully soft and creamy interior.
So how do you maintain that texture if you need to store them until a later date? Can you freeze macarons?
The good news is that yes, you can freeze macarons. In fact, if done correctly, they should keep for up to 3 months.
Here are some tips for properly freezing macarons, and the best way to thaw them so you can enjoy these tasty meringue treats!
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How to freeze macarons
If you’re making homemade macarons, a great option is to freeze the outer shells before filling them. Then make the filling just prior to serving so it doesn’t need to thaw out. Here’s how to freeze just the macaron shells:
Step-by-step: How to freeze unfilled macaron shells
1. After you bake the shells, let them cool completely.
2. Tear off a piece of parchment paper. The more shells you have, the more paper you will need.
3. Ready an airtight container.
4. Carefully place the cooled unfilled macarons into the container in a single layer. Once you have one layer complete, place a sheet of parchment paper over it and start on your next layer until you’re done.
5. Close the container and place it in the freezer.
Step-by-step: How to freeze filled macarons
If you plan to freeze fully assembles macarons, the kind of filling you use can make a huge difference.
The best fillings are solid ones like chocolate ganache or buttercream, as they will freeze best.
Softer ones like fruit jams, whipped cream, or lemon curd can seep into the shells and make them soggy before they’ve had a chance to fully freeze. That means they could also be soggy when they thaw out.
If you plan to use these fillings, it’s best to freeze only the shells, then assemble them with the freshly made filling shortly before you serve them.
Here’s how to freeze your filled macarons:
1. Once you’ve added your favorite fillings to your macarons, get a few sheets of parchment or wax paper and an airtight plastic container.
2. You have a couple of different ways to lay them out. Option 1: Place the filled macarons in a flat layer next to each other. Option 2: Lay the macarons upright in rows.
3. Once your first layer is complete, place a sheet of parchment paper over it and start on your next layer until finished.
4. Place the container in the freezer.
Note: It’s a good idea to store the macarons in a solid, freezer-safe container, as they could be damaged in something soft like a freezer bag.
How to thaw macarons
Once you’re ready to serve your macarons, it’s simple to thaw them. The best way is to transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator for a few hours.
Keep them in the same airtight container when you transfer them to help prevent moisture or condensation from gathering on the macarons and making them soggy.
Once thawed out, remove them from the fridge. Let them come to room temperature on a kitchen counter or table, out of direct sunlight.
If you serve them directly from the fridge, the cold macarons may still be somewhat hard and difficult to eat. A great thing about macarons is their crunchy-soft texture, so letting them rest a little after being taken out of the fridge will help you achieve that.
If you only froze the shells, once they’re thawed you can complete them with your macaron fillings of choice.
How long can I store macarons in the freezer?
If they’re stored properly in an airtight container, unfilled macaron shells will last well for up to 3 months in the freezer, since they aren’t exposed to the moisture than can be found in fillings.
Filled, whole macarons should keep well for up to 1 month.
Longer than that, and they could begin to lose some of their texture and take on odors and flavors of other items in the freezer. They could also get freezer burn. This is especially true if their container isn’t fully sealed.
Can I freeze macarons I bought from the store?
Yes, you can freeze store-bought macarons just like you do with homemade ones. The most important thing to do is make sure they’re in the right kind of container.
Typically, they’ll come in paper-based macaron boxes. So you’ll want to transfer the fresh macarons to an airtight storage container. Then freeze them as noted above.
However, unless you really need to buy them far in advance, the best option is to get store-bought macarons shortly before you plan to eat them. That way your delicious macarons will be as fresh as possible and will maintain most of their original texture.
If there are only a few days between when you buy them and plan to serve them, it’s a good idea to refrigerate the macarons instead of freezing them. Again, place them in an airtight container, where they should stay their best for 2-3 days.
At the most, they may keep for up to a week in the fridge. Keeping macarons any longer than that will likely dry them out.
FAQ
While both are soft cookies, macarons usually are made with finely ground almonds and contain a ganache or jam filling. Macaroons are typically made with flaked coconut and are not filled.
More food storage answers
Wondering if you can freeze some of your other favorite foods? Check out the posts below.
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