Macarons are a French meringue-based confection, a delicacy across the world. They are delicate and should be treated with utmost care to not lose their original shape and taste.
Making macarons is notoriously difficult and takes copious amounts of time, so it might feel like a good idea to store them in the freezer for an upcoming event. This article is all about freezing macarons and the important tips you should remember for a perfect freeze.
Yes, it is possible to freeze macarons. After you’ve baked them, let them cool, then place them on a baking sheet. Wrap the sheet with macarons up in a plastic wrap, then freeze.
Is it better to freeze macarons filled or unfilled?
Storing unfilled shells in the freezer is better than storing filled macarons. Filled macarons are not as durable as unfilled ones and are more prone to breakage in the freezer.
The filling in the macarons may cause the macaron shells to go soft, making them less durable. However, it is possible to freeze filled macarons, too, but they will require extra care. It is better to store unfilled macaron shells for this very reason.
How do you freeze macarons?
It is totally up to your liking whether you want to freeze your macarons filled or unfilled. The steps mentioned below will guide you on how to execute both methods perfectly.
How to freeze unfilled macarons?
Macaron shells are delicate. You need to be very careful and ensure that they don’t get crushed in the freezer. Follow these steps to freeze them easily:
STEP 1: Allow the macarons to cool down before freezing
Let the macarons cool down completely before you freeze them.
STEP 2: Grab an airtight container
Use an airtight container with a tight lid to store your macaron shells. Though you can also use freezer-safe zip lock bags, it is a risky move as they can get damaged in the freezer. A sturdy airtight container will keep the macarons safe and prevent them from losing their shape.
STEP 3: Stack the macarons in a container
Stack the cooled macaron shells in your airtight container. If you are worried about the macarons sticking together, then you can place parchment paper in between the macarons.
STEP 4: Label and store
Seal the container tightly and label it with the storage date so that you can use the macarons before they go bad. Store them in the freezer.
How to freeze macarons with filling?
If you wish to freeze fully prepared macarons with the filling, then that’s possible too. Some fillings will freeze better than others, so check if your chosen filling will freeze or not. Here’s how to freeze-filled macarons:
STEP 1: Allow the macarons to cool
Once you have baked your macarons, let them stand on a baking tray and cool down to room temperature.
STEP 2: Fill the macarons. wrap and refrigerate
Fill in between the macarons with your desired filling (most coconut and cream-based fillings freeze well). Wrap the macarons in plastic wrap and allow them to sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours so that they can set.
STEP 3: Remove from fridge and re-wrap
Remove the set macarons from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Then, re-wrap the macarons with plastic wrap and transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container.
Make sure to wrap the macarons individually if you are freezing more than one. You can freeze them together in a box as long as they are not touching. It is crucial that you store them in a box to prevent them from breaking.
STEP 4: Label and freeze
Label your container with the date of storage and freeze.
Important tips for freezing macarons
Now that you know how to freeze your macarons to perfection, here are a few more tips to take the process to a whole new level!
1. Decorate after freezing
We recommend decorating your macarons after freezing them. Though most toppings can freeze, they can still get damaged in the freezer, so the better option would be to decorate the macarons after they have been fully thawed.
2. Freeze the shells only
Freezing the shells only is better if you have fillings (such as jelly) that won’t freeze well in the freezer or if you want to freeze macarons to be used for decorating a cake later on.
3. Just freeze
If you wish to preserve your macarons for longer than a month, then the preferred method would be to freeze just the shells. They will keep well in the freezer for much longer as compared to filled macarons.
Are frozen macarons good?
Macarons can be stored well in the freezer. Frozen macarons will taste just as good as fresh ones, given that you freeze them properly.
How long can I store macarons?
Macarons will stay well on the countertop for up to 24 hours as they do not have a long shelf life. Store them in an airtight container, so they don’t dry out. Macarons can keep well for up to 7 weeks in the fridge and up to a month in the freezer.
How long can you freeze filled macarons?
Given that you freeze them properly, filled macarons can keep well in the freezer for 1 month. They can keep well for up to 3 months, too, but the longevity depends on the freezing method and the ingredients.
How do you defrost frozen macarons?
It is relatively easy to defrost frozen macarons. Just transfer the container of frozen macarons to the refrigerator and let the macarons thaw overnight or for a couple of hours before serving. This method goes for both filled and unfilled macarons.
Can you refreeze thawed macarons?
It is not recommended to refreeze macarons once they have been thawed. Once food has been thawed, it is not safe to refreeze it as it gets more susceptible to bacterial growth. Apart from that, refreezing macarons will make them deteriorate in taste and texture drastically.
Do macarons go bad?
Macarons can go bad if not kept properly as they have a very short shelf life.
All foods go bad, even frozen Oreos that are manufactured with preservatives.
Related FAQs
Can you freeze macaron batter?
It is not recommended to freeze macaron batter as it can easily dry out. All the air will dry out from the batter, and when you bake it, the macarons will end up being cracked or flat.
Can you rest macarons in the fridge?
If you don’t wish to utilize your macarons immediately, the best place to store them is in the fridge, and they will keep well for up to three days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
Can I leave macarons out overnight?
It is not preferable to leave your macarons out overnight as they do not have a long shelf life and will go bad.
How long can macaron batter sit before piping?
A folded and completely prepared ready-to-use macaron batter can sit on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour. The two issues that might occur, though, are possible deflation or drying out of the batter.
Can I store macaron batter?
Macaron batter is too difficult to store. All the air that you worked so hard to incorporate in the batter will dry out, resulting in flat, cracked macarons when you bake them.
Should macarons be chewy?
Macarons are supposed to be slightly chewy in texture. If your macarons are incredibly chewy, then this indicates a possible issue in the baking process.
What is the difference between macaroons and macarons?
The difference between macaroons and macarons is their main ingredient. The main ingredient of macarons is almond meal, while in macaroons, the main ingredient is shredded coconut. Coconut macaroons are made from shredded coconut and held together by egg whites and granulated sugar.
Final thoughts on freezing macarons!
Macarons can be finicky to work with as they are super delicate. They can easily break, and having a short shelf life, they can also go bad soon. To keep them fresh, you can easily freeze macarons, but make sure to do it with utmost care to avoid losing their taste and texture. We hope you can freeze your macarons to perfection after reading our article!
To further enhance your knowledge, read our article on freezing boiled peanuts!