French Macarons for Beginners: Foolproof Recipes with 30 Shells and 30 Fillings

I am so glad I got this book. The recipes are easy to understand and so so yummy. I had never made macarons before and this is the perfect way to learn. My favorite part is the section on navigating troubles - as it tells you exactly why certain things (like cracked shells) are happening!! So far I have made the strawberry shells with lemon curd filling, mocha shells with nutella filling, and lemon shells with lemon buttercream filling. All AMAZING!

This book is phenomenal. Our family has always loved macarons, so I thought I would get it to try as a family activity. It was a hit. The recipes are easy to follow and the cookies turned out great. I purchased a couple of the macaron silicon cooking mats with the circles (ensures consistent cookie sizing). It has become a new tradition over the holidays to make these cookies and give them as gifts. With the amount of recipes in the book, you will never need to buy another macaron cookie book.

I am not new to baking but am new to macarons. I'd never even eaten one! My son, however, loves them. Then, I was tasked w/making them for a baby shower. Fortunately, I had enough time to practice. I tried online recipes but I was having very mixed results. I happened onto this book and AM SO GLAD I DID! Every trouble shooting issue I have had she has it in that section. I have weighed everything and HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS METHOD! I've known forever that weighing is more accurate but have never happened across a recipe where it makes all the difference. The recipes are excellent. AND, every recipe is complete versus 'go to basic directions for making...' I HATE flipping pages! I do suggest a stand mixer. Also, when she says 'room temperature butter' (for fillings) she means it! I have made 3 filling recipes, did not have warm enough butter for the first and it showed. The others, I had twice as much filling as I needed, the only negative, in my opinion. She recommends silicone mats versus parchment paper and there are ones marked specifically for macarons, I highly recommend those. Also, I use disposable decorating bags- large ones (18") and just cut the corner to pipe out the cookies, also recommend this method. One other thing, my earlier attempts, when it said to 'allow top to dry to the touch' they mean a feather touch. My earlier efforts def sat too long before baking because I kind of pushed past the 'crust'. This is AN EXCELLENT BOOK! I cannot recommend it enough.

I am a true macaron beginner, and have never even used a piping bag before. I consider my skills to be intermediate. I bought this book as part of a bundle with food coloring and silicone baking mat with piping bag and tips. The book is very clear and the instructions are concise. I was able to successfully make my first batch of macarons and they were not only beautiful, but delicious. The author's instructions made this an easy, no fuss process. I love that the book contains such a variety of both classic macaron flavors and updated but easy macaron flavors. It includes a troubleshooting section, which is especially helpful. My only issue with the book is the waste of paper and printing with the instructions. The instructions for the shells are exactly the same every single time. Sometimes steps 5 and 6 are combined, sometimes not, but they give exactly the same information either way. The only variation is in step one, when the flavoring ingredient is added. But not every recipe's instructions were edited to include the flavoring ingredient. For example, the Cinnamon Shells recipe leaves out the cinnamon called for in the recipe. It should be in the first step. But a true beginner to baking would follow the steps exactly and not add the cinnamon. Once you have completed folding the dry ingredients into the meringue, it's too late to add it. Also, there is a section that talks about ingredients and if they are or aren't necessary. However, in the buttercream recipes, she uses almond milk. I don't keep almond milk on hand, but not being a true beginner, I knew that I could use cream or regular milk instead. Beginning bakers might buy a half gallon of almond milk thinking it's necessary, just to use 3 tablespoons out of it, and waste the rest. Overall, this is an excellent book, well put together with clear (although repetitive) instructions, and delicious but easy flavors. I will happily work my way through all the recipes and combinations possible.

Great book with great recipes. A lot of my macaron recipes I found online just weren’t going what I wanted then to do I kept getting hollow shells etc. now that I started using this book my shells are full and have great flavor

What a great book for starting out your macaron era! I'm so excited to try some of these recipes!

My 12-year-old daughter and husband had attempted making macarons and sadly had a lot of trouble. I purchased this book for them for Christmas and they struggle NO MORE! They loved how easy it was to follow and have become pros at making macarons! My daughter even made them solo with one of her friends. This book takes a finicky baking item and helps you make them perfectly!

I gave this book 5 stars because it really does have some great recipes and a lot of information it. My recommendation though for the buttercream recipes is to do one batch at a time. I recently made a recipe from this book and made 4 batches of a buttercream recipe. I measured every thing correctly and I felt like there was too much liquid in the mixing bowl. It was kind of just moving the butter mixture around and not forming like buttercream should. I found that I have to add more confectioners sugar to soak up the remaining liquids and to think up the butter mixture. So next time I make a buttercream from this book, I’m making one batch to see if I have the same problem.

Step-by-step instructions, lists all usual problems with making macarons alongside possible solutions. Liked how it did all that in an uplifting, encouraging tone. Good publication, mouth-drooling photographs and recipes. Can't wait to get baking!

Fast Delivery, received item with a slight teared but that's fine cos the inside is in good condition. Yet to look thru, hope I can do some Macarons soon..lol..🤗 Thank you very much.

This was my first time making macrons and following the recipe and well laid out instructions and guide at the beginning, they turned out perfectly!! So excited to try more of the recipes!

Great hard cover book with good recipes. Recommend.

Ggood for the beginners. Instructions are Easy to follow.