The complicated techniques for producing macarons are gradually being made public and are easier to understand. Choosing high-quality almond flour is one of them, as you may be aware. Your cookies could actually be made or broken by it! So, which almond flours work best for macarons? We advise selecting a product that uses blanched almonds. To make preparation much simpler, it also helps to select a super-fine or pre-sifted flour. In addition, there are certain specific features you can compare amongst items to see if they match your demands.
Using the best almond flour currently on the market, we’ll go in-depth on how to make the ideal macarons today. We’ll examine a buyers manual to assist you in selecting a product from our list or any other you find in stores. Additionally, we looked at some of the most well-liked products available right now!
What Are Macarons?
A macaron, often known as a French macaron, is a delightful cookie sandwich filled with thick and creamy buttercream. Almond flour and sugar are used to make macarons. Typically, the sugar is added while making the meringue for the macarons. These, unlike most cookies, are pretty fancy. And many bakers and pastry chefs have very particular expectations for how this cookie should look.
First and foremost, a macaron must have a cookie-to-filling ratio of 2:1. With each bite, the filler provides the greatest taste. The cookie, on the other hand, naturally contributes a light, airy, and slightly chewy texture. The macaron cookie base (also known as shells) should have a smooth, flat top. They also have a somewhat domed form that adds height to the shells.
These are not, however, tall cookies on their own. They are normally approximately half an inch tall (at the most). Finally, the edge is a hated characteristic that many people struggle to perfect. This margin (also known as the “feet”) should be ruffled. It should have large gaps and spill out beneath the dome. Overall, a macaron is really attractive. Its shape should be exactly aligned.
Why Are Macarons So Popular?
There are many factors that contribute to the enormous popularity and high cost of these French biscuits. They are first and foremost delicious! Although the cookie itself doesn’t have a lot of flavor, the almond flour it’s baked with gives it a sweet and nutty flavor. The majority of the flavor in the cookies comes from the filling. You can essentially choose whatever filler taste you want! That is another factor in the popularity of macarons. They are quite simple to match with particular color schemes and flavor combinations!
Because they are so challenging to perfect, macarons are also quite expensive. You need a tried-and-true recipe, excellent preparation methods, and premium ingredients. And a significant contributor to that is almond flour, which is precisely why we are talking about some alternatives today!
Macarons Vs Macaroons
Just to be clear, macarons and macaroons are not the same thing. The key ingredients needed to produce them and their overall shape are the most noticeable variances. We understand that the names are somewhat deceptive! On a pretty plate, a stack of coconut macaroons Coconut flour and/or shredded coconut are used to make macarons. French macarons, on the other hand, are created using almond flour.
Then there are macaroons, which are more like cookie dollops. They lack a filling and are not stacked to form a “cookie sandwich.” Macaroons are more easier to produce and often less expensive. In comparison to macarons, the recipes are simpler and less delicate. Is this making them better? Not at all! You like what you like when it comes to the flavor of these two cookies. Macaron making is obviously more difficult, and it is up to you to take on that challenge.
Choosing The Best Almond Flour For Macarons
Fortunately, there aren’t a ton of different brands or types of almond flour to select from, but not all flours are created equal. There are primarily two varieties of almond flour: blanched and unblanched. After selecting one of these two options (depending on preference), you can look at some other characteristics that might make the flour more suitable for your particular requirements, such as selecting organic or sifted almond flour. These elements don’t necessarily result in better macarons, but they do have several advantages that can either simplify your life or better suit your lifestyle!
Blanched Vs Un-Blanched
Most people claim that while making macarons, you must use blanched ground almond flour – we slightly agree with this assertion. Blanched almond flour is created by removing the skins from almonds. The only difference is that the macarons appear prettier and are more traditional. However, powdered almonds with their skins can also be used (un-blanched). The flour contains tiny brown particles (the skin) that will show up in your cookie, but they will not influence the flavor or texture significantly.
Sifted
If you’ve ever tried making macarons, you know how much sifting is required. To avoid ruining the texture of the final product with large almond fragments, use almond flour only in small amounts. Because of this, several producers pre-sift their almond flour. Because you don’t have to do it as frequently, it’s advantageous! With your almond flour, we firmly advise doing it at least once more. It still takes less time to filter once than it does three times.
Other Features
Finally, you can look at some more aspects that may be of interest to you. There may be advantages such as being made from organic almonds, being manufactured in a peanut-free facility, being available in bulk volumes, or being more economical.
Best Almond Flours For Macarons
We’ve ranked our favorite almond flour products, which you can easily acquire online. They are all readily available and have numerous significant features that may appeal to the needs of some people.
1. Blue Diamond Blanched Almond Flour, Sifted
The first type of almond flour is Blue Diamond Finely Sifted Almond Flour, which you have probably already seen in supermarkets. As of right now, this product has received certifications for being kosher, paleo, keto, and vegan-friendly. Why wouldn’t it be, you might be asking. It is exclusively made of almonds. However, you’d be shocked at how many manufacturers add trash to bulk up their products!
We also appreciate that this option already has been sifted. You won’t have to spend a lot of time doing it yourself, as we’ve already indicated. This is a fantastic choice, and the key factor pushing it to the top of our ranking is its reduced cost. Some almond flours are outrageously priced while having nothing remarkable about them. Although this ingredient isn’t cheap, it shouldn’t break the wallet.
2. Nature’s Eats Blanched Almond Flour, 64 Ounces
To be absolutely honest, this almond flour isn’t very outstanding or distinctive. It’s simply a fantastic (and reasonably priced) alternative for making macarons. It is created with blanched almonds that have already been pounded finely. We could not find it pre-sifted anyplace. But, in my experience, it didn’t require much sorting. As a result, we assume it is to some extent!
Furthermore, it specifies that the product is created from superior California almonds. So, if you’re into “purchasing local,” that’s something to think about. Finally, this product has a kosher certification and is created with non-GMO almonds. Again, it’s not a particularly noteworthy product. But the reason millions of people adore it is that it is simple to use and inexpensive!
3. Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour
We are all familiar with and adore Bob’s Red Mill products. No one can dispute their high caliber, even though they are a tad on the pricey side of things. Super-Fine Almond Flour is the name of this particular product of theirs. With various almond goods, you will observe that some are just grainy or chunky even though they shouldn’t be. This choice simply… isn’t! It is prepared from premium blanched almonds that have been sifted and ground into a fine flour, which is ideal for cutting down on prep time. It is grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly according to certifications. And they offer a wide range of sizes for their almond flour!
4. Wellbee’s Blanched Almond Flour
This is a fantastic product. It may lack trendy or fashionable branding, but its contents more than make up for it! However, it is pricey, exactly like the Bob’s Red Mill alternative above. This is yet another super-fine almond flour. It will cut down on prep time while producing delicious, silky smooth, and chewy macarons. It is also gluten-free and made with non-GMO almonds! If you’re in a pinch and can’t find any of the flours listed above, we practically promise you’ll be able to get this one.
5. Anthony’s Blanched Premium California Almond Flour
Because of the packaging, we might be a little partial to this product, but it’s one of our go-to choices. Why does it rank so low on our list then? because of the price. However, its cost is generally comparable to others’. You have to pay extra merely because they sell it in larger packages. This flour is created from excellent Californian almonds, is vegan, gluten-free, and all-natural. It is a superb alternative and produces excellent macarons. Of course, you can use it for a variety of other baked foods as well.
6. 365 Whole Foods Market Almond Flour
This is yet another reasonably priced and easily accessible product (in comparison to other almond flour on the market). Again, nothing really noteworthy about this almond flour. They even give very little information about the packing. It is gluten-free and vegan, but that is the extent of the information provided (other than a recipe and the nutritional breakdown). Nonetheless, a high-end product is not always required. And this one is also available in limited quantities. As a result, you don’t have to spend as much money all at once.
7. Barney Skin-Free Almond Flour
Last but not least, although being a great choice, this one is also one of the most expensive. We believe the main reason is that they employed deft marketing strategies that enable them to raise the price rather than because there is something particularly remarkable about this product. For instance, this flour is approved as being devoid of peanuts, gluten, GMOs, kosher, paleo, and vegan ingredients. And it has Californian almonds!
All of the following are present in the majority of almond flours. However, the brand is unable to charge a greater price because they do not receive that certified stamp on the package. It is still a fantastic blanched almond flour to use making macarons, though.