1-Begin: Begin by lining a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to set the stage for your macaron shells. Next, combine 1 ⅔ cup powdered sugar and 1 cup almond flour, then pulse them in a food processor until they’re well mixed and free of lumps, or simply sift them together in a bowl for that perfect base.

2-Once your dry ingredients are ready: beat 3 large egg whites at room temperature on low speed until they’re frothy, and if you want a pop of color, add a drop of red or pink food coloring. Gradually mix in ¼ cup granulated sugar and keep beating until stiff peaks form, creating a stable meringue that’s key to the macarons’ light texture. Gently fold this meringue into the dry mix using a silicone spatula, making sure the batter flows smoothly in a figure 8 without breaking, which helps avoid overmixing.

3-Transfer the batter: to a piping bag fitted with a tip and pipe out 1-inch disks onto your prepared cookie sheet. Tap the sheet firmly on the counter to remove any air bubbles, and use a toothpick to pop any that remain for smooth tops. Let the macarons rest for about 1 hour until a dry layer forms on top, then preheat your oven to 280°F and bake them on the middle rack for 15 minutes total, rotating the sheet every 5 minutes for even baking.

4-After baking, let the shells cool completely before peeling them off the mat and pairing them by size. For the buttercream, start by grinding ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a food processor. Beat 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter until it’s creamy, then add the strawberry powder and half of 1 cup powdered sugar, mixing well before adding the rest and beating for 5-6 minutes on medium speed.

5-If the buttercream feels too thick, adjust it with 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk at a time. Finally, fill a piping bag with the buttercream and pipe it onto one shell, then sandwich it with a matching shell, repeating for all the macarons. To learn more about perfecting buttercream techniques, check out our recipe for funfetti Greek yogurt muffins, which shares similar mixing tips.