If you’ve come looking for tried and true equipment and supplies to make macarons, you’re in the right place! Read through to find out which items are MUST haves to bake these elevated sandwich cookies, along a few supplies that you can get by without, but make life a lot easier!
All items on this list are things I use and personally recommend, or have reputable product reviews and are the closest I could find to what I use.
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
1. Kitchen Scale
This item is first on the list for a reason! Macarons have a tendency to be finicky, and varying ingredient amounts is NOT something you want to add in to the mix. Get yourself a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements, increasing your odds of consistent results!
2. Oven Thermometer
I hate to break it to you, but your oven is probably lying to you. Most ovens do not accurately read the temperature inside. Set yourself up for success by purchasing an oven thermometer to know EXACTLY what’s happening to the temperature to bake your macarons in the ideal environment.
Tip: Get two thermometers to keep an eye on spots in your oven which may run warmer!
3. Quality Baking Sheets
Many things can effect the success of your macaron shells, and one of those factors is the quality of your baking sheets.
Aluminum Baking Sheets
Most bakers opt for aluminum baking sheets due to the durability and even heat distribution they provide. I’ve been using this Nordic Ware Set of 2 Aluminum Baking pans for a few years now and have zero “cons” to share! This is one of the most popular choices among bakers.
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet, 2-Pack, Silver
Airbake Trays
Another option I’ve personally experimented with and are also used in the baking community are Airbake Trays. These trays offer increased insulation to protect your macaron shells from heating too quickly from the bottom.
AirBake Natural 2 Pack Cookie Sheet Set, 16 x 14 in
4. Silicone Mats
Silicone mats provide a fantastic surface for macarons to bake. They are non stick without having to add any additional fats to grease pans which negatively effects your batter. Silicone mats can also be washed and reused for many years.
A huge bonus for silicone mats is that it’s very easy to find options with macaron templates already printed on them. Here’s my go to mats that have served me well for several years now!
I also recently picked up a set of mats from Michaels that I have enjoyed for creating content purposes especially with the clear/neutral background.
5. Electric Mixer
Unless you’re hoping to get a serious arm workout, make sure you have an electric mixer to whip up those gorgeous glossy meringues that are the foundation of macarons. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer!
It goes without saying that Kitchen Aid Stand mixers are number 1 for a reason. Sturdy, durable over the test of time, and powerful. Kitchen Aid’s are an investment, but the time and energy it will save you in the long run is well worth it! (Plus they come in so many fun colors) My trusty mixer is still going strong after 10 years, and my MOM’S is still going strong after 30!
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
If you’re not looking to invest in a Kitchen Aid or stand mixer quite yet, I’ve heard many bakers say they have success with hand mixers.
KitchenAid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer
6. Whisk and Sifter
Sifting the powdered sugar and almond flour for your macaron batter gets rid of any large pieces or clumps, resulting in smoother shells! Find a mesh strainer that doesn’t take 5 years to run the almond flour through, but is still fine enough to catch those bigger pieces.
7. Silicone Spatulas
A trusty silicone spatula is your best friend when making macarons. Opt for one with enough flex to scrape down the sides of your bowl, with a wide head to knock the needed air out of your batter.
Hotec Food Grade Silicone Rubber Spatula Set
8. Gel Food Coloring
Macarons are known for their bright and cheerful colors. Gel food coloring is a great choice for macaron batter because it is highly concentrated and won’t introduce a lot of liquid. Here are my top 2 gel food coloring brands! These colors can be used for macaron shells and fillings as is, and they can also be used for “painting” on shells when diluted with clear alcohol or extract. (I also just purchased the Sugar Art’s new line of gels but will wait to put them on the list until I’ve tested them more)
Food Coloring AmeriColor Student – Kit 12 .75 Ounce Bottles Soft Gel Paste Colors
Wilton Icing Colors, 8-Count Icing Colors
9. Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are a kitchen essential, and you’ll definitely need a variety of different sizes for making macarons to sift your dry ingredients into, color buttercreams, macaronage, and more.
COOK WITH COLOR Mixing Bowls with Lids – 12 Piece Plastic Nesting Bowls Set
10. Piping Bags
Reusable silicone piping bags are incredible handy for piping your macaron batter and fillings.
Kasmoire Reusable Piping Bags and Tips Set
11. Piping Tips
A few solid piping tips go a long way when it comes to macarons. Piping tips increase control and consistency when used to pipe your macaron shells and your fillings. The most popular piping tips to pipe shells are the #12, and the 2A. The batter in my macaron recipe is on the thicker end of the spectrum, so I personally prefer the 2A tip. (The link below also includes the 1M and 2D which work great for fillings. It’s cheaper to purchase tips in a multi pack)
For filling macarons, you can get creative and make just about any piping tip work, but here are some trusty sizes that you’ll come back to again and again.
(P.S. The #12 linked above is the perfect size for creating a border or dam of buttercream to hold softer fillings like curds or jams in)
12. Bag Holders
Ok so this one’s not a necessity, but my goodness will it make your life easier! These bag holders are perfect for holding your piping bag upright freeing up both of your hands to load in your macaron batter.
13. Immersion Blender
When it comes to making ganache for macaron fillings, an immersion blender will give you the silky results every baker dreams of. You can totally get by without, but if you’re able to swing it I highly recommend picking one of these up to streamline your ganache making process.
Cuisinart CSB-179 Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
14. Macaron Shell and Filling Storage
Protect the hard work you’ve put into your macarons with the right size food storage! My favorite is the Snapware brand because they’re air tight, non toxic, freezer safe, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe. The large size is this set is great for holding a dozen macarons or so, and the small/medium ones work perfect for fillings like curds, jams, buttercreams, and ganaches.
Snapware Total Solution 20-Pc Plastic Food Storage Containers Set with Lids
For larger batches of macarons, here is my trusty large food storage container. It’s deep enough to store macarons on their sides, but not so deep that it wastes a bunch of space in your freezer.
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container, 1.5 Gallon
For an inexpensive option, Target sometimes carries a similar sized food storage container in their Up&Up Snap and Store Brand, but it wasn’t available online to link. I will say they’re a bit less sturdy, but they get the job done and have slightly less rounded corners which is nice when you’re storing macarons up on their sides so they don’t roll around as much.
15. Sprinkles
Sprinkles are one of the easiest ways to jazz up macaron shells. A word of warning, sometimes larger sprinkles can burn through your shells when baking. Smaller is usually safer! Nonpareils and sanding sugars look gorgeous and are so simple to apply.
Wilton White Nonpareils Cake Decorating Supplies
Wilton W992 Sugar Sprinkles 8 Ounces
16. Gold Accents
Everything is better with gold! Metallic accents are such a gorgeous way to accent macaron designs.
Oasis supply Lustre Dust, Pharaoh’s Gold
17. Meringue Powder (Royal Icing Decoration)
There are many ways to decorate macaron shells with royal icing. The perk of royal icing is how it dries firm and won’t get smudged when packaged together. Satin Ice makes a great meringue powder to use as the base of your royal icing.
18. Flavorings
One of the best things about macarons is the incredible amount of versatility they offer when it comes to flavor. Here are a few of my tried and true extracts, oils, and flavorings for fillings.
Amoretti Artisan Line
My love for Amoretti Artisan Products runs deep! Authentic taste, natural flavoring, and high concentration all wrapped into a product as easy to add as an extract. Head over to Amoretti.com and check out their full line of Artisans! Use my code THEWHITEWHISK10 for a 10% off discount.
Vanilla
Lemon Oil
Lavender Extract
Pure Bulgarian Lavender Extract for Baking
Rose Water
Nielsen-Massey Rose Water for Baking, Cooking and Drinks
Almond Extract
19. Macaron Display Tower
If you’re interested in a cute display for your macarons, check out this budget friendly 6 Tier Macaron Tower. It won’t win any awards for being super structurally sturdy, but if you just want something on the inexpensive end to elevate your mac display, this one is a great option. It also breaks down for more compact storage. I’ve used this particular tower in a few macaron displays at events for family and friends, and it served me well.
6 Tier Round Macaron Tower Stand Cake Display
I also want to give a shoutout to two other macaron towers that I haven’t personally tried, but have heard so many trusted friends give great reviews for that it would be a shame not to mention them!
First up is a gorgeous, sturdy, collapsible tower from the ever so talented Miss Melinda’s Makery! Melinda’s towers are a definite level up from the Amazon one I previously linked, but still remain in the mid range price point a lot of bakers need. If you know you’ll be using your tower frequently I’d recommend purchasing hers instead of the plastic amazon one.
Slate-Pearl White 6 Tier Macaron Tower
Second recommendation for a sturdy macaron tower is this massive hand made 9 tier wooden beauty from 4EverMemories. This tower would be more of an investment piece, but I’ve heard nothing but good things from bakers who use these for their events and displays.
4EverMemories Macaron Tower 9 Tier
And that’s a wrap! With a few basics, you’ll be all set to get baking macaron masterpieces! If you’re looking for a detailed beginner friendly recipe to get started with, be sure to check out my Basic French Macarons Recipe.
Once you’ve got the basics down, head over to these macaron recipes with simple but delicious flavors! Thanks for stopping by today.
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