Introduction
There’s something magical about macarons. These little French cookies are like the sophisticated cousins of your favorite desserts—light, delicate, and oh-so-elegant. But here’s a twist: Oreo Macarons. Yup, we’re taking the classic Oreo cookie and turning it into something even more irresistible! Imagine the smooth, slightly crisp macaron shell paired with a creamy Oreo filling that tastes just like your favorite childhood snack, but with a grown-up flair.
I first stumbled upon this idea when I was craving both a macaron and an Oreo—why not combine the two? After a few experiments in the kitchen, I found the perfect way to balance that sweet macaron shell with a rich, creamy Oreo center. It’s become a favorite at home, especially when we want to impress guests (or just treat ourselves!).
What I love about these Oreo Macarons is how they bring the best of both worlds: the elegance of French pâtisserie and the nostalgic flavors of Oreos. Plus, while macarons have a reputation for being tricky, I’ve included lots of tips to make sure you get the perfect cookie every time—even if it’s your first time baking macarons. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Oreo Macarons are a must-try for so many reasons:
- Fun and Creative: Who doesn’t love a mash-up of their favorite childhood cookies with a sophisticated French dessert? It’s playful, delicious, and perfect for impressing friends and family.
- Surprisingly Easy: Macarons might seem intimidating, but with this step-by-step guide (and a few helpful tricks), you’ll be surprised at how achievable they really are.
- Rich and Creamy: The Oreo filling is creamy, slightly sweet, and adds that iconic cookies-and-cream flavor you know and love. The macarons themselves are light, delicate, and a perfect complement.
- Perfect for Sharing: These macarons are bite-sized and elegant, making them perfect for parties, special occasions, or simply sharing with loved ones.
- Instagram-Worthy: Let’s be honest—macarons are pretty! These Oreo-inspired treats are sure to make a statement on your dessert table or Instagram feed.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create your Oreo Macarons:
Macaron Shells:
- 1 ¾ cups (210g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (110g) almond flour (sifted)
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of cream of tartar
- 4 crushed Oreo cookies, finely ground (remove the cream filling)
Oreo Buttercream Filling:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups (150g) powdered sugar
- 6 Oreo cookies, crushed into fine crumbs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for consistency)
Decoration (Optional):
- Additional crushed Oreo cookies for sprinkling
- White chocolate for drizzling
Step-by-Step Instruction
Here’s how to make your very own Delicious Oreo Macarons from scratch:
1st Step: Prepare the Macaron Shells
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour to ensure no lumps. Add the finely ground Oreo crumbs and gently mix until combined. Set aside.
- Tip: It’s important to remove any large chunks of Oreo from the crumbs. You want them super fine to avoid affecting the texture of your macaron shells.
- Whip the Egg Whites: In a clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add a pinch of cream of tartar and gradually start adding the granulated sugar, a little at a time. Continue beating until you achieve stiff, glossy peaks. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Tip: Make sure your bowl and whisk are grease-free, as any fat can prevent your egg whites from whipping up properly.
- Fold in the Dry Ingredients: Using a spatula, gently fold the almond flour mixture into the beaten egg whites. This is where macaron-making can get tricky—you want to fold until the batter reaches the perfect consistency: smooth and lava-like. The batter should fall off the spatula in a ribbon and disappear back into the mixture after a few seconds.
- Tip: Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing will result in flat, spread-out macarons, while undermixing will cause them to crack.
- Pipe the Macarons: Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe 1-inch circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Be sure to leave space between each macaron shell.
- Tip: Hold the piping bag perpendicular to the baking sheet and pipe slowly to ensure even circles. You can also use a macaron template under your parchment paper for perfect sizing.
- Rest the Macarons: Tap the baking sheet firmly against the counter a few times to release any air bubbles. Then, let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until a skin forms on the surface. When you lightly touch the macaron, it shouldn’t stick to your finger.
- Tip: The resting period is crucial for achieving those classic macaron feet (the ruffled bottom edge).
- Bake the Macarons: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons, one tray at a time, for 15-18 minutes. They should rise and develop their signature feet, and the tops should be firm but not browned. Let them cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
- Tip: Every oven is different! If your macarons are browning too quickly, lower the temperature slightly.
2nd Step: Make the Oreo Buttercream
- Beat the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the Sugar: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and crushed Oreo crumbs and beat until fully combined. If the mixture is too thick, add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
3rd Step: Assemble the Macarons
- Pair the Shells: Match up the macaron shells by size—trust me, they won’t all be identical, so this step helps ensure a uniform look when assembled.
- Fill the Macarons: Pipe the Oreo buttercream onto the flat side of half of the macaron shells. Gently press the other half of the shells on top to sandwich the filling.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the macarons in an airtight container for 24 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to improve. But if you’re impatient like me, go ahead and sneak one right away—they’ll still be delicious!
How to Serve
These Oreo Macarons can be served as a delicious side dish or a comforting main course. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your meal:
- Classic Cookies and Cream: Serve these macarons as-is for a fun cookies-and-cream twist on a traditional French treat.
- With Ice Cream: Pair these macarons with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
- Crumbled Over Desserts: Crush leftover macarons over brownies, cakes, or even your favorite milkshake for an added Oreo-flavored crunch.
Additional Tips
Here are some handy tips to ensure your Oreo Macarons turn out perfectly:
- Use Room Temperature Egg Whites: This helps them whip up faster and more stably.
- Rest the Macarons: Letting the shells rest before baking is key to getting that perfect macaron foot.
- Weigh Your Ingredients: Precision is everything with macarons. Weighing your ingredients ensures consistent results.
- Macaronage: Be careful when folding the batter. You want it to flow like lava but not be runny.
- Storage: Macarons actually taste better after a day or two in the fridge, so make them ahead if possible.
Recipe Variations
While this recipe is delicious as-is, here are some fun variations to keep things fresh:
- Gluten-Free: Replace the Oreo cookies with gluten-free alternatives, and ensure your almond flour is certified gluten-free.
- Flavored Shells: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the macaron shell mixture for extra chocolate flavor.
- Mint Oreo Macarons: Add a drop of mint extract to the buttercream for a refreshing twist.
Freezing and Storage
These Oreo Macarons can be stored for later enjoyment:
- Storing Macarons: Store macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze unfilled macaron shells for up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost at room temperature and fill with your Oreo buttercream.
Special Equipment
To make these Oreo Macarons, you’ll need a few handy tools:
- Piping Bags: A piping bag is essential for getting those perfect macaron circles.
- Silicone Baking Mat: These help prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Food Processor: To crush the Oreos and almond flour finely for the batter.
FAQ
1. Why did my macarons crack?
Cracked macarons can result from under-mixed batter or insufficient resting time. Be sure to give your macaron shells enough time to form a skin before baking, and mix the batter until it has a lava-like consistency.
2. Why don’t my macarons have feet?
Feet are the frilly edges around the base of a macaron, and not getting them can be disappointing. This can happen if your batter is over-mixed, if your oven is too cool, or if the macarons didn’t rest long enough before baking.
3. How do I know when my macarons are ready to bake?
After piping, let the macarons sit for about 30-60 minutes. They’re ready to bake when you can lightly touch the surface and it feels dry, not sticky.
4. Can I use store-bought almond flour?
Yes, but make sure it’s finely ground. If your almond flour has large chunks, sift it to achieve a smoother batter and prevent lumpy macarons.
5. Can I use a different filling?
Absolutely! If Oreo buttercream isn’t your thing, try a simple vanilla or chocolate ganache, or even a cream cheese frosting for a tangier filling.
6. How long do macarons last?
Macarons can last up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container, but their texture actually improves after sitting for a day or two.
PrintOreo Macarons
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 ¾ cups (210g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (110g) almond flour (sifted)
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of cream of tartar
- 4 crushed Oreo cookies, finely ground (remove the cream filling)
For the Oreo Buttercream Filling:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups (150g) powdered sugar
- 6 Oreo cookies, crushed into fine crumbs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for consistency)
For Decoration (Optional):
- Additional crushed Oreo cookies for sprinkling
- White chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Macaron Shells
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour to ensure no lumps. Add the finely ground Oreo crumbs and gently mix until combined. Set aside.
- Whip the Egg Whites: In a clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add a pinch of cream of tartar and gradually start adding the granulated sugar, a little at a time. Continue beating until you achieve stiff, glossy peaks. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Fold in the Dry Ingredients: Using a spatula, gently fold the almond flour mixture into the beaten egg whites. The batter should fall off the spatula in a ribbon and disappear back into the mixture after a few seconds.
- Pipe the Macarons: Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe 1-inch circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Rest the Macarons: Tap the baking sheet firmly against the counter a few times to release any air bubbles. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until a skin forms on the surface.
- Bake the Macarons: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons, one tray at a time, for 15-18 minutes. They should rise and develop their signature feet. Let them cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
Step 2: Make the Oreo Buttercream
- Beat the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the Sugar: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and crushed Oreo crumbs. If the mixture is too thick, add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time.
Step 3: Assemble the Macarons
- Pair the Shells: Match up the macaron shells by size.
- Fill the Macarons: Pipe the Oreo buttercream onto the flat side of half of the macaron shells. Gently press the other half of the shells on top.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the macarons for 24 hours before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
Conclusion
Oreo Macarons are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves both French desserts and the timeless charm of Oreo cookies. The delicate macaron shells with the rich, creamy filling are a match made in dessert