How Long Do Macarons Last?

No party menu or a snack table looks complete without a platter of macarons. Those round, crispy, and sweet biscuits are now served in endless varieties in every household. The thing I personally like about them is that we can add colors of our own choice and customize new flavors using different essences, chocolates or fillings. It is true that every time we bake these treats at home, we want them to last for several days. I, myself, bake multiple batches at a time and then store them for constant use.

In this article, we will discuss some simple techniques to store the macarons while preserving their freshness. So, get ready to store your baked goods at home and enjoy them any time of the day, whenever you want and where ever you like.

What Are Macarons?

Macarons are associated with French cuisine and they have been widely popular in France. There are endless varieties that are baked there. Perhaps if you want to enjoy some of the finest and delicious macarons, then now you know where to go. They are known for their round and crispy biscuit-like appearance and the biscuits are usually filled with soft and smooth filling like a sandwich.

There are other varieties in which baked macarons are dipped in chocolate melts or drizzled with colorful sprinkles etc. To make these delicious treats, you would need some basic ingredients for its dough like the Almond meal, egg whites and sugar. Besides these ingredients a number of others can be added to make the end result more delightful.

The macarons which most of my readers are likely familiar with are usually the colored ones. They are known as Parisian Macarons. They are not only tempting to the eyes, but they also adorn the dinner tables well with their refreshing colors. You can add different essences to match the color, like lemon juice to the yellow ones, orange juice to the orange ones, vanilla essence to the white ones, cocoa powder to the brown ones and so on and so forth.

People often confused “macarons” with “Macaroons,” though both are desserts and gluten-free biscuits. They are completely different in taste and texture. The macarons we are discussing here are round baked biscuits made with almond meal dough whereas the “Macaroons” are made out of coconut shreds or flakes, perhaps small coconut shred cakes. Keep this difference in mind while you look for the macaron recipe.

History of The Macaron

Lets time-travel to 1791 when the macarons were first created. That’s what the French Dictionary Larousse Gastronomique tells us about their history. When King Henry Li of France married Catherine De Medici of Italy, she brought her Italian Pastry chefs with her. It was those chefs who first time created this recipe using their traditional ingredients. But they remained bound within the walls of the king’s palace. It was not until 1792 that they gained popularity in the whole of France.

There were two nuns who were seeking asylum during the French revolution; they baked the treats themselves and started selling on the streets to make a living. That’s how they became public. Initially, they used nothing but almond ground, sugar, and egg whites and baked plain biscuits without any filling.

The macarons that we now see today were first created in the early 20th century. Pierre Desfontaines of Patisserie Laduree in France was the first to sandwich the macaron shells and add a buttercream or jam as a filling between them. This filling is also known as the flavored Ganache.

How Long Do Macarons Last?

Macarons should be refrigerated for optimal taste and consumed within 3 days. After this period, it is important that you are aware that the macarons will last a maximum of 7 days. Do not leave them in an open container when using a refrigerator. Beyond this, freezing is an option for up to 6 months.

I have to admit the answer to this question lies how well you store them. We know all bakery items can lose their form and taste over time. But you can preserve the freshly baked treats using the following methods.

1. Storage at Room Temperature

All biscuits can last fresh for only a couple of days when stored at room temperature. The same is true for macarons, and since they have a butter filling inside, keep them outside during summer can affect both their taste and texture. To enjoy them with their delightful taste, they should be consumed within 3 days. And if you are purchasing them from the store and eat them within the 3 days of purchase. These sandwich biscuits can easily absorb moisture and turn soft with time. So, make sure to keep them in a sealed jar. Use a clean and dry jar to store the macarons.

2. Refrigeration

And if you want to enjoy them for more than three days, then there is another option too. Refrigerate the baked goods in a sealed Ziplock bag or a sealed container and place it in the refrigerator. In this way, you can preserve your macarons for up to 7 days. They should be kept in an airtight container if following these instructions.

3. Freezing

You might be wondering can you freeze macarons? Short answer is yes! If you want to prolong the storage time even further, like up to 6 months, then you can store them in your freezers. Now that is enough time to enjoy plenty of these without putting in a lot of effort to bake regularly. To freeze them, first, place the baked goods in a tray lined with baking paper or plastic wrap and then place them in the freezer. It takes 1 hour to solidify them and then you can transfer the treat from the tray to the ziplock bag. Seal the bag and return to the freezer. Make sure to not to put the biscuits under any pressure or heavy material. Let them thaw at room temperature then serve.

Calories

Of course this is fully dependent on the ingredients you add, however the typical recipe has 140-160 calories per macaron.

Conclusion:

Inevitably, macarons are one of those delicacies that nobody wants to miss out on. Whether we bake them at home or buy them from the stores, we all want to keep saving for a longer time to enjoy their good taste, creamy filling and crispy biscuits. They are excellent snacks to serve to guest, to pack in the tiffin boxes, carry to picnics or for recreation. One bite gives an instant boost of energy along with blasting flavors that remain in your mouth. Try these methods to store your macarons and tell us which method worked best for you.