Published: · Modified: by Jessica Mode · This content may include affiliate links.
Looking for easy fillings for macarons? Check out these 57 recipes full of the best filling ideas including chocolate flavored, holiday-inspired, and fruit-infused. You'll be so impressed with these fillings for macarons, and you'll have endless combinations to try!
Want To Save This Article?
Enter your email below and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll receivenew weekly recipe inspiration.
Wondering what to fill macarons with? You're going to love all these fun and delicious macaron filling ideas!
Since the shell (cookie) is usually fairly neutral in flavor, the filling is where you can pack a punch and add lots of character and variety to the macaron. You can also be creative and use differentmacaron piping tipsto make fun designs with the filling.
Below you'll find a list of filling ideas broken up by different categories. You can use your favorite macaron recipe for the shells, like these French-style macarons or Italian method macarons, then spice things up with one of the fillings below.
If you enjoy baking macarons, don't forget to sign up for a free e-book with my favorite macaron filling recipes of all time!
What are Macarons Traditionally Filled With?
There are many different filling options. Here are some of the common and best fillings for macarons:
- Buttercream: American, Swiss meringue, Italian meringue, etc. If you're looking for a classic buttercream filling, try my vanilla buttercream recipe.
- Ganache: You can vary the flavor using different types of chocolate. Try my five-ingredient chocolate ganache filling.
- Curd: Made with a variety of citrus and fruit flavors.
- Jam: Can be used as a filling on its own or piped inside a ring of buttercream.
- Caramel: Can be used on its own, piped inside a ring of buttercream, or incorporated completely into the buttercream.
Check out my digital cookbook, Flavorful Fillings, for 100+ macaron filling recipes using all of the traditional fillings listed above.
Fillings For Macarons
Classic Flavors
Vanilla Buttercream: This five-ingredientrecipe can be eaten alone or paired with jam or curd, and it's made in just 30 minutes.
Chocolate Buttercream: The fluffiest and tastiest chocolate buttercream macaron filling that requires just six ingredients.
Cream Cheese: It only takes six ingredients to enjoy this delicious cream cheese macaron filling. Plus, it's creamy and so delicious!
Chocolate Ganache: This is a classic semi-sweet chocolate ganache that only requires five easy ingredients.
White Chocolate: This ganache adds a rich and luxurious touch to macarons and is the perfect blank canvas if you want to layer in additional flavors of jam or compote.
Salted Caramel: A rich and luxurious caramel, with the perfect amount of salt!
Chocolate Based
Chocolate Salted Caramel: Mix chocolate ganache and caramel for a classic, yet delicious, combination.
Hot Chocolate: Combine chocolate ganache with marshmallow fluff for a heavenly flavor.
: A chocolate buttercream with crushed up M&M's is the ultimate candy treat.
Caramelized White Chocolate: These caramelized white chocolate macarons are stuffed with a nutty, rich filling.
Oreo: This beloved cookie is the perfect addition to a buttercream filling. Think cookies and cream with a macaron twist!
Chocolate Mint: You can't go wrong with a classic peppermint buttercream with a hint of chocolate.
Dessert Flavored
Brownie: Enjoy the rich, velvety taste of a brownie in macaron form. This brownie buttercream filling is for all chocolate lovers who want a little indulgence in their lives.
Cookie Dough: This brown sugar and chocolate chip buttercream pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk.
Peanut Butter: This peanut butter buttercream pairs perfectly with chocolate macaron shells.
Red Velvet: This recipe is everything you love about red velvet cake in macaron form. Bright white macaron shells are paired with a red velvet and cream cheese filling.
Carrot Cake: Try these carrot cake macarons, which are filled with a delicious cream cheese and carrot cake buttercream. Perfect for the spring season!
Mint Oreo: Combine mint flavored Oreos into a white chocolate ganache for a perfect touch of chocolate and mint.
Fruit Infused
Blackberry: Blackberry jam infuses perfectly in buttercream for a bright, summer flavor.
Guava: This is a tropical twist on the classic buttercream using guava paste.
Lemon Curd: With just 5 ingredients and a few minutes of kitchen work, you will have a zesty lemon curd macaron filling that’s to die for.
Lemon Buttercream: These yellow shells are the perfect bright and fresh macarons for the spring. The buttercream is filled with fresh lemon juice and zest.
Lime Curd: Lime curd gives a sour bite to your macarons.
Orange Lemon: The burst of citrus provides a nice pop of flavor in the buttercream!
Plum: Sweet and tart plum jam surrounded by a sugary buttercream is an easy macaron filling idea.
Raspberry: Combine some raspberry fruit spread with chocolate ganache for a classic macaron filling.
Strawberry Cream: Another classic flavor! This pink buttercream is made with freeze dried strawberries and cream cheese.
Holiday Inspired
Apple Pie: A classic Thanksgiving pie also makes a great macaron filling.
Candy Corn: Melt in some candy corn to chocolate ganache for an easy Halloween treat.
Cranberry White Chocolate: Pair together cranberry sauce and white chocolate swiss meringue buttercream.
Eggnog: Dress up white chocolate ganache with some eggnog during the holiday months.
Gingerbread: A classic Christmas cookie also makes a luxurious holiday macaron filling.
Chocolate Pecan Pie: This chocolate ganache has a crunchy filling full of pecan bits.
Peppermint Bark: This chocolate pastry cream is filled with cocoa, espresso, and most importantly peppermint!
Snickerdoodle: There's nothing better than a buttercream filled with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Sophisticated Flavors
Earl Grey Ganache: A classic white chocolate ganache infused with early grey tea.
Espresso: Espresso powder is a delicious addition to buttercream.
Lemon Lavender: A beautiful yellow colored buttercream with a hint of lavender.
Maple Pecan: This fall-inspired filling has a sweet touch of maple and a crunchy bite from the nuts.
Matcha: Matcha ganache is the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. The lovely green color really makes the macarons pop!
Pistachio: This cream cheese filling is flavored with finely ground pistachios.
Pumpkin Ganache: A creamy pumpkin spiced ganache is the perfect fall flavored filling.
Tiramisu: Mascarpone is the base of this decadent filling.
Spiked With Alcohol
Baileys: A ganche infused with Baileys Irish Cream would be perfect for a St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Champagne White Chocolate Ganache: A light and easy option that would be perfect for a party.
Guinness: Irish stout is a unique, boozy macaron filling that makes the perfect addition to the buttercream.
Jameson: This is a simple buttercream with a hint of Irish whiskey.
Kahlúa: A boozy, coffee flavored liqueur buttercream would be delicious with a chocolate macaron shell.
Margarita: This tequila and lime-infused buttercream will make you feel like you're sipping a drink on the beach.
Wacky & Fun
Birthday Cake: Buttercream with boxed cake mix and rainbow sprinkles is a fun combination.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch: A cinnamon sugar buttercream that tastes like cereal.
Cotton Candy: This cotton candy flavored swiss meringue buttercream would pair perfectly with a brightly colored macaron shell.
Lucky Charms: These fun, green macarons are filled with a Lucky Charms milk cereal ganache, then decorated with the colorful marshmallows.
Mint Brownie: This is the perfect combination of sweet (from the brownie) and fresh (from the mint)!
Peeps Marshmallow: Remember the bunny Peeps your mom used to put in your Easter basket? Relive that classic childhood flavor with these macarons.
Cadbury Egg: This chocolate ganache is filled with crushed Cadbury mini eggs.
S'mores: A combination of chocolate ganache and marshmallow fluff creates a s'more macaron.
Watermelon KoolAid: Relive a childhood favorite flavor with this watermelon buttercream.
Macaron Filling FAQs
What is macaron filling made of?
There are many different options for macaron fillings including buttercream, caramel, ganache, curd, and jam. The possibilities are endless! The key is making sure the filling doesn't slide off the macaron shell.
What are some macaron fillings that don't need refrigeration?
The best filling to keep at room temperature is American buttercream.
Common American buttercream that's made with butter and confectioners' sugar can last about 2- 3 days outside of the refrigerator. Just make sure there isn't any added dairy, like milk or cream, in the recipe.
How do I pick the color of the macaron shell?
Typically, the color of the shell signals the flavor of the macaron. For example, if you're making a macaron with blueberry filling, you would want to consider coloring the macaron batter blue.
Can I make the macaron filling ahead of time?
Yes, many of the filling recipes listed above can be made ahead of time. Refer to the recipe notes for more specific details.
Can I pipe the macaron filling using a piping tip?
Yes! Many of the macaron fillings, especially buttercream, can be piped into fun and creative designs. I love using the extra-large Wilton tips to make fun piping designs on my macarons.
Other Articles You May Enjoy
Be sure to check out these other macaron-related articles:
- How To Flavor Macarons (28 Easy Ideas)
- Printable Macaron Template Guide (Free PDF)
- 30+ Best Macaron Recipes
