Amazing, vibrant desserts called macarons to make the ideal post-meal treat. When prepared properly, these delicate and fluffy treats will melt in your mouth without a doubt.
But do macarons need to be refrigerated? You can store them in the fridge or freezer for 2-3 days.
What’s the best way to store these tasty little cookies if you do have leftovers, though it’s unlikely? How about on the counter or in the refrigerator?
Here are some of my insider secrets and pointers for storing macarons overnight while keeping them tasty and fresh.
Related article: Does Sriracha Need to Be Refrigerated?
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What Is The Shelf Life of Macarons?
Is refrigeration required for macarons? No, they can be kept at room temperature for two to three days. They should be kept in an airtight container and kept cool and out of direct sunlight. Yes, macarons must be kept in the refrigerator for longer than two to three days. If they are properly packed, macarons can last up to a week in the refrigerator.
TIP: The delicate surface of macarons can be damaged if they are stacked in layers without a piece of parchment paper separating them. Macarons can be stacked in layers, but it is imperative to do so. They should remain edible for a week if you store them in an airtight, completely sealed container in the refrigerator. If you were able to resist the urge to eat them, that is.
If you are having guests and you are serving macarons, but want to be well-prepared in advance, here is another very handy TIP: Make your macaron filling and shells a day or two in advance, but do not combine them.
Separate airtight containers should be used to store the shells and the filling. Although the filling needs to be chilled at this point, the macarons themselves do not. Before your guests arrive, remove the filling from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for an hour. Then, just before they arrive, assemble the macarons. They will be flawless in terms of appearance and taste, tasting as though they were just made.
Do Macarons Need to Be Refrigerated?
If you have leftover macarons or you want to preserve them in advance, you can store them in the fridge or freezer for 2-3 days. They might become mushy or crumble if not stored properly.
Either the shells and filling of the macarons or the entire macaron can be preserved.
How Should Macarons Be Stored Overnight?
Unless you bake your macarons without an oven, let them cool completely on the pan after you remove them from the oven. They are prone to easily starting to crack and fall apart if you remove them from the pan right away after baking.
A too-soft cookie may result from removing macarons from the pan to cool; macarons should be light and crispy on the outside. Allowing them to cool on the pan creates the exterior’s crisp texture.
When your macarons are filled, that is the time to store them. However, allowing them to cool and rest will help to prevent breakage before filling. The macarons can be filled with your favorite fillings once they have completely cooled.
1. Use An Airtight Container
The best way to store macarons is in an airtight container that is clean and dry. Any moisture in the container will transfer to your macarons.
If you’re using a shallow container, add a layer of parchment paper to it and neatly fold up the sides. Place each macaron carefully in a single layer on the parchment paper. Since I don’t want them to stick together, I try to store them apart from one another.
Make sure that no air can enter the container by sealing the lid tightly. Your macarons will quickly become drenched in the air.
Since macarons never last very long in my house, I keep the container on my kitchen counter. At room temperature, they can last up to 24 hours. Place the container in a cool, dark cupboard if you have been baking in a warm environment.
This will shield the container from the sun and heat, preventing the macarons inside from warming up.
2. Store in Macaron Boxes
The best way to store macarons and keep them fresher longer is in boxes designed specifically to hold macarons. and are excellent for carrying them to events like parties.
The sizes of macaron boxes typically range from 2 to 12 macarons, and they are robust and strong. In addition to being storage containers, these boxes also serve as gift boxes. Macaroons are a wonderful gift for a variety of events, including birthdays and baby showers.
Macaron boxes are available online as well as in specialized baking and kitchen stores.
3. Store in The Fridge
The refrigerator is a good place to store macarons so they stay fresh for up to three days if you won’t be eating them all in one sitting. The macarons should be stored in the refrigerator after being placed in an airtight container.
The ideal position is a middle shelf. The top shelf or the bottom of the refrigerator frequently experiences temperature changes. I also avoid putting macarons on the fridge door because the temperature there constantly changes as the door opens and closes.
Macarons will start to become crumbly and mushy if kept in the fridge for more than three days.
Just before serving, take the macarons out of the refrigerator. Eating macarons at room temperature will bring out their fantastic flavor.
4. Freeze Your Macarons
You must freeze macarons if you want to keep them tasty and fresh for longer than three days. Macaroons can be stored in the freezer for about 3 to 4 months without losing any of their texture or flavor.
To avoid freezer burn, you must carefully and securely pack your macarons before freezing. In an airtight plastic container that has two to three layers of parchment paper lined on the bottom, I set my macarons on their side.
I stack two more layers of parchment paper on top and the third layer of aluminum foil to fit the container before sealing the lid.
The idea is to nestle your macarons tightly inside the container so they can freeze without coming into contact with the freezer’s dry air. Because of their delicate texture, macarons are susceptible to freezer burn.
When you’re ready to serve frozen macarons, give them about 30 minutes to fully defrost before eating.
Take out what you need, tightly wrap the remaining macarons once more, and place them back in the freezer if you only need a few.
5. Freeze Unfilled Macarons
You can also freeze the meringues without filling them to keep macarons fresh. For three to four months, they’ll stay fresh in your freezer. Take out of the freezer and let sit for 30 to 45 minutes to defrost before filling with your preferred filling.
In addition to keeping macarons fresh, storing unfilled meringues is a great way to always have these sweet treats on hand or when you need to make a large quantity of them in advance for a special occasion.
How to Defrost Frozen Macarons?
It is best to take the macarons out of the freezer 1 day before you need them and put them inside the fridge to defrost them slowly.
By using the refrigerator to gradually raise the macarons’ temperature, you can avoid having to defrost them on the counter or in the microwave, where the temperature would change suddenly.
Can Macaron Shells Be Crisped Up After Refrigerating?
The good news is that you can crisp up the macaron’s shells if they become soft after being chilled or defrosted. To do so, you can:
- The macaron shells should be baked for 10 minutes at a low temperature in a warm or preheated oven.
- Before filling them, take them out and let them cool for two to three minutes.
- Put them together, and presto! You have perfectly crunchy macarons!
When assembling, be careful to prevent the filling from heating up, as this could cause the shells to melt.
Can Macarons Be Kept on The Counter?
When kept at room temperature, most baked goods only last one to two days. The same goes for macarons.
Since buttery fillings are used to make macarons, storing them at room temperature can cause the butter to soften or melt, causing the macarons to lose their texture and crunch.
If you want to keep the macarons out on the counter, try to store them in a container rather than a resealable bag because they might break.
Your sandwiched macarons may absorb moisture from the air and become overly soft if they are not stored in an appropriate airtight container.
What Can You Do With Macarons That Are Soft Or Broken?
You can use these sweets in a variety of other recipes if the macarons you store start to go bad because of poor packaging.
One of our preferred methods for reusing leftover macarons is to crumble them and use them as a dessert topping. They can also be blended with milk and ice cream to make an excellent milkshake!
The options are endless, so feel free to use your imagination and share your ideas with us in the comments!
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