18 April 2025
Macaron Jardin d'Été
RecipeShare Test Kitchen
A summery macaron featuring the refreshing brightness of lemon zest and juice, paired with caramelized fennel seasoned with Sarawak black pepper.
A Summer Garden in a Bite 🌿🍋
Macaron Jardin d'Été captures the essence of long, warm days and the gentle sweetness of summer herbs. This creation brings together two striking components: a bright, fragrant lemon cream and a deeply aromatic caramelized fennel seasoned with Sarawak black pepper. The contrast is irresistible — fresh citrus meets warm spice, all enclosed in delicately coloured macaron shells.
The Magic of Lemon & Fennel ✨
At the heart of this macaron is its intensely fragrant lemon cream. The zest, juice, and velvety butter create a silky base, enriched with cocoa butter for stability and almond powder for softness. This isn’t just any lemon cream — it’s a multi-day process that allows the flavours to deepen and mellow beautifully.
Then comes the unexpected twist: caramelized fennel. Slowly cooked with Muscovado sugar, lemon, and freshly ground pepper, the fennel transforms into something sweet, aromatic, and deeply complex. Once blended, it becomes a smooth, perfumed paste that pairs perfectly with the lemon cream.
Dual-Coloured Shells for a Sunlit Finish 🌞🌿
To reflect its summery inspiration, this macaron uses two coloured shells:
- Yellow shells infused with vibrant citrus tones
- Anise green shells with a subtle herbal undertone
Together, they make each macaron visually playful and reminiscent of a sunny garden.
Crafting Flavours in Layers 🍋🌱
The recipe is intentionally structured over several days. Preparing the lemon cream ahead gives it time to settle, thicken, and mature. The caramelized fennel benefits from slow drying and resting. And as with all great macarons, the final assembled sweets need a full day in the fridge to develop that perfect chewy-crisp balance.
When you bite into it, you get:
- A lemon burst upfront
- A gentle build of caramelized fennel sweetness
- A lingering pepper warmth
- A creamy centre against the airy texture of macaron shells
It’s elegant, summery, and full of contrast — truly a macaron that feels like a stroll through a French garden in July.
Tips for Perfecting This Recipe 💡
- Prepare the lemon cream in advance — it intensifies beautifully over time.
- Let freshly baked macarons mature for at least 24 hours for the perfect texture.
- Use a microplane for finely fragrant lemon zest.
- Make sure your fennel paste is silky before piping — it blends better with the cream.
A Macaron for Lemon Lovers & Summer Dreamers 🍃💛
Macaron Jardin d'Été is an invitation to savour seasonal flavours in a delicate, patisserie-style treat. If you love citrus desserts or enjoy experimenting with herbaceous and aromatic combinations, this macaron will quickly become a favourite — bright, fragrant, and wonderfully unexpected.
Enjoy each bite as a tiny moment of sunshine. ☀️💛
Macaron Jardin d'Été
RecipeShare Test KitchenA summery macaron featuring the refreshing brightness of lemon zest and juice, paired with caramelized fennel seasoned with Sarawak black pepper.
Chef's Tips
Prepare the lemon cream up to 5 days in advance for best flavor development.
Allow the macarons to rest in the fridge for 24 hours before eating to enhance texture and taste.
Tools Used
Microplane ZesterMixing Bowls(opens in a new tab)Saucepan(opens in a new tab)ThermometerHand Mixer(opens in a new tab)Piping BagsPlain Round Piping Tip #11Baking Sheets(opens in a new tab)Parchment Paper(opens in a new tab)Stand Mixer(opens in a new tab)
We use affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Ingredients
USMetric
Lemon Cream
Caramelized Fennel
Yellow Macaron Shells
Anise Green Macaron Shells
Instructions
Lemon Cream Preparation (2 Days Before)
- 1
Rinse, dry, and zest the lemons into a bowl.
- 2
Add sugar and rub together with zest.
- 3
Add eggs and lemon juice.
- 4
Cook over a bain-marie until the mixture reaches 83–84°C, whisking occasionally.
- 5
Cool the bowl over an ice bath to 60°C.
- 6
Incorporate butter, whisking until smooth, then blend for 10 minutes.
- 7
Cover directly with cling film and refrigerate overnight.
Finalize Lemon Cream (1 Day Before)
- 1
Melt cocoa butter and mix with the prepared lemon cream.
- 2
Add almond powder and mix thoroughly.
- 3
Refrigerate until needed.
Caramelized Fennel Preparation
- 1
Preheat oven to 100°C.
- 2
Dice fennel into 1 cm cubes.
- 3
Caramelize butter and Muscovado sugar in a pan.
- 4
Add fennel cubes, lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper.
- 5
Spread on a lined baking sheet and dry in the oven for 30 minutes.
- 6
Let cool, then blend into a fine paste.
Yellow Macaron Shells
- 1
Sift icing sugar and almond powder together.
- 2
Mix food coloring into half of the egg whites and pour over the dry ingredients.
- 3
Heat water and sugar to 118°C; when it reaches 115°C, start whipping the remaining egg whites.
- 4
Pour cooked sugar syrup over whipped whites, beat until cooled to 50°C.
- 5
Fold meringue into almond-sugar mixture.
- 6
Pipe 3.5 cm rounds onto lined baking sheets, leaving space between.
- 7
Tap trays on the counter and rest shells at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Anise Green Macaron Shells
- 1
Repeat the same method as for the yellow shells, adjusting the colorings as specified.
Baking and Assembly
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C convection.
- 2
Bake macarons for 12 minutes, briefly opening the oven twice to release moisture.
- 3
Cool macaron shells on work surface.
- 4
Pipe lemon cream onto yellow shells, add a ball of caramelized fennel paste, top with a small dot of lemon cream.
- 5
Cover with a green shell, pressing lightly.
- 6
Refrigerate assembled macarons for 24 hours, then let come to room temperature 2 hours before serving.
Save, Plan & Shop Smarter
Create and edit your own recipes, import from most websites, plan your week, and build smart grocery lists.
Import recipes from most websites
Create and edit your own recipes
Plan your week with the Meal Planner
Mark favourites for quick access
Build grocery lists from your meal plan
Tick off pantry items you already have
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 macaron
Calories 80
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g6%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 10mg0%
Total Carbohydrates 8g3%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Sugars 7g
Protein 1g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Create your own recipe
Add your personal creations and build your own recipe collection.
Loading...
