Bakeware Kit · Cookies & bars
French Macaron Kit
Macarons punish guesswork. Weighing in grams, sifting the almond flour and piping even circles fix most failed batches. The Complete list adds thermometers for the oven and the Italian-meringue method.
What you'll make: French Macaron Shells, Classic Meringue, Swiss Meringue
Kit size
Price level ($ = lower cost)
7 Amazon items, minus anything you tick as already owned. You confirm every item on Amazon.
Start with real vanilla
From VanillaGoods · Essential
Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Grade A (5 beans)
Scrape one bean into the filling for the speckled vanilla-bean macarons you see in bakeries.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Scrape one bean into the filling for the speckled vanilla-bean macarons you see in bakeries.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Scrape one bean into the filling for the speckled vanilla-bean macarons you see in bakeries.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Measure
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Essential
Digital kitchen scale
Budget pick: Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale
Accurate to the gram for everyday baking, at a low price.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: OXO Good Grips 5-lb Scale with Pull-Out Display
The pull-out display stays readable under big bowls; tares with one touch. Weighs up to 5 lb.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: My Weigh KD-8000 Baker's Math Scale
Reads to 0.1 g and has a baker's-percentage mode; built for serious bread bakers.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if your scale already reads in grams.
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Essential
Flour sifter
Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Complete kit
Oven thermometer
Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer
Macarons crack or brown if the oven is off by even 15 degrees.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer
Macarons crack or brown if the oven is off by even 15 degrees.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer
Macarons crack or brown if the oven is off by even 15 degrees.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Complete kit
Instant-read thermometer
Budget pick: TempPro 1-Second Instant-Read Thermometer
Quick and simple; handles every doneness check.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2
Reads in 2-3 seconds and shrugs off splashes; from a maker pastry kitchens trust.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
Reads in one second and lasts for years: the thermometer pros carry.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if you have any digital probe thermometer.
Mix & prep
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Essential
Hand mixer
Budget pick: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer
All the creaming and whipping most home bakers need.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer (KHM512)
Steadier power for stiff cookie dough, and built to last.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
Smart speeds, a light over the bowl and beaters that scrape as they mix.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if you have a stand mixer.
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Complete kit
Almond flour
Blue Diamond Almond Flour
Blanched, finely ground almond flour, the base of every macaron shell.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Blue Diamond Almond Flour
Blanched, finely ground almond flour, the base of every macaron shell.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Blue Diamond Almond Flour
Blanched, finely ground almond flour, the base of every macaron shell.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Complete kit
Silicone spatulas
ChefAide Silicone Spatula Set (5)
Scrapes the bowl clean and folds without knocking out air.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›ChefAide Silicone Spatula Set (5)
Scrapes the bowl clean and folds without knocking out air.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›ChefAide Silicone Spatula Set (5)
Scrapes the bowl clean and folds without knocking out air.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip them if you have one good heat-safe spatula.
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Optional upgrade
Stand mixer
Budget pick: KitchenAid Classic 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer
KitchenAid's simplest tilt-head mixer; plenty for cookies and cakes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Bake
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Essential
Macaron mat
Amazon Basics Macaron Silicone Mat
Printed circles help you pipe every shell the same size.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Amazon Basics Macaron Silicone Mat
Printed circles help you pipe every shell the same size.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Amazon Basics Macaron Silicone Mat
Printed circles help you pipe every shell the same size.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Essential
Half sheet pan
Budget pick: Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan
The heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning and no warping.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan
The heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning and no warping.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: USA Pan Half Sheet Pans (2)
Two ridged, non-stick steel pans that release cookies without parchment.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if you have a heavy, light-colored sheet pan that doesn't warp.
Cool, finish & decorate
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Essential
Piping bags & tips
Budget pick: Piping Bags & Tips Set
Bags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: Piping Bags & Tips Set
Bags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set
Ateco's 55-piece pro set for borders, rosettes and lettering.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Ingredients for this bake (optional)
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Optional ingredient
Gel food colors
AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Optional ingredient
Cream of tartar
McCormick Culinary Cream of Tartar
Steadies whipped egg whites so meringue doesn't collapse.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›McCormick Culinary Cream of Tartar
Steadies whipped egg whites so meringue doesn't collapse.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›McCormick Culinary Cream of Tartar
Steadies whipped egg whites so meringue doesn't collapse.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Optional ingredient
Baking chocolate bar
Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet Baking Bar
Melts smoothly for ganache, brownies and drizzles.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet Baking Bar
Melts smoothly for ganache, brownies and drizzles.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet Baking Bar
Melts smoothly for ganache, brownies and drizzles.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Compare Budget, Our pick and Premium
| Tool | Budget | Our pick | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piping bags & tips | Piping Bags & Tips SetBags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting. | Piping Bags & Tips SetBags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting. | Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating SetAteco's 55-piece pro set for borders, rosettes and lettering. |
| Digital kitchen scale | Etekcity Digital Kitchen ScaleAccurate to the gram for everyday baking, at a low price. | OXO Good Grips 5-lb Scale with Pull-Out DisplayThe pull-out display stays readable under big bowls; tares with one touch. Weighs up to 5 lb. | My Weigh KD-8000 Baker's Math ScaleReads to 0.1 g and has a baker's-percentage mode; built for serious bread bakers. |
| Half sheet pan | Nordic Ware Half Sheet PanThe heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning and no warping. | Nordic Ware Half Sheet PanThe heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning and no warping. | USA Pan Half Sheet Pans (2)Two ridged, non-stick steel pans that release cookies without parchment. |
| Hand mixer | Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand MixerAll the creaming and whipping most home bakers need. | KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer (KHM512)Steadier power for stiff cookie dough, and built to last. | Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand MixerSmart speeds, a light over the bowl and beaters that scrape as they mix. |
| Instant-read thermometer | TempPro 1-Second Instant-Read ThermometerQuick and simple; handles every doneness check. | ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2Reads in 2-3 seconds and shrugs off splashes; from a maker pastry kitchens trust. | ThermoWorks Thermapen ONEReads in one second and lasts for years: the thermometer pros carry. |
| Stand mixer | KitchenAid Classic 4.5-Qt Stand MixerKitchenAid's simplest tilt-head mixer; plenty for cookies and cakes. | KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand MixerThe classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl. | KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand MixerThe classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl. |
As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. Kit picks are chosen by our editors for how well they work, not by commission. Prices and availability are shown on Amazon.
How to use it
- Weigh everything in grams and sift the almond flour with the powdered sugar.
- Pipe straight down over the printed circles, then tap the tray to release air bubbles.
- Rest the shells until a skin forms before baking.
