If you’re craving a sweet, fruity treat to pair with delicate almond shells, this Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe is just the ticket. Perfect for brightening up your macarons with fresh strawberry flavor, this filling is easy to make whether it’s strawberry season or not, thanks to the option of using frozen berries. I love how it adds a vibrant, lightly tart note that balances beautifully with the buttery shells, making your macarons feel like a little jewel every time you bite into them.

Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe - Recipe Image — Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling, homemade macaron filling, strawberry filled macarons, easy macaron filling recipe, fruit-flavored macaron filling

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Why You’ll Love This
Ingredient Snapshot
How to Make Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe
Smart Little Tips
Serving Ideas
Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Print Recipe

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Why You’ll Love This

Making your own macaron filling might sound intimidating, but this recipe breaks it down with simple steps and few ingredients. The fresh strawberry flavor shines through, adding brightness without being overly sweet.

Reliable Texture, Great Flavor: You’ll get a jam that sets just right for piping inside macarons—spreadable but firm enough to hold.
Crisp–Golden Finish: Paired with crisp shells, the balance of textures elevates every bite to pastry perfection.
Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here; common kitchen staples come together to create something special.
Weeknight Easy, Weekend Worthy: Takes about an hour with hands-off simmering time, so you can fit making this in during a relaxed evening or prep ahead for a special occasion.

Ingredient Snapshot

Choosing fresh, ripe strawberries will make your jam sing, but frozen can work beautifully too—as long as you thaw and drain extra liquid. The balance of sugar and lemon juice is key for preserving sweetness while adding depth and helping the jam set perfectly for macaron filling.

Strawberries: Fresh and fragrant if possible, hulled and roughly chopped for even cooking and texture.
Granulated sugar: Standard white sugar dissolves well and sweeps in just enough sweetness without overpowering.
Apple juice: Adds mild fruitiness and thins the mixture gently for perfect stovetop simmering without extra acidity.
Lemon juice: Brightens flavor and balances sweetness; also helps jam set with natural pectin.

Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.

How to Make Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe

Step 1 — Set Up & Season

Start by combining your hulled, roughly chopped strawberries with sugar, apple juice, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. I find using a medium-sized pot gives enough room to stir and whisk without spillage. Place it over medium-high heat and gently bring the mixture to a boil, stirring now and then so the sugar dissolves evenly and the flavors meld. You’ll notice a bright, fruity aroma filling your kitchen as the berries release their juices—it’s a good sign you’re on track.

Step 2 — Simmer to Thicken

Once your mixture boils, lower the heat to medium to keep a steady simmer. Keep stirring frequently—jam can scorch quickly if left unattended at this stage. About 20-25 minutes in, the liquid should noticeably thicken, and the strawberries will break down beautifully. To test doneness, I like to use the chilled plate trick. Drop a small spoonful on a cold plate from the fridge; if it firms up without spreading, it’s time to pull the pan off the heat.

Step 3 — Finish for Best Texture

Transfer your hot jam into a small bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This cooling helps the filling set into the perfect consistency for your macarons—firm enough to hold inside the delicate shells but soft and luscious when you bite in. I’ve found rushing this step leads to runnier filling that can make your macarons soggy, so patience really pays off here.

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Smart Little Tips

From my kitchen to yours, here’s what helped me nail this filling every time—no surprises, just delicious results.

Doneness Cue: Use the chilled plate test—it’s the foolproof way to know your jam has thickened perfectly.
Temperature Trick: Let your jam cool completely before using; warm jam can break your macaron shells or make them soggy.
Make-Ahead Move: You can prepare this filling up to 3 days in advance, covered in the fridge, which is a huge time saver.
Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t skip stirring during simmering—you’ll prevent burning and get even cooking every time.

Serving Ideas

Finishing Touches

For the final assembly, I love piping a thin ring of lightly whipped buttercream or silky ganache around the macaron shell’s edge before dolloping in about half a teaspoon of this strawberry jam. The jam stays neatly in the center, ensuring you get a burst of fresh jam flavor in every bite without it oozing out. This combination also adds a smooth richness that perfectly complements the slightly tart jam.

Pair It With

Besides the classic vanilla or almond shells, try pairing your strawberry jam macarons with lemon-flavored buttercream or even a light white chocolate ganache. The tartness of lemon or sweetness of chocolate balances the jam’s vibrancy, providing a sophisticated flavor profile that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Easy Plating Upgrades

Dust your finished macarons with a little powdered sugar or edible glitter for a festive touch. Plating them on a pastel-colored dish or alongside fresh strawberries amps up the visual appeal without extra fuss—perfect for a tea party or simple at-home indulgence.

Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat

Storing Leftovers

Keep your strawberry jam filling in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to a week. You might notice it become slightly thicker as it chills, which makes it even easier to pipe into macarons later.

Freezing Tips

This jam freezes well if stored properly in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it slowly in the fridge overnight before use to preserve texture and flavor. When thawed, give it a gentle stir to restore smoothness before filling your macarons.

Reheating Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe Without Drying Out

If your strawberry jam filling becomes too firm in the fridge or freezer, gently warm it in short bursts in the microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring between, to soften without overheating. Avoid boiling, as excess heat can alter the texture. You can also set the jar over a warm water bath for a gentler temperature boost, keeping moisture balanced and fresh flavor intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work well—just thaw and drain any excess liquid before cooking to avoid a watery jam.

How do I know when the jam is ready for macaron filling?

The chilled plate test is your best bet. If the jam firms up and doesn’t run on the cold plate, it’s perfectly thick for piping.

Can I store this jam filling at room temperature?

Because it contains fresh fruit and no preservatives, it’s safest stored in the fridge to maintain texture and prevent spoilage.

Is this Strawberry Jam Macaron Filling Recipe suitable for vegan macarons?

Yes, the jam itself is vegan-friendly. Just be sure to pair it with a vegan-friendly shell and buttercream or ganache if you want the whole macaron to be vegan.

Final Thoughts

Making your own strawberry jam for macarons may sound tricky at first, but once you get that perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and firmness, it becomes a signature touch to your baking repertoire. I’ve found that a little patience during simmering and cooling truly elevates these little pastries from good to unforgettable. So, grab your freshest berries and enjoy the satisfaction of homemade filling that tastes like the heart of summer, all year long.

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