Filling for macarons or thumbprint cookies
This is a sweet, thick filling, most commonly a fruit jam, curd, or ganache, used to sandwich delicate macarons or fill the center of buttery thumbprint cookies. Typical ingredients include fruit purées, sugar, butter, eggs, or chocolate, depending on the specific recipe. While the concept of filled cookies is universal, the precise, smooth fillings for French macarons and the rustic jams for thumbprint cookies have distinct European origins.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This filling is typically very high in carbohydrates, primarily from sugar, and can also be high in fat if it's a butter-based curd or chocolate ganache. It provides quick energy from sugars and, depending on the type, may offer some vitamins from fruit or fat-soluble vitamins from butter and eggs. A single tablespoon serving can range from 50 to 100 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 70 kcal |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Carbs | 14 g |
| Fat | 1.5 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Potassium | 30 mg |
| Vitamin A | 15 µg RAE |
| Calcium | 5 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg |
Per 1 tablespoon (20 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The filling is the essential flavor and textural counterpoint to the cookie itself; a perfect macaron or thumbprint is defined by the balance between the crisp/chewy shell and the soft, flavorful center. Nutritionally, while often seen as an indulgence, fruit-based fillings can contribute small amounts of antioxidants and fiber.
