While working on emoji Easter eggs, I stopped by Bottega Louie and noticed a case of bright yellow macarons that begged to become emojis. I couldn’t resist turning them into a playful batch of classic emoji faces. With no taco emoji in sight, at least these familiar expressions made the cut.
Supplies:
- Yellow macarons (these were lemon-flavored and delicious)
- Food decorator pens in black, red, blue, and pink
- Frosting or royal icing (optional — useful for certain details)
Instructions and tips:
Basic faces are easiest with a black food decorator pen. Draw the eyes, mouths, and outlines first, then fill in darker areas as needed. For heart eyes, the red pen shows up well against yellow—draw and fill the heart shapes directly.
White eye details: For crisp white eyes I sacrificed a macaron shell, used the filling on a clean food-safe paintbrush, and painted small white circles where needed. Once dry, I added the black pupils with the food pen.
Blue tears and pink tongue: Food pens work fine, but colors can look slightly different on a yellow surface. For truer colors, paint the detail with a thin layer of royal icing and let it set; then trace or enhance with food pens for sharper edges and deeper color.
If you want an order for drawing features, follow a simple sequence: outline shapes first, add large color blocks next (white eyes, red hearts), then finish with smaller details and shading using the black pen.
Photos by Studio DIY
I usually leave macaron baking to my friend Ashley, but these were too fun to pass up. Serve and enjoy them at a party, or display them with emoji balloons for a cheerful touch.