Description
Festive Christmas Macarons – vibrant red, green, and white almond cookies filled with creamy buttercream and decorated for the holidays. These elegant treats are perfect for parties, gifting, or adding a festive touch to your dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Red and green gel food coloring (optional)
For the Buttercream Filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency)
- Red and green gel food coloring (optional)
For Decoration:
- Royal icing (for snowflake and holly designs)
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour to ensure smooth shells.
- Whip egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, beat to soft peaks, then slowly add granulated sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Fold dry ingredients into whipped egg whites until the batter flows like lava. Add food coloring if desired.
- Pipe circles onto prepared sheets, tap to release air bubbles, and let rest for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating halfway. Cool completely before removing.
- For the buttercream, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. Divide and color as needed.
- Assemble macarons by sandwiching buttercream between shells. Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Letting the macaron shells rest is crucial to prevent cracking during baking.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering batter consistency.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze unfilled shells for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg