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Christmas Macarons

Delightful meringue-based cookies decorated in vibrant colors, filled with rich buttercream and fruit preserves, perfect for the holiday season.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 24 macarons
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French, Holiday
Calories: 75
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Macaron Shells
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 large egg whites (room temperature) Ensure they are at room temperature.
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar Add gradually to egg whites.
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • as needed Red and green gel food coloring (optional) For desired color.
  • as needed Holiday sprinkles (red, green, white) For decoration.
For the Filling
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar For filling.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For filling.
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry or strawberry jam (or other fruit preserves) For a burst of flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour.
  3. In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites on medium speed until frothy, then gradually add granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
  4. Mix in the vanilla extract and if desired, divide the meringue and add food coloring.
  5. Gently fold in the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar until the batter flows in a thick ribbon.
  6. Pipe small circles of the batter onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Let them sit for 20-30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating trays halfway through. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.
Making the Filling
  1. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until silky.
  2. Stir in your choice of fruit jam.
Assembly
  1. Pair macaron shells by size, pipe buttercream onto one shell, dollop fruit jam, and sandwich with another shell.
  2. Dress with festive sprinkles or powdered sugar. Allow to sit for a few hours or overnight.

Notes

Ensure egg whites are at room temperature. Sifting is crucial for smooth shells. Do not skip the resting phase after piping.