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Festive Christmas Macarons

Delightful holiday macarons with a balance of crispy shells and luscious filling, perfect for festive gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 24 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French, Holiday
Calories: 100
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Macaron Shell Ingredients
  • 1.75 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup almond flour Ground to perfection.
  • 3 large egg whites Room temperature.
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar Add during whipping.
  • 0.25 tsp vanilla extract Or peppermint extract, based on preference.
  • 1 tbsp red and green food coloring Optional for visual appeal.
Filling Ingredients
  • 0.5 cups butter Softened.
  • 1 cup powdered sugar For the filling.
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder Or substitute with white chocolate for a different filling.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract For filling.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour until finely blended.
  3. In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form, gradually adding granulated sugar until stiff peaks are achieved.
  4. Gently fold the almond flour mixture and your choice of extract into the whipped egg whites, adding food coloring if desired.
Baking
  1. Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
  2. Tap the baking sheets to release air bubbles and let the macarons sit for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until they develop a smooth surface with a little foot at the base, then let them cool completely.
Filling and Assembly
  1. Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and cocoa powder (or white chocolate), adding vanilla extract once smooth.
  2. Match macaron shells by size, pipe the filling onto one flat side of a shell, then sandwich with its mate.
  3. Let the assembled macarons chill for a few hours or overnight in the fridge before serving.

Notes

For better stability, age egg whites in the fridge for a day or two. Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues. Store assembled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.