Description
Bring a little holiday cheer into your kitchen with these charming Christmas Tree Cake Macarons! They’re festive, flavorful, and just the right blend of cute and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the shells:
- 1 3/4 cups (175g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (100g) finely ground, blanched almond flour
- 3 large egg whites (about 90g), room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Green gel food coloring
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (85g) crumbled snack cakes (like Christmas Tree Cakes)
- Pinch of salt
For decorating:
- White chocolate drizzle
- Red and green sprinkles
- Edible gold stars (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Macaron Batter: Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together twice to remove any lumps. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until they begin to foam. Add the cream of tartar, then slowly sprinkle in the granulated sugar while beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Tint the meringue with green gel coloring. Gently fold in the dry mixture until the batter flows smoothly and slowly, similar to thick lava.
- Pipe the Macarons: Scoop the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe Christmas tree shapes—or simple circles—onto parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheets. Tap the trays firmly on the counter to release trapped air. Allow the piped batter to rest for 30–60 minutes, or until the surface feels dry to the touch.
- Bake the Shells: Heat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake one tray at a time for 14–16 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through. Let the shells cool completely before peeling them off the lining.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt, whipping until smooth and fluffy. Stir in the crumbled snack cakes. Place the filling into a piping bag.
- Assemble: Match shells in pairs. Pipe a swirl of filling onto one shell and gently press the second shell on top to complete the macaron.
- Decorate: Drizzle the tops with melted white chocolate, sprinkle on the festive red and green sprinkles, and add a gold star if you want extra sparkle.
- Rest for Best Flavor: Place the finished macarons in an airtight container and refrigerate for 24 hours. This resting time allows the shells to soften slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Room temperature egg whites whip more quickly and create a stronger meringue.
- Letting the piped batter sit before baking helps develop smooth shells and prevents cracking.
- Customize the colors and decorations to match any holiday theme you love.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg