Christmas Macarons

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Few desserts say “holiday cheer” quite like Christmas macarons. These festive little treats combine the elegance of French patisserie with the nostalgic flavors of the season. Each bite offers a crisp shell and a chewy interior, bursting with peppermint, vanilla, or even spiced cranberry fillings. They’re beautiful to look at, and even more delightful to eat.

Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, building a dessert charcuterie board, or just want to impress guests with homemade sweets, Christmas macarons are your go-to. They’re easier to make than you might think, and once you get the hang of the technique, you’ll be making batches for every celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Macarons Recipe

These Christmas macarons are a showstopper. They’re naturally gluten-free, customizable in both color and flavor, and perfect for gifting. You can tint the shells red and green, add edible glitter for sparkle, or pipe them into fun shapes like ornaments or snowflakes.

They also store well, which means you can make them ahead of time and not stress over last-minute baking. Plus, biting into that airy-yet-chewy texture with a rich buttercream or ganache center? Pure holiday bliss.

What Kind of Almond Flour Should I Use for Macarons?

For perfect macarons, finely ground blanched almond flour is key. It gives your cookies a smooth surface and delicate crumb. Avoid almond meal, which contains almond skins and makes the shells gritty. You can sift your almond flour with powdered sugar to make sure everything is extra fine and clump-free.

Ingredients for the Christmas Macarons

Before we get into the baking process, let’s talk about the ingredients that bring this festive cookie to life. You’ll notice that macarons rely on a few simple items, but each one plays a big role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor.

• Blanched Almond Flour
  Essential for that smooth, chewy base. Make sure it’s finely ground for best results.
• Powdered Sugar
  Adds sweetness and blends with the almond flour for structure.
• Egg Whites
  The foundation of the meringue. Use aged egg whites for better stability.
• Granulated Sugar
  Helps create glossy, stiff meringue peaks.
• Cream of Tartar
  Just a pinch stabilizes the meringue and prevents deflation.
• Gel Food Coloring
  Red and green gels are perfect for a Christmas theme without altering texture.
• Vanilla or Peppermint Extract
  Infuses the shells with holiday flavor.
• Buttercream or Ganache Filling
  The rich, creamy center that ties everything together.

How To Make the Christmas Macarons

Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients

Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together twice. This ensures your shells come out smooth and crack-free.

Step 2: Whip the Meringue

Beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, then gradually sprinkle in the granulated sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. At this point, you can fold in your food coloring and extract.

Step 3: Macaronage

Fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula. Gently mix until the batter flows like lava. When you lift the spatula, it should ribbon back into the bowl and fade after 10-15 seconds.

Step 4: Pipe the Shells

Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe circles onto a lined baking sheet. Tap the sheet to release air bubbles. Let them sit out to dry for 30-60 minutes until the tops are no longer sticky.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake at 300°F for 14-16 minutes. Let the shells cool completely before removing from the parchment paper.

Step 6: Fill and Assemble

Pair similar-sized shells together and pipe your desired filling onto one half. Sandwich them gently.

Serving and Storing Christmas Macarons

These delicate cookies are perfect for holiday dessert tables, cookie boxes, or just as a sweet treat with hot cocoa. This recipe makes about 24 macarons, which is ideal for small gatherings or gifting.

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to a month. Let them come to room temperature before serving to enjoy the full texture and flavor.

What to Serve With Christmas Macarons?

Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream

A cup of cocoa brings out the sweetness in the macarons.

Eggnog Latte

The warm spices of eggnog pair perfectly with peppermint or vanilla flavors.

Mulled Wine

For an adult pairing, serve with a glass of red wine infused with spices and citrus.

Cranberry Brie Bites

The tartness from the cranberries balances out the sweetness of the macarons.

Sugar Cookie Fudge

Keep the festive spirit going with another Christmas classic.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

A salty-sweet snack to round out the dessert spread.

Gingerbread Muffins

A cozy contrast with a spiced, cakey texture.

Pistachio Tart

Nutty and rich, this dessert pairs beautifully with almond-based macarons.

Want More Holiday Cookie Ideas?

If you’re loving these Christmas macarons, you’ll definitely want to check out these other treats that bring something special to your holiday table:

• Cherry-Topped Coconut Macaroons
• Ooey Gooey Bars
• Best Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries
• Old Time Oven Peach Cobbler
• Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go peppermint or vanilla? Did you add a little shimmer or edible gold?

I love seeing how everyone makes these their own. Questions and creative twists are always welcome!

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