The holiday season brings a lot of joy, especially when it involves baking. These Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are the perfect festive treat that’s both beautiful and delicious. With their soft and creamy filling, they’re sure to delight everyone. Whether for a holiday party or a cozy family gathering, these treats will add a touch of magic to your celebrations.
Why You Will Love This Treat
These macarons are a fun spin on classic holiday desserts. They’re not only tasty but also quite easy to make. You’ll need simple ingredients that you likely already have. Plus, they’re perfect for getting the family involved. Everyone can join in on the decorating fun!
How to Make Macarons
Making these macarons involves a few straightforward steps. First, you’ll prepare the macaron batter, then pipe it onto baking sheets. After baking, you’ll whip up the filling and assemble the macarons. Don’t worry if it’s your first time making them; it’s simpler than it sounds!
What You Need
- 1 3/4 cups (175g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour (finely ground, blanched)
- 3 large egg whites (about 90g), room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Green gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) powdered sugar (for filling)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (85g) finely crumbled snack cakes (Christmas Tree Cakes or similar)
- Pinch of salt (for filling)
- White chocolate drizzle (for decoration)
- Red and green sprinkles (for decoration)
- Edible gold stars (optional, for decoration)
Step-by-Step
- Prepare the Macaron Batter: Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together twice. Beat egg whites until foamy, add cream of tartar, then gradually add granulated sugar and beat to stiff peaks. Mix in green food coloring. Gently fold in almond flour mixture until batter flows like lava.
- Pipe the Macarons: Transfer batter to a piping bag and pipe tree shapes or circles onto lined baking sheets. Tap trays to remove air bubbles and rest for 30–60 minutes until a skin forms.
- Bake the Shells: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake one tray at a time for 14–16 minutes, rotating halfway. Cool completely before removing from mats.
- Make the Filling: Beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt. Fold in crumbled snack cakes. Transfer to a piping bag.
- Assemble the Macarons: Pair similar-sized shells, pipe filling on one, and sandwich with another.
- Decorate: Drizzle with white chocolate, add sprinkles, and place gold star on top if desired.
- Mature for Best Flavor: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 24 hours before serving.
How to Serve These Delights
Serve these macarons on a festive platter during your holiday celebrations. They make a charming centerpiece when displayed with other treats. You can also pair them with warm drinks like cocoa or coffee for a cozy snack. They’re perfect for gifting too!
How to Store These Sweet Treats
To keep your macarons fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last a few days this way. For longer storage, consider freezing them. Just remember to let them defrost in the fridge before serving to keep their texture lovely.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to let the batter sit and form a skin before baking; this helps achieve the right texture.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, as macarons can be sensitive to slight changes.
- If the filling is too soft, chill it a bit to make it easier to pipe.
- Experiment with the colors and decorations to match your holiday theme.
- Be gentle when folding the batter; overmixing can affect the final texture.
Variations & Swaps
- For a chocolate version, replace some almond flour with cocoa powder.
- Use different gel food colors for a rainbow of festive macarons.
- Swap out the snack cakes for crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing twist.
- Make a dairy-free filling using coconut cream instead of butter.
- Adapt the décor with seasonal sprinkles or themed chocolates for different holidays.
FAQs
Can I make these macarons ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the shells and filling a day or two in advance. Just keep them stored separately in the fridge. Assemble them on the day you plan to serve them for the best texture.
Can I freeze the macarons?
Absolutely! To freeze, place the assembled macarons in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw them in the fridge before you enjoy them for the best results.
What if my macarons crack while baking?
Cracks can happen for a few reasons. Make sure not to overmix or under-mix your batter. Additionally, ensure you let the shells rest properly before baking.
Can I substitute the almond flour?
You can use other nut flours, but almond flour gives the best texture for macarons. If you need a nut-free option, try sunflower seed flour.
What should I do if my macarons are too soft?
If your macarons turn out too soft, it could be due to too much moisture. Next time, let them rest longer before baking, and ensure your egg whites are at room temperature for best results.
Christmas Tree Cake Macarons
Ingredients
Macaron Shells
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup almond flour, finely ground, blanched
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Green gel food coloring
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup finely crumbled snack cakes (Christmas Tree Cakes or similar)
- 1 pinch salt for filling
Decoration
- White chocolate drizzle for decoration
- Red and green sprinkles for decoration
- Edible gold stars optional, for decoration
Instructions
Prepare the Macaron Batter
- Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together twice.
- Beat egg whites until foamy, add cream of tartar, then gradually add granulated sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
- Mix in green food coloring.
- Gently fold in almond flour mixture until batter flows like lava.
Pipe the Macarons
- Transfer batter to a piping bag and pipe tree shapes or circles onto lined baking sheets.
- Tap trays to remove air bubbles and rest for 30–60 minutes until a skin forms.
Bake the Shells
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Bake one tray at a time for 14–16 minutes, rotating halfway.
- Cool completely before removing from mats.
Make the Filling
- Beat butter until fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt.
- Fold in crumbled snack cakes.
- Transfer to a piping bag.
Assemble the Macarons
- Pair similar-sized shells, pipe filling on one, and sandwich with another.
Decorate
- Drizzle with white chocolate, add sprinkles, and place gold star on top if desired.
Mature for Best Flavor
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for 24 hours before serving.
