Prep Time: ~45 minutes
Bake Time: ~12–14 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: ~24 macarons
Introduction
Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are festive French cookies with crisp, delicate shells and soft, chewy centers — decorated to resemble holiday trees. Filled with a rich buttercream or ganache and adorned with colorful sprinkles or candies, these macarons bring elegance and festive flair to any holiday dessert table.
Why These Macarons Are So Popular
Macarons are beloved for their light, airy texture and delightful flavor. This holiday version adds visual fun with seasonal colors and toppings, making them perfect for Christmas parties, gifting, or dessert trays. Their creamy filling and beautiful presentation make every bite special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Macaron Shells
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup almond flour
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Green gel food coloring
For the Filling
- Buttercream or chocolate ganache
- Optional: sprinkles, edible glitter, mini candies for decoration
The Art of Christmas Tree Cake Macarons
Great macarons begin with properly whipped egg whites and precise folding of dry ingredients into the meringue. Piping consistent rounds ensures even baking. After baking and cooling, assemble shells with your chosen filling and decorate to resemble decorative Christmas trees with sprinkles and candies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Dry Ingredients
Sift powdered sugar and almond flour into a bowl.
Discard any large bits.
2. Whip Egg Whites
Beat egg whites in a clean bowl until foamy.
Add granulated sugar gradually while beating to stiff peaks.
Mix in green gel food coloring until evenly colored.
3. Fold in Dry Ingredients
Gently fold the sifted dry mixture into the whipped egg whites until the batter forms thick ribbons that fall slowly from the spatula.
4. Pipe the Shells
Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip and pipe small circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
5. Rest the Shells
Let the piped shells rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes until a skin forms.
6. Bake
Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 12–14 minutes.
Allow the shells to cool completely before filling.
7. Prepare the Filling
Make your buttercream or ganache and place it in a piping bag.
8. Assemble Macarons
Match shells by size and pipe filling onto one shell, then sandwich with another.
9. Decorate
Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini candies to decorate like Christmas trees.
Tips for Best Results
- Use aged egg whites for more stable meringue.
- Tap baking sheets to release air bubbles before resting.
- Ensure shells rest until they form a firm skin for better feet.
- Match shell sizes for neat sandwich cookies.
Creative Variations
- Peppermint Cocoa: add peppermint extract and mini candy canes.
- Chocolate Drizzle: drizzle melted chocolate over finished macarons.
- Gold Sparkle: add edible gold dust for a luxury finish.
- Red & Green Swirl: pipe red and green batter together for extra festivity.
- Citrus Twist: add orange zest to the filling for bright flavor.
Storage & Freshness
Store macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freeze assembled macarons for up to 1 month; thaw before eating.
Conclusion
Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are elegant, festive, and delightfully delicious. With crisp shells, creamy filling, and cheerful decorations, they’re a standout dessert for the holidays and make any celebration sweeter.
