When the kitchen fills with the scent of sugar and almonds, you know the holidays have begun. Christmas macarons aren’t just cookies they’re little bites of celebration. These delicate French treats get a festive makeover with holiday colors, cozy flavors, and sparkle that makes every dessert table shine.
Whether you’re preparing gifts for friends, hosting a cookie-swap, or looking for a show-stopping dessert, Christmas macarons capture the magic of the season in every crisp-yet-chewy bite. With endless colors, fillings, and designs, these cookies turn every moment of your holiday baking into something joyful and creative.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Macarons
- Festive & Elegant: Dressed in red, green, and gold, these Christmas macarons are the perfect edible ornaments for your dessert spread.
- Customizable Flavors: From peppermint to almond joy, you can tailor the filling to your holiday theme.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: They store beautifully, letting you prep days before the big celebration.
- Perfect for Gifting: Pack them in pretty boxes with ribbon for the ultimate homemade present.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shells:
- 1 cup (100 g) almond flour
- 1 ¾ cups (200 g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- Gel food coloring (red, green, or gold shimmer)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Filling:
Choose your favorite holiday flavor:
- Peppermint buttercream: butter, powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract
- Almond joy ganache: chocolate chips, coconut cream, almond extract
- Cranberry white chocolate: white chocolate, dried cranberries, cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Sift
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, sift together almond flour and powdered sugar this ensures smooth, shiny Christmas macaron shells.
2. Make the Meringue
Beat egg whites until foamy, then slowly add granulated sugar. Whip until stiff peaks form and the meringue is glossy. Add a drop of gel coloring for that Christmas flair.
3. Macaronage (Folding Stage)
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula until the batter flows like lava. Don’t overmix just enough for it to settle when piped.
4. Pipe the Shells
Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe 1 ½-inch circles onto the lined trays. Tap the trays to release air bubbles.
5. Rest the Shells
Let them sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, until the tops form a skin. This step is key for achieving the perfect macaron “feet.”
6. Bake
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake for 13–15 minutes, rotating halfway through. The shells should lift easily once baked.
7. Fill
Cool completely. Pair up shells of similar size and fill with your chosen holiday buttercream or ganache. Sandwich together gently to complete your Christmas macarons.
8. Mature the Macarons
Refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. The flavors meld and the texture becomes soft yet chewy just the way perfect Christmas macarons should be.
Holiday Flavor Inspiration
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Christmas Macarons – Festive Cookies Filled with Holiday Cheer
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 macarons 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
- These festive Christmas macarons are the perfect blend of elegance and holiday cheer. With crisp shells and cozy fillings like peppermint buttercream and cranberry white chocolate, they’re ideal for gifting or party trays.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring
- Optional fillings: peppermint buttercream, almond joy ganache, cranberry-white-chocolate
Instructions
- Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together.
- Beat egg whites until foamy; slowly add sugar; whip to stiff peaks.
- Add food coloring and vanilla to meringue.
- Fold in dry mix until batter flows like lava.
- Pipe 1.5-inch circles onto lined baking sheets.
- Rest shells 30–60 mins until tops are dry to the touch.
- Bake at 300°F for 13–15 minutes; rotate tray halfway.
- Cool completely; fill with desired holiday filling.
- Refrigerate for 24 hours before serving for best texture.
Notes
- Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.
- Always rest shells to prevent cracking.
- Store filled macarons in fridge up to 5 days.
- Freeze unfilled shells for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minute
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 macarons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
| Theme | Filling Flavor | Decoration Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint Wonderland | Peppermint buttercream | Red shells with crushed candy canes |
| Almond Joy | Coconut-almond ganache | Dip in chocolate drizzle & sprinkle coconut |
| Cranberry Bliss | Cranberry-white-chocolate | Pale pink shells, sugared cranberry on top |
| Hot Cocoa Dream | Chocolate buttercream | Dust with cocoa powder |
| Gingerbread Charm | Spiced cream cheese | Decorate with tiny gingerbread men |
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerator: Keep Christmas macarons in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Unfilled shells freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thawing: Let them sit at room temp for 20 minutes before serving.
- Best texture: Enjoy after at least 24 hours of refrigeration this “maturation” step enhances flavor and chew.
Decorating Ideas
- Brush shells with edible gold dust or shimmer spray.
- Pipe a snowflake design using royal icing.
- Sandwich red and green shells together for a candy-cane look.
- Add crushed peppermint or sparkly sugar around the edges for a frosted finish.
Expert Baking Tips
- Weigh your ingredients precision is everything for Christmas macarons.
- Use aged egg whites for better stability and smoother tops.
- Avoid humidity it prevents the shells from drying properly.
- Rotate trays halfway through baking for even results.
- Resting is key never skip the skin-forming step.
More Christmas Baking Ideas
If you love these Christmas macarons, add them to your festive cookie lineup!
- Almond Joy Cookies – chewy, chocolatey, and coconut-rich.
- Gingerbread Blossoms – a twist on the classic peanut-butter blossom.
- Cranberry Orange Bread – perfect for breakfast or gifting.
- Peppermint Brownie Bites – rich, fudgy, and festive.
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Final Thoughts
Christmas macarons prove that the best holiday gifts come from the kitchen. With their bright colors, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and endless flavor options, they’re a holiday tradition worth starting. Pair your Christmas macarons with cocoa by the fire, or gift them in a snow-dusted box either way, they’ll bring pure seasonal joy and a touch of elegance to your Christmas baking table.