Description
Delicious French macarons shaped and decorated to look like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday baking and gifting. These festive treats feature green buttercream and edible decorations for a fun, seasonal twist on classic macarons.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup almond flour (finely ground)
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- ¼ cup white sugar
- Food coloring: green and brown gel food coloring
- For the Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Green food coloring (for frosting)
- For Decoration:
- Edible gold stars or sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Sift together the confectioners' sugar, almond flour, and ½ teaspoon salt into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Beat egg whites in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add remaining ½ teaspoon salt and white sugar gradually, beating on high until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in the dry ingredients gently until the batter reaches a lava-like consistency. Divide into portions and tint half with green food coloring (for tree trunks with brown if desired, but primarily green).
- Transfer batter to piping bags fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles for the base of trees, adding layers on top for a tree shape. Tap baking sheets on counter to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until the shells have risen and developed 'feet.' Cool completely on the baking sheets.
- For the filling: Beat butter until creamy, then add confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth, adding cream as needed. Tint with green food coloring.
- Pair similar-sized shells and pipe filling on one half, then top with the other. Decorate with gold stars and crushed candy canes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Macarons are best made on a dry day as humidity can affect them. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for longer. Shells can be made a day ahead. Adjust green coloring intensity for vibrant trees.
Nutrition
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 16g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g