Indulging in delightful treats is one of the best parts of the holiday season, and what could be more festive than creating your own Holiday Macarons with a Christmas Tree shape? These macarons not only capture the essence of the season with their vibrant colors and charming decorations but are also surprisingly simple to make at home. With a buttery almond flour texture coupled with a creamy filling, these macarons bring a sweet twist to your holiday dessert table, making them a must-have for your festive gatherings.

With the enticing flavors of cream cheese, vanilla, and the unexpected tartness from fruits like kiwi and red currants, each bite of these macarons is sure to spread holiday cheer. Plus, they can serve not only as a delicious treat but also as a centerpiece for your festive gatherings, showcasing your creativity as a baker. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself and your loved ones, these Holiday Macarons will surely elevate your holiday experience.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Macarons Recipe

Visually Appealing: The vibrant red and green hues create an eye-catching display on any dessert table.
Easy to Customize: You can experiment with different fillings and decorations based on your preferences.
Delicious Flavor Combination: The creamy filling perfectly complements the almond-flavored shells for a delightful treat.
Perfect for Entertaining: Impress your guests with your baking skills while serving a unique dessert.
Fun to Decorate: Personalizing the macarons with fruits and edible gold stars adds a festive touch.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into making these enchanting macarons, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen efficiently. Ensure that your workspace is clean and free from moisture, as macarons are quite sensitive to humidity. Gather all the necessary ingredients and tools before starting — you’ll need a mixing bowl, measuring cups, a whisk or an electric mixer, a piping bag with a round tip, and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. It’s beneficial to use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for ingredients like almond flour and powdered sugar, which can significantly affect the texture if measured inaccurately.

Ingredients

100g almond flour
100g powdered sugar
75g egg whites, room temperature
100g granulated sugar
Red and green food coloring
1 cup cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Kiwi slices, cut into small triangles
Red currants or raspberries
Edible gold stars (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station

First things first, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents your macarons from sticking and helps them retain their shape. As you prepare, sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl to ensure a fine, soft mixture without lumps—a key factor for that smooth macaron surface.

Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites

In another clean, dry mixing bowl, begin beating the egg whites on medium speed until they start to foam. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until you achieve stiff peaks. This could take about 5-7 minutes. The stiff peaks indicate the egg whites have been whipped enough to maintain the structure of the macarons during baking.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Next, gently fold in the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the whipped egg whites, being careful not to deflate the bubbles you’ve just created. Aim for a smooth batter that flows like molten lava—this texture is crucial for achieving the correct macaron consistency. After you have a homogenous mixture, divide it into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, folding gently until fully colored.

Step 4: Pipe the Macarons

Transfer each colored batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. On the prepared baking sheet, pipe small circles, about 1.5 inches in diameter, leaving enough space between each macaroon. Take a moment to tap the baking sheet against the countertop to release any air bubbles that may be trapped in your batter. This step is vital to ensure smooth tops on your macarons.

Step 5: Rest and Bake

Now, let the piped macarons rest for about 30 minutes at room temperature. This resting period allows a dry skin to form on the surface, which helps them rise beautifully during baking. After this, place the macarons in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. For even baking, rotate the tray halfway through. Allow the macarons to cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

While the shells are cooling, it’s time to make the delicious cream cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy—this rich filling will be the perfect contrast to the delicate macaron shells.

Step 7: Assemble the Macarons

Once the macaron shells are cool, match them in pairs that are closest in size. Pipe a dollop of the cream cheese filling on the flat side of one shell, and then stack another shell on top, alternating colors for a festive look. Now, it’s time to bring your macarons to life by decorating the tops; place kiwi slices on top, adding red currants or raspberries for a pop of color, and finish with a sprinkle of edible gold stars for that extra holiday sparkle!

Variations

Protein: Consider experimenting with flavored cream cheese or adding a hint of citrus zest for an added zing.
Vegetables: For a healthier twist, replace some of the filling with avocado or a cream cheese avocado blend.
Spices: Add warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to your filling to bring in traditional holiday flavors.

Cooking Notes

Humidity can affect the success of your macarons, so choose a dry day to bake.
Don’t skip the resting step—it’s essential for preventing cracked tops.
Feel free to freeze the unfilled shells; they can be stored in an airtight container for a month and filled when ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve macaron towers at the center of your holiday table for a stunning effect.
Pair with a warm cup of cocoa or a festive holiday punch for a perfect treat.

Tips

Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements—precision is key to baking perfect macarons.
Experiment with different shapes and sizes for fun variations of your holiday macarons.
Always ensure all your equipment is clean and grease-free for successful macaron making.

Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling)

Nutritional Information

Calories: Approximately 80 per macaron
Protein: 2g
Sodium: 50mg

FAQs

Can I make macarons in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the shells in advance and store them in an airtight container for up to a month. Just fill the macarons on the day you plan to serve them for the best taste and texture.

What can I substitute for almond flour?

If you have nut allergies, you can use sunflower seed flour as an alternative, though the color may turn green due to a reaction with baking soda, but it will still taste great!

Why did my macarons crack?

Cracked macarons are usually a result of too much moisture or not enough resting time before baking. Ensure proper conditions for the perfect shells!

Can I use other fillings besides cream cheese?

Absolutely! You can use ganache, buttercream, or even fruit preserves for a different flavor profile.

Conclusion

Creating these charming Holiday Macarons might become a new holiday tradition in your home. Their delightful colors, paired with a rich cream cheese filling and a burst of fresh fruit on top, make them the perfect festive treat. Not only will they please the taste buds of your guests, but they will also serve as a visual centerpiece for your holiday celebrations. So dive into the magic of baking this season, and don’t forget to share your creations and variations with family and friends. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!