The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in delightful treats that not only tickle your taste buds but also brighten your Instagram feed. These 12 festive Christmas macaron recipes are designed to impress, combining classic flavors with seasonal flair. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking to have some festive fun, these marvelous macarons will add a touch of elegance to your celebrations.
1. Peppermint Mocha Macarons
Decadent chocolate and festive peppermint come together in these stunning macarons.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate ganache
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- Crushed peppermint candies for topping
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whisk egg whites until foamy, then gradually add granulated sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in almond flour and powdered sugar mixture until combined. Pipe the batter into rounds and sprinkle with crushed candies.
- Bake for 20 minutes, cool, and fill with chocolate ganache mixed with peppermint extract.
Make it Unique:
Add a sprinkle of cocoa powder to the shells for an extra chocolatey touch!
2. Eggnog Macarons
Bring the holiday spirit to your taste buds with these creamy eggnog delights.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup eggnog
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of nutmeg
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until frothy and add granulated sugar gradually, whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in almond flour and powdered sugar. Pipe onto baking sheet and let sit for 30 minutes before baking for 20 minutes.
- Fill with a mixture of eggnog and vanilla and garnish with nutmeg.
Make it Unique:
For extra flavor, fold in a bit of rum extract into the filling!
3. Gingerbread Macarons
Sweet and spiced, these macarons capture the essence of gingerbread cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Gingerbread frosting for filling
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip the egg whites until foamy and add sugar, whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Mix almond flour, powdered sugar, ginger, and cinnamon; fold into meringue. Pipe rounds and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool and fill with gingerbread frosting.
Make it Unique:
Add a hint of clove for an extra warm spice flavor!
4. Cranberry Orange Macarons
Zesty and sweet, these macarons are a refreshing twist on a holiday classic.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cranberry-orange buttercream
- Zest of one orange
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until frothy, then add sugar while beating until stiff.
- Combine almond flour, powdered sugar, and orange zest. Fold into egg mixture and pipe onto sheets. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Fill with cranberry-orange buttercream.
Make it Unique:
Swap the buttercream for a light cream cheese frosting for added tang!
5. Chocolate Peppermint Macarons
Indulge your sweet tooth with these rich chocolate macarons infused with cool peppermint.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate ganache
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Beat egg whites until foamy, gradually adding sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in almond flour and powdered sugar. Pipe onto sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool, then fill with ganache mixed with peppermint extract.
Make it Unique:
Top with whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat!
6. Vanilla Bean Macarons with Pomegranate
These macarons offer a classic taste with a burst of tart sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vanilla bean buttercream
- Pomegranate arils for garnish
Process:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until foamy, then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Combine almond flour and powdered sugar, then fold into the meringue. Pipe onto baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool and fill with vanilla buttercream, topped with pomegranate arils.
Make it Unique:
Mix in a teaspoon of lemon zest for a citrusy twist!
7. Snowy Coconut Macarons
Light and chewy, these macarons capture the essence of coconut bliss.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut buttercream
- Shredded coconut for garnish
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whisk egg whites until foamy, then add sugar slowly until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in almond flour and powdered sugar. Pipe onto sheets, and sprinkle with shredded coconut.
- Bake for 20 minutes, cool, and fill with coconut buttercream.
Make it Unique:
Add a splash of coconut rum for an island twist!
8. Matcha White Chocolate Macarons
A unique flavor combo that combines earthy matcha and creamy sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup white chocolate ganache
- 1-2 tsp matcha powder
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until soft, then add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Mix almond flour, powdered sugar, and matcha. Fold into egg whites and pipe onto baking sheets.
- Bake for 20 minutes, cool, and fill with white chocolate ganache.
Make it Unique:
Top with crushed pistachios for added crunch!
9. Red Velvet Macarons
Classically rich and indulgent, these macarons mimic beloved red velvet cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Beat egg whites until foamy, then add granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Combine almond flour, cocoa, and powdered sugar and fold into egg mixture. Pipe onto sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool and fill with cream cheese frosting.
Make it Unique:
Try a chocolate ganache filling for an extra chocolatey surprise!
10. Almond Joy Macarons
These macarons combine almond and coconut for a delightful tropical flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut cream filling
- Chocolate ganache for coating
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until foamy, then add sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in the almond flour and powdered sugar. Pipe onto sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool, fill with coconut cream, and dip in chocolate ganache.
Make it Unique:
Replace coconut with a layer of caramel for a different treat!
11. Holiday Spiced Macarons
Savor the warm spices of the holiday season in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice mix
- Maple buttercream for filling
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whisk egg whites until foamy, then add granulated sugar, whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in almond flour, powdered sugar, and pumpkin spice. Pipe onto sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool and fill with maple buttercream.
Make it Unique:
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for added sweetness!
12. Vanilla Peppermint Swirl Macarons
These visually stunning macarons are a treat for both the eyes and palate.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vanilla peppermint frosting
Process:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Whip egg whites until foamy, then gradually add sugar and whip to stiff peaks.
- Fold in almond flour and powdered sugar. Divide batter, coloring half red and half green and twist together to pipe.
- Bake for 20 minutes, cool, and fill with frosting.
Make it Unique:
Add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top for extra crunch!
There you have it! These 12 festive Christmas macaron recipes are waiting for you to whisk them into existence. They promise to bring delightful flavors and eye-catching aesthetics to your holiday gatherings. So roll up your sleeves and get baking—your taste buds (and Instagram followers) will thank you!