Highlight
These Christmas Tree Cake Macarons bring a festive twist to classic French macarons by incorporating holiday-themed flavors and decorations. They are perfect for gifting, party treats, or simply adding a bit of holiday cheer to your dessert table. The delicate almond-based shells paired with a rich, buttery filling infused with crumbled Christmas Tree Cakes create a wonderful blend of texture and flavor that feels both sophisticated and fun.
I first made these at a Christmas bake-off, and their charm stole the show. Now they are my go-to for holiday gatherings, and everyone always asks for the recipe.
Gather Your Ingredients
- Powdered sugar: essential for smooth macarons and sweet filling
- Almond flour: finely ground and blanched for that classic macaron texture
- Egg whites: must be at room temperature to create stable meringue
- Granulated sugar: adds sweetness and stabilizes the meringue
- Cream of tartar: helps stabilize egg whites and achieve stiff peaks
- Green gel food coloring: provides vibrant color without affecting batter consistency
- Unsalted butter: softened for creamy filling
- Vanilla extract: adds warm flavor to the buttercream
- Heavy cream: creates lightness and richness in the filling
- Crumbled snack cakes (such as Christmas Tree Cakes): adds festive flavor and texture to the filling
- Pinch of salt: balances sweetness
- White chocolate: melts and drizzles effortlessly for decoration
- Red and green sprinkles and edible gold stars: bring Christmas spirit to the finished macarons
How to Make It
- Prepare the Macaron Batter:
- Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour twice to make sure the mixture is free of lumps and the shells will be smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy, add cream of tartar, then gradually add granulated sugar while beating to stiff peaks that hold their shape firmly. Add green gel food coloring and fold in the almond flour mixture with gentle motions just until the batter flows like lava. Overmixing will cause flat shells.
- Pipe the Macarons:
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip or shaped tip if you want to pipe tree forms. Pipe tree shapes or circles on parchment-lined baking sheets. Tap the trays several times on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles that cause hollows or cracks. Let the shells rest at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes until a smooth skin forms; this is crucial to get the iconic shiny top.
- Bake the Shells:
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (about 150 degrees Celsius). Bake one tray at a time in the middle of the oven for 14 to 16 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through for even cooking. After baking, cool completely on the mats before removing to prevent breaking.
- Make the Filling:
- Beat unsalted butter until fluffy and pale. Add powdered sugar gradually followed by vanilla extract, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Finally fold in finely crumbled Christmas Tree Cakes to add texture and holiday flavor to the creamy filling. Transfer filling into a piping bag for easy assembly.
- Assemble the Macarons:
- Pick similar-sized shells and pipe a generous amount of filling onto one shell. Gently sandwich with the matching shell pressing slightly to spread filling evenly. Refrigerate on a tray in an airtight container.
- Decorate:
- Drizzle melted white chocolate lightly over the finished macarons using a spoon or piping bag. While the chocolate is still wet, add red and green sprinkles and an edible gold star on top for a festive effect.
- Mature for Best Flavor:
- Place the filled and decorated macarons in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to let the flavors mature and develop fully. This resting period will improve texture and taste markedly.
The finely crumbled Christmas Tree Cake in the filling takes this macarons recipe beyond ordinary buttercream giving a unique surprise bite that reminds me of cozy holiday mornings. I still recall the smile on my child’s face the first time they bit into one with the crunchy cake bits hidden inside.
Flavor Boosters
These macarons pair beautifully with a cup of rich hot cocoa or a glass of sparkling wine during holiday parties. Place them on a festive platter alongside other seasonal cookies to wow guests. They also make wonderful edible gifts when wrapped in cellophane tied with ribbon.
Serving Suggestions
Try switching the gel food coloring to red or gold for other holiday themes like Valentine’s or New Year’s. The crumbed cake filling can be swapped out for pumpkin spice or gingerbread crumbs to enhance warmth and festive vibes during autumn and winter.
Creative Twists
Macarons have a long-standing tradition in French patisserie known for elegance and delicacy. This Christmas Tree Cake Macaron adapts the classic by blending American holiday flavors and festive shapes, creating a cross-cultural celebration treat that bridges French technique and nostalgic tastes.
A truly festive bake that delights every time, these macarons bring holiday cheer in every bite.
Common Questions About the Recipe
- → What gives the macarons their green color?
Green gel food coloring is gently folded into the batter to create the festive tree color without altering texture.
- → How do I achieve the perfect macaron shell texture?
Sifting dry ingredients and resting piped shells before baking helps form a smooth skin and crisp shells with chewy centers.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes, refrigerate assembled macarons in an airtight container for 24 hours to develop flavor and improve texture.
- → What is the role of the crumbled cake in the filling?
Crumbled Christmas Tree Cakes add moistness and subtle texture contrast within the creamy butter filling.
- → How should the macarons be stored after baking?
Keep them refrigerated in a sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.