If you’re looking to wow your friends and family this holiday season with something both charming and delicious, this Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delightful little almond cookies are perfectly crisp on the outside and tender within, filled with a buttery, crumb-studded frosting that pays homage to your favorite Christmas Tree Snack Cakes. Dressed in beautiful forest green hues and topped with sprinkles that mimic holiday ornaments, these macarons bring joy to any dessert table and add an enchanting touch to your festive celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, coming together in a simple yet magical way to create the classic French cookie with a holiday twist. From the almond flour that gives the shells their signature texture to the vibrant green food coloring that makes them festive, each component brings something special to your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup for shells, 1 cup for filling): Ensures sweetness and smooth texture in both shells and filling.
- Almond flour (3/4 cup): Provides the key nutty flavor and fine texture critical to perfect macaron shells.
- Egg whites (2 large, room temperature): Create the meringue base that gives macarons their delicate, airy structure.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Stabilizes the egg whites while adding sweetness.
- Cream of tartar (1/4 tsp): Helps stabilize and strengthen the egg white foam for perfect peaks.
- Green gel food coloring: Gives the shells their festive, vibrant color without altering texture.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Creates a creamy and rich filling base.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warmth and depth to the filling flavor.
- Heavy cream (1 tbsp): Lightens the filling and ensures it pipes smoothly.
- Almond extract (1/4 tsp, optional): Enhances the nutty theme if you want a flavor boost.
- Crumbled Christmas Tree Snack Cakes (2 tbsp): Adds a festive crunch and unmistakable holiday flavor to the filling.
- Red and green or star-shaped sprinkles: Decorative finishing touches that mimic holiday ornaments on each macaron.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Macaron Shells
Start by lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to ensure a smooth baking surface. Sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour to create a fine, uniform base—any bits left behind can lead to an uneven texture, so discard them. Using a clean bowl, beat your egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy and soft peaks begin to form.
Step 2: Making the Meringue
Gradually add granulated sugar to the egg whites, continuing to beat until you achieve stiff, glossy peaks that shine—that’s the hallmark of a perfect meringue. Now carefully add the green gel food coloring; folding it gently ensures the vibrant color is evenly distributed without deflating your airy mixture.
Step 3: Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients
Next, fold your sifted dry ingredients into the meringue in gentle, sweeping motions. The key here is patience and a feather-light touch—mix until the batter flows thickly off your spatula and passes the classic “figure-8” test, meaning it can form an 8 shape without breaking. This means your batter has the ideal consistency.
Step 4: Piping and Resting the Shells
Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip, then pipe 1.5-inch circles onto your prepared sheets, spacing them with room to breathe. Tap the trays firmly against your countertop to release any air bubbles, which helps keep the shells perfectly smooth. Let your piped rounds rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until their surfaces feel dry to the touch.
Step 5: Baking and Cooling
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), then bake your macarons for 14 to 16 minutes, rotating the trays halfway to ensure even cooking. Once baked, allow the shells to cool completely before gently peeling them off the paper—this prevents any breaking and keeps them beautifully intact.
Step 6: Preparing the Filling
In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and fluffy. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, optional almond extract, and heavy cream until the filling is light and luscious. The final step is folding in the crumbled Christmas Tree Snack Cakes, which gives this filling its unique crunch and the satisfying holiday flavor contrast that makes this Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe truly stand out.
Step 7: Assembling and Decorating
Pipe the filling onto half of the macaron shells before topping each with a matching shell to create perfect sandwiches. Finish your festive masterpiece by adding a drizzle of white chocolate and dusting with red, green, or star-shaped sprinkles to capture the whimsical look of decorated holiday trees.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe even more, consider adding extra flair with a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate. Tiny edible gold or silver beads also work magic to simulate sparkling lights. These small touches make the presentation feel truly special and add a pop of texture and sweetness.
Side Dishes
Serve these macarons alongside warm mulled wine, a fragrant cup of peppermint hot chocolate, or a classic eggnog for a perfect holiday pairing. These beverages complement the almond and vanilla flavors beautifully, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere with every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your macarons stacked in a pyramid, mimicking a Christmas tree shape on a festive platter. Alternatively, place them on decorative cupcake holders wrapped with coordinating holiday ribbons. You could also gift them in clear boxes tied with red and green twine, making them an irresistible homemade present for neighbors and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe keep best when stored in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Let them rest for 24 hours to let the flavors marry and the shells soften just enough for that perfect chewy texture. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best experience.
Freezing
These macarons freeze wonderfully! Place them in a sealed container with parchment paper layers between the macarons to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to one month. When you want to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then come to room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Macarons are best enjoyed at room temperature, so avoid reheating in the microwave or oven which might dry them out or melt your decorations. Simply let frozen or refrigerated macarons sit out for about 15 minutes before savoring their delicate texture and sugary filling at their best.
FAQs
Can I make these macarons in advance?
Absolutely! These Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe can be made up to five days ahead and stored in the fridge. This makes holiday entertaining much easier and still ensures maximum freshness and flavor.
What if I don’t have almond flour?
Almond flour is essential for that classic macaron texture and nuttiness, so it’s best not to substitute. However, you can find finely ground almond flour at most supermarkets or health food stores, and it’s a fantastic pantry staple to keep on hand!
Can I use other colors for the macarons?
Definitely! While green is perfect for this Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe, you could try red or even a snowy white with silver sprinkles to create a snowy holiday vibe. Get creative with your color palette!
Why do macarons sometimes crack or hollow?
Cracking or hollow shells can happen from overmixing batter or baking at incorrect temperatures. Following the folding technique carefully, letting the shells rest to dry before baking, and maintaining oven temperature accuracy will help you avoid these problems.
Can I skip the Christmas Tree Snack Cakes in the filling?
While the snack cakes add delightful texture and holiday flair, you can omit them if you prefer a smoother filling. Consider adding crushed nuts or a pinch of cinnamon for a seasonal twist instead.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe enough for your holiday baking plans. These macarons are a joyous blend of festive flavors and sophisticated textures that feel like a special gift to yourself and your loved ones. Once you see the smiles as these little beauties are unwrapped and tasted, you’ll understand why they’ve quickly become one of my all-time favorite holiday treats. Give this recipe a try, and let your kitchen fill with the warm, sweet spirit of the season!
Print
Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – A Festive and Whimsical Holiday Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 macarons
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, a whimsical holiday treat combining delicate almond meringue shells tinted green and filled with a creamy, vanilla-infused buttercream studded with crumbled Christmas Tree Snack Cakes. Perfect for holiday parties, these macarons are decorated like miniature Christmas trees with sprinkles and white chocolate accents, offering a playful and elegant dessert that blends French baking tradition with nostalgic holiday flavors.
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 2 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Green gel food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons crumbled Christmas Tree Snack Cakes (Little Debbie style)
- Red and green sprinkles or star-shaped sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Make the macaron shells: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together into a bowl, discarding any coarse bits to ensure a smooth batter. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add the green gel food coloring and gently fold it in for an even tint. Fold the sifted dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula until the batter flows in thick ribbons and passes the “figure-8” test, indicating the perfect consistency.
- Pipe the shells: Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe 1.5-inch circles onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to allow for expansion. Firmly tap the trays on the counter to remove air bubbles, which helps prevent cracking. Let the piped batter rest at room temperature for 30–45 minutes, or until the tops feel dry to the touch, forming a skin that is crucial for the classic macarons’ smooth surface.
- Bake the shells: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons for 14–16 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through for even cooking. Once baked, allow the shells to cool completely on the trays before carefully removing them to avoid breakage.
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract (optional), and heavy cream. Continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gently fold in the crumbled Christmas Tree Snack Cakes until evenly incorporated, adding unique texture and holiday flavor to the buttercream.
- Assemble the macarons: Pipe the filling onto the flat side of half the macaron shells, then sandwich with the remaining shells. Decorate the tops with a drizzle of white chocolate and scatter festive red, green, or star-shaped sprinkles to mimic ornaments on a Christmas tree, enhancing their charming holiday presentation.
Notes
- Store macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving to achieve the best texture.
- Allow macarons to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying to soften the shells slightly and enhance flavor.
- Macarons can be made up to 5 days in advance and refrigerated, wrapped tightly to maintain freshness.
- Use room temperature egg whites for optimal meringue volume and stability.
- Ensure to sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent gritty shells.
