Get into the holiday spirit with these delightful Santa Claus macarons! These sweet, almond-flavored cookies are filled with creamy ganache and decorated to resemble Santa himself. Perfect for holiday parties, edible gifts, or just a fun baking activity, these macarons are sure to spread Christmas cheer.
How to Make Santa Claus Macarons
Making macarons may seem intimidating, but with some patience and attention to detail, you can create these adorable treats at home. Follow this step-by-step guide for festive success.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Make the Macaron Batter: In a food processor, pulse the almond flour and powdered sugar until finely ground. Sift the mixture to remove lumps.
- Whip the Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Combine: Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites in three additions. Add red gel food coloring to half the batter and leave the other half white.
- Pipe the Shapes: Transfer the red batter to a piping bag with a round tip and pipe small circles for Santa’s hat. Use the white batter to pipe beard shapes. Tap the baking sheets to release air bubbles.
- Rest: Let the piped batter sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms.
- Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let the shells cool completely before decorating.
- Decorate: Use royal icing to add Santa’s facial details like eyes, a mouth, and a fluffy hat brim.
- Assemble: Fill the macarons with ganache or buttercream and sandwich them together.
Santa Claus Macarons
12
servings45
minutes20
minutesIngredients
- For the Macaron Shells:
1 cup almond flour
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3 large egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Red gel food coloring- For the Filling:
1/2 cup white chocolate ganache or vanilla buttercream
- For Decoration:
Royal icing (black, red, and white)
Directions
- Preheat the oven and line baking sheets.
- Prepare the macaron batter and divide into red and white portions.
- Pipe the batter into Santa shapes and rest.
- Bake and cool the shells.
- Decorate with royal icing.
- Fill and assemble the macarons.
FAQ
Q: Can I make the macaron shells ahead of time?
A: Yes, store the shells in an airtight container for up to 2 days before filling.
Q: What if my macarons crack?
A: Cracks are often caused by insufficient resting time or oven temperature. Ensure the batter forms a skin before baking.
Q: Can I use liquid food coloring?
A: Gel food coloring is recommended to avoid altering the batter’s consistency.
