Christmas Macarons – Festive French Cookies for the Holidays

Macarons are one of the most elegant and delicate desserts, and during the holidays they become even more special. These Christmas Macarons combine the classic airy almond shells with festive colors and fillings that bring joy to your holiday dessert table. Imagine red and green shells filled with creamy buttercream or ganache — they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.

While macarons are often considered tricky, this step-by-step recipe will help you create them with confidence. Once baked and assembled, they make excellent gifts, party treats, or additions to a Christmas cookie platter.

Ingredients

For the Macaron Shells:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¾ cup almond flour (finely ground)
• 2 large egg whites (room temperature)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Red and green gel food coloring

For the Filling (Vanilla Buttercream):

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

1. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Sift together powdered sugar and almond flour until fine.
3. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Add vanilla extract and divide mixture into two bowls. Tint one red and one green with gel coloring.
5. Gently fold almond mixture into each colored meringue until batter flows like lava (macaronage).
6. Transfer batters into piping bags and pipe small circles onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Tap trays firmly to release air bubbles. Let sit at room temperature for 30–40 minutes until shells form a skin.
8. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15–17 minutes, rotating trays halfway. Cool completely.
9. For buttercream, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream; beat until smooth.
10. Pipe filling onto one shell and sandwich with another. Chill macarons at least 24 hours before serving for best texture.

Why These Macarons Shine

• Festive colors: Red and green shells instantly create holiday spirit.
• Delicate texture: Crispy outside, chewy inside, just as authentic French macarons should be.
• Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for preparing ahead of Christmas gatherings.

Serve them on a holiday platter with other cookies or wrap them in small gift boxes for loved ones.

Variations

• Peppermint Twist: Add peppermint extract to the buttercream.
• Chocolate Ganache Filling: Swap buttercream for dark chocolate ganache.
• Snowy White Shells: Use white shells with silver sprinkles for a frosty look.
• Flavored Buttercream: Try cinnamon, nutmeg, or eggnog-flavored fillings.

Christmas Macarons

Festive red and green almond-based macarons filled with creamy vanilla buttercream – elegant French cookies perfect for the holidays.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 1 minute min

Servings: 24 macarons

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: French, Holiday

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Macaron Shells

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 0.75 cup almond flour finely ground
• 2 egg whites large, room temperature
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• red and green gel food coloring

Filling

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Sifter
• Piping bags
• Baking sheets
• Silicone mats or parchment paper

Method

 

1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together until fine.
3. Beat egg whites until foamy, gradually adding sugar until stiff peaks form.
4. Add vanilla, divide batter, and tint red and green.
5. Fold almond mixture into meringue until batter flows like lava.
6. Pipe circles onto prepared sheets, tap to release air bubbles.
7. Rest shells 30–40 minutes until a skin forms.
8. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15–17 minutes, rotating halfway.
9. Cool completely before filling.
10. Beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream into buttercream.
11. Pipe filling onto one shell, sandwich with another, and chill 24 hours before serving.

Notes

Macarons improve after resting. Refrigerate for 24 hours after assembling for best results.

Make-Ahead Tips

Macarons taste even better after resting. Store assembled macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze shells (unfilled) for up to a month.