When the holiday season arrives, the table is filled with traditional dishes, sparkling drinks, and desserts that everyone looks forward to all year. But if you want to add a touch of elegance and creativity to your holiday spread, there’s no better treat than Holiday Macarons. These delicate French cookies are a true showstopper: crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and filled with luscious cream or ganache.
Whether you’re preparing for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, or any festive gathering, macarons make the perfect edible gift, dessert centerpiece, or party favor. In this article, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about making, decorating, and serving Holiday Macarons—from essential ingredients to foolproof steps, festive flavor ideas, and expert tips for success.
What Are Macarons?
Before we begin, let’s clarify: macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) are French sandwich cookies made from almond flour, egg whites, and sugar. Their signature texture comes from the meringue-based shells that are crisp yet tender, paired with creamy fillings like ganache, buttercream, or fruit curd.
Macarons are notoriously tricky to master because they require precision, but once you get the hang of it, you can customize them for any occasion—including the holidays. Think peppermint macarons with red-and-white swirls, eggnog macarons with a spiced filling, or sparkling champagne macarons for New Year’s Eve.
Why Choose Holiday Macarons?
Holiday desserts often lean heavy—pies, cakes, and cookies that are rich and filling. Macarons, on the other hand, are light, airy, and perfectly portioned. Here’s why they’re the ultimate holiday treat:
- Festive colors & designs: Red, green, gold, silver, or even glittery decorations.
- Versatile flavors: From peppermint to cranberry-orange to gingerbread.
- Elegant presentation: They look gorgeous on dessert tables or in gift boxes.
- Customizable themes: Match your macarons to holiday events or decorations.
- Travel-friendly gifts: Package them in boxes or jars as thoughtful, edible presents.
Ingredients for Holiday Macarons
Making macarons requires precision, so measure carefully. Here’s a basic recipe you can adapt for holiday flavors:
For the macaron shells:
- 1 cup (100g) almond flour (finely ground, sifted)
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites (aged, room temperature)
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Food coloring (gel-based, holiday colors like red, green, gold)
- Pinch of cream of tartar (optional, stabilizes egg whites)
For the filling (choose one or mix & match):
- Buttercream filling: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp heavy cream, flavor extract (peppermint, vanilla, etc.)
- Ganache filling: 1 cup heavy cream, 8 oz chocolate (white, milk, or dark), 1 tbsp butter
- Fruit curd filling: Lemon, cranberry, or orange curd for a zesty option
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Precision is everything when making macarons. Gather these tools before you begin:
- Digital kitchen scale (for accuracy)
- Fine-mesh sieve (to sift almond flour and sugar)
- Mixing bowls (glass or stainless steel)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Piping bags with round tips
- Baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats
- Oven thermometer (essential for temperature accuracy)
- Cooling rack
by-Step Instructions for Holiday Macarons
1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together at least twice. This ensures a smooth shell texture without lumps.
2: Whip the Egg Whites
- In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy.
- Add cream of tartar and continue beating.
- Gradually add granulated sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- If using food coloring, add it now.
3: Macaronage (Folding Technique)
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue using a spatula.
- The batter should be smooth, glossy, and flow like lava when lifted.
- Be careful not to overmix (flat shells) or undermix (cracked shells).
4: Pipe the Shells
- Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
- Pipe small, even circles (about 1 1/2 inches) onto the baking sheets.
- Tap the trays firmly on the counter to release air bubbles.
5: Rest the Shells
- Allow piped macarons to rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes.
- The tops should form a skin that doesn’t stick when lightly touched.
6: Bake
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Bake shells for 14–16 minutes, rotating halfway.
- Let cool completely before removing from the parchment/silicone mat.
7: Fill and Assemble
- Pipe chosen filling onto half of the shells.
- Sandwich with remaining shells, pressing gently.
8: Mature the Macarons
- Place filled macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours before serving. This allows flavors to meld and shells to soften slightly.
Holiday Flavor Variations
The holidays are the perfect excuse to get creative with macarons. Here are festive variations:
- Peppermint Macarons
- Red shells swirled with white.
- Peppermint buttercream filling.
- Eggnog Macarons
- Beige shells dusted with nutmeg.
- Eggnog-flavored cream filling.
- Cranberry-Orange Macarons
- Pink shells.
- Tangy cranberry curd with orange zest.
- Gingerbread Macarons
- Brown shells flavored with cinnamon and ginger.
- Molasses buttercream filling.
- Champagne Macarons (New Year’s)
- Gold-dusted shells.
- White chocolate and champagne ganache.
Expert Tips for Perfect Holiday Macarons
- Weigh ingredients: Accuracy is crucial.
- Age egg whites: Separate them a day before baking for better stability.
- Check oven temp: Too hot = cracked shells. Too cool = no feet.
- Use gel food coloring: Liquid coloring can ruin consistency.
- Resting is essential: Don’t skip forming the skin before baking.
- Decorate creatively: Use edible glitter, gold dust, or royal icing for holiday flair.
Serving Ideas for Holiday Macarons
- Arrange on a tiered dessert stand with other holiday treats.
- Box them in festive packaging as edible gifts.
- Pair with champagne, mulled wine, or hot chocolate.
- Add them to a holiday charcuterie board for a sweet-salty mix.
Approximate Nutritional Value (per macaron, 1 cookie)
- Calories: 90
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
Why Holiday Macarons Are Worth the Effort
While they may take time and precision, the payoff is undeniable. Holiday Macarons are elegant, festive, and guaranteed to wow your guests. With endless flavor combinations and beautiful presentation options, they’re the perfect blend of tradition and creativity.
So this holiday season, roll up your sleeves, get out the almond flour, and bring a little Parisian magic to your celebrations.
