Santa Claus Macarons Recipe

Name: Santa Claus Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 100 grams Almond flour; 100 grams Powdered sugar; 4 grams Egg white powder (optional); 105 grams Egg whites; 105 grams Granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon Red gel food coloring; 1 1/2 cups Powdered sugar (for royal icing); 1 tablespoon Meringue powder; 4 tablespoons Water; 2 drops Black gel food coloring; 1 drop Yellow gel food coloring; 1/2 cup Unsalted butter; 1/4 cup Golden sugar; 1 1/4 cups Powdered sugar (for buttercream); 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon Almond extract; 1/2 tablespoon Milk or heavy cream; 1/4 cup Shredded coconut (for rolling); 1/2 cup All-purpose flour

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Santa Claus Macarons are a delightful and festive twist on the classic French cookie, bringing a fun and delicious touch to your holiday desserts. These macarons are filled with a sugar cookie buttercream and decorated with royal icing to create a charming Santa Claus design. Whether you’re looking for a holiday gift or something special to share at your Christmas gathering, these macarons are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love Santa Claus Macarons

Santa Claus Macarons offer a combination of rich flavors and a stunning appearance. The macaron shells are vibrant red, mimicking Santa’s suit, while the filling is a sweet and buttery sugar cookie buttercream that perfectly complements the texture of the delicate shells. The royal icing decorations add a whimsical touch, making these macarons the perfect festive treat for the holiday season. They’re also surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple steps!

Ingredients for Santa Claus Macarons

To make these delicious Santa Claus Macarons, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Macaron Shells:

Almond flour: Adds a delicate texture and rich flavor.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the shells and helps achieve a smooth, glossy finish.
Egg whites: The base for the meringue, which gives macarons their signature texture.
Granulated sugar: Stabilizes the egg whites and helps form a strong meringue.
Gel food coloring (red): Provides the vibrant color for Santa’s suit.

For the Royal Icing:

Powdered sugar: The base of the royal icing, giving it a smooth and glossy finish.
Meringue powder: Helps stabilize the icing.
Water: Used to adjust the consistency of the icing.
Black and yellow gel food coloring: For creating Santa’s belt and buckle.

Unsalted butter: Forms the creamy base of the buttercream.
Golden sugar: Adds a warm, molasses-like flavor that complements the sugar cookie taste.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the buttercream.
Vanilla extract: Adds flavor depth.
All-purpose flour: Gives the buttercream a unique, cookie-dough texture.
Shredded coconut: For rolling the macarons, adding a snowy effect.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Santa Claus Macarons

Follow these simple steps to create your very own Santa Claus Macarons.

Prepare the macaron batter: Sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites and granulated sugar over a double boiler until the sugar dissolves completely. Then, whip the mixture to stiff peaks. Gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients and red food coloring, ensuring the batter has a thick, flowing consistency.
Pipe the macaron shells: Transfer the macaron batter into a piping bag and pipe out circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Tap the baking sheets to remove any air bubbles and let the shells rest for about 2 hours until they form a dry skin.
Bake the macaron shells: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macaron shells for 15–20 minutes, or until they form feet and are firm to the touch. Let the shells cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them.
Prepare the royal icing: In a mixer, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Whisk on medium-high speed until glossy and stiff peaks form. Divide the icing into two bowls, tint one black and the other yellow. Pipe a black line across the center of each macaron shell, followed by a yellow square to create the buckle.
Make the sugar cookie buttercream: Heat-treat the flour by baking it at 350°F for 5 minutes to make it safe for consumption. Then, cream the butter and sugars together, adding the cooled flour and vanilla. Mix until smooth, adding milk or heavy cream if the mixture is too thick.
Assemble the macarons: Pipe the sugar cookie buttercream onto one macaron shell and top with another decorated shell. Roll the sides of the macarons in shredded coconut for a festive snowy touch.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Santa Claus Macarons

Achieve vibrant red macaron shells: For the best color, use both powdered and gel food coloring. The key is to add plenty of red gel food coloring to ensure the shells are a deep, vibrant hue.
Don’t skip the resting time: Allow the macarons to rest until the tops are dry to the touch. This ensures they bake properly and do not crack.
Whip the meringue properly: For stiff, glossy peaks, be sure to whip your meringue thoroughly. If under-whipped, your macarons will be flat and cracked.
Make ahead: Santa Claus Macarons can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

Santa Claus Macarons pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or a festive eggnog. If you’re looking to change things up, try making a spiced version with cinnamon or ginger in the buttercream for a warm holiday twist. Additionally, you can skip the royal icing decoration for a simpler, yet still festive, macaron. The sugar cookie buttercream can also be swapped out for other flavors like peppermint or chocolate for a variety of holiday flavors.

Storage Tips for Santa Claus Macarons

Store your Santa Claus Macarons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them fresh for longer, freeze them for up to 1–2 months. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Santa Claus Macarons are a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for celebrating the holidays. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying them at home, these macarons are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Happy baking!

Conclusion

Santa Claus Macarons are the perfect holiday treat to spread festive cheer with their delightful sugar cookie buttercream filling and charming royal icing decoration. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them at home, these macarons are a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Their vibrant red shells and whimsical Santa Claus designs make them both delicious and visually stunning. With a few simple steps and a bit of patience, you can create these delectable treats and impress your guests this Christmas. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I prevent my Santa Claus Macaron shells from cracking?

To avoid cracked macaron shells, ensure the macaron batter has the right consistency. When folding the dry ingredients into the meringue, be sure the batter flows easily and forms a figure-eight without breaking. Also, don’t skip the resting time — the shells need to form a skin before baking. This prevents cracking during the baking process.

2. Can I make Santa Claus Macarons in advance?

Yes, you can make Santa Claus Macarons in advance. Once assembled, these macarons can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you want to store them for a longer period, freeze them for up to 1–2 months. Make sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.

3. Can I use different fillings for these macarons?

Absolutely! While these Santa Claus Macarons feature a delicious sugar cookie buttercream filling, you can swap it out for other flavors like peppermint buttercream, chocolate ganache, or vanilla buttercream. The royal icing decoration and vibrant red macaron shells will still make the treat festive and delightful!

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: A smooth and creamy pumpkin cheesecake layer atop a buttery graham cracker crust, these bars are the ultimate dessert for autumn. They provide a festive and flavorful option to share with family and friends, similar to the festive vibe of Santa Claus Macarons.
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