These Festive Macaron Christmas Trees are the perfect show-stopping holiday treat! With delicate green macarons, creamy filling, and festive decorations, they look like tiny edible Christmas trees. These macarons are fun to make, absolutely delicious, and sure to impress your guests. Let’s create these magical holiday desserts together!
Ingredients
For the Macaron Shells:
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) almond flour
- 1 1/4 cups (125g) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- Green gel food coloring
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Decorations:
- Pomegranate seeds (for ornaments)
- Mint leaves or edible greenery (for leaves)
- Gold sugar stars (for the tree topper)
- Powdered sugar (for snow effect)
Preparation Time
- Preparation: 1 hour
- Cooking: 20 minutes
- Assembly: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Luscious Lemon Zest Cake
Light and zesty, this Lemon Zest Cake is a refreshing choice for spring and summer gatherings. It’s ideal for anyone who loves citrus flavors.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Macaron Shells:
Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a large bowl. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar while beating until stiff peaks form. Add green gel food coloring and gently fold until evenly distributed.
Fold the almond mixture into the egg whites in batches, using a spatula. The batter should be smooth and flow like lava.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (two sizes for stacking: small and large). Tap the tray to release air bubbles. Let the macarons rest for 30-60 minutes, until a skin forms on top.
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
2. Prepare the Filling:
Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
Transfer the filling to a piping bag.
3. Assemble the Christmas Trees:
Pipe a dollop of filling onto a large macaron shell. Place a smaller shell on top and add another swirl of filling. Decorate with pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, and top with a gold sugar star. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
Arrange your macaron trees on a festive platter and serve at room temperature. They make a delightful centerpiece and treat!
Tips for Success
Perfect Shells: Ensure your almond flour is finely ground and your egg whites are room temperature for smooth macaron shells.
Rest the Macarons: Don’t skip resting them before baking—this helps develop their iconic “feet.”
Customize Colors: Use red or white food coloring for a different festive theme.
Nutritional Information (Per Tree, Approximate)
- Calories: 150
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 7g