Ingredients
– For the Macaron Shells:
– 1 cup almond flour
– 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
– 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– Green gel food coloring (or desired color)
– For the Buttercream Filling:
– 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Optional: Flavoring extracts (peppermint, almond, etc.)
– Sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration
Instructions
Follow these steps to create your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons:
1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a template or a round object to draw circles about 1.5 inches in diameter on the paper for consistency.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar. Set aside.
3. Whip Egg Whites: In a clean, dry mixing bowl, whip the egg whites until they become frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to whip until stiff peaks form.
4. Add Flavor and Color: Gently fold in the vanilla extract and green gel food coloring into the whipped egg whites until evenly mixed.
5. Combine Mixtures: Carefully fold the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture into the meringue. Use a spatula and perform the macaronage technique until the batter flows like lava, which should take about 30 strokes.
6. Pipe the Shells: Transfer the macaron batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, filling each circle.
7. Rest the Macarons: Allow the piped macarons to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until a skin forms on the surface. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect macaron feet.
8. Preheat the Oven: While the macarons are resting, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
9. Bake the Macarons: Bake the macarons for 15-20 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through. They should have risen and formed feet.
10. Cool the Shells: Once baked, remove the macarons from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets.
11. Prepare Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If desired, add flavoring extracts.
12. Fill the Macarons: Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag and pipe a small amount onto the flat side of half the macaron shells. Place the remaining shells on top to create sandwiches.
13. Decorate: Use sprinkles or edible glitter to decorate your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, enhancing their festive appearance.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20 macarons
- Calories: Approximately 90 kcal per macaron
- Fat: 4g
- Protein: 1g