Name: Cake Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups (175g) powdered sugar; 1 cup (100g) almond flour (finely ground, blanched); 3 large egg whites (about 90g), room temperature; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; Green gel food coloring (to desired shade); 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups (150g) powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1/2 cup (85g) finely crumbled snack cakes (Christmas Tree Cakes or similar); Pinch of salt; White chocolate drizzle; Red and green sprinkles; Edible gold stars (optional)

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Introduction

These Cake Macarons combine the delicate texture of classic French macarons with the festive flavors of crumbled snack cakes and holiday decorations. Perfect for special occasions, they are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

The image shows three macaron sandwiches stacked together on a white marbled surface, each with two pale beige outer shells and a thick middle filling. The top shells are covered with white icing and decorated with small red, green, and white round sprinkles and green sugar crystals. The filling inside looks creamy white with red candy cane stripes swirled through it. Around the macarons are small shiny red balls and glittery gold star decorations, enhancing a festive feel. The background is softly blurred with hints of holiday colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups (175g) powdered sugar
1 cup (100g) almond flour (finely ground, blanched)
3 large egg whites (about 90g), room temperature
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Green gel food coloring
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (150g) powdered sugar (for filling)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup (85g) finely crumbled snack cakes (Christmas Tree Cakes or similar)
Pinch of salt (for filling)
White chocolate drizzle (for decoration)
Red and green sprinkles (for decoration)
Edible gold stars (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

Step 1: Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together twice to ensure a fine mixture. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then add the cream of tartar. Gradually add the granulated sugar while beating until stiff peaks form. Mix in green gel food coloring until evenly colored. Gently fold in the almond flour mixture until the batter flows like lava.
Step 2: Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe tree shapes or circles onto baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats. Tap the trays gently to remove air bubbles and let them rest for 30 to 60 minutes until a skin forms on the surface.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake one tray at a time for 14 to 16 minutes, rotating halfway through for even baking. Allow the shells to cool completely before removing them from the mats.
Step 4: While the shells cool, prepare the filling by beating the softened butter until fluffy. Add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth, then fold in the finely crumbled snack cakes. Transfer the filling to a piping bag.
Step 5: Match pairs of similar-sized macaron shells. Pipe the filling onto one shell of each pair, then sandwich with the other shell.
Step 6: Decorate the assembled macarons by drizzling with white chocolate. Add red and green sprinkles, and place edible gold stars on top if desired for a festive touch.
Step 7: For best flavor, refrigerate the macarons in an airtight container for 24 hours before serving to allow the filling to mature and flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature for better volume and stability when beating.
Use a fine mesh sieve to sift the powdered sugar and almond flour to avoid lumps in the batter.
If green gel food coloring is not available, use a few drops of liquid food coloring but add sparingly to avoid thinning the batter.
For a different flavor, try substituting the crumbled snack cakes with cookie crumbs or flavored biscuits.
Allow the macarons to rest on the baking sheet to form a skin before baking, this helps achieve the signature smooth top and feet.

Storage

Store the finished macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to one month; thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of two large macarons placed on a white marbled surface. Each macaron has three main layers: the top and bottom shells are white with a slightly cracked texture, and the top shell is sprinkled with small red, green, and white round sprinkles. The middle filling layer is swirled with white and red candy cane stripes, having a smooth creamy texture. The middle shell of the top macaron is pale green and smooth. Around the macarons, there are small gold star decorations and red snowflake candies scattered on the surface, lightly dusted with powdered sugar. In the background, blurred macarons with similar decoration and a white bowl filled with more red candies are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these macarons without food coloring?

Yes, you can omit the green gel food coloring if you prefer natural-colored macarons. The flavor will remain the same, but the festive green color will be absent.

What if I don’t have cream of tartar?

If cream of tartar is not available, you can substitute with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar to stabilize the egg whites. However, using cream of tartar is ideal for consistent results.