Cake Macarons Recipe
Delight in these festive Cake Macarons featuring delicate almond meringue shells tinted with green gel food coloring, sandwiched with a rich buttercream filling studded with finely crumbled snack cakes. Finished with white chocolate drizzle, colorful sprinkles, and optional edible gold stars, these elegant treats offer a perfect combination of crunch and softness with a festive flair ideal for holiday celebrations.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 24 macarons (12 sandwich cookies) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Macaron Shells
- 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)
Filling
- 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
Decoration
- White chocolate drizzle
- Red and green sprinkles
- Edible gold stars (optional)
- Prepare the Macaron Batter: Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together twice to ensure no lumps. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the room temperature egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, then gradually pour in granulated sugar, continuing to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in green gel food coloring until evenly incorporated. Gently fold the sifted almond flour mixture into the meringue until the batter flows like lava, indicating proper macaronage.
- Pipe the Macarons: Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe tree shapes or uniform circles onto baking sheets lined with silicone mats or parchment paper. Tap the trays firmly on the countertop to release air bubbles. Let the piped batter rest at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, allowing a skin to form on the surface, which is crucial for perfect feet during baking.
- Bake the Shells: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Place one baking tray in the oven at a time and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking. Once baked, allow the shells to cool completely on the trays before gently removing them from the mats to prevent cracking.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until fluffy and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt, beating until smooth and well incorporated. Fold in the finely crumbled snack cakes to add texture and flavor to the buttercream. Transfer the filling to a piping bag for assembly.
- Assemble the Macarons: Sort the macaron shells by size and pair similar-sized shells. Pipe a generous amount of the prepared filling onto one shell of each pair, then gently sandwich with the matching shell, pressing lightly to spread the filling evenly without cracking the shells.
- Decorate: Drizzle the assembled macarons with melted white chocolate in decorative patterns. Sprinkle red and green sprinkles over the chocolate drizzle while still wet for festive color. Optionally, place edible gold stars atop the macarons for an extra holiday touch.
- Mature for Best Flavor: Place the completed macarons in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the texture to soften slightly, resulting in the best taste and consistency when served.
Notes
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature to achieve optimal volume when beaten.
- Sifting powdered sugar and almond flour twice is critical to avoid lumpy batter and achieve smooth shells.
- Resting the piped macarons before baking allows a skin to form, which helps develop the classic macaron feet.
- Baking at consistent 300°F (150°C) and rotating trays midway ensures even cooking and prevents burning.
- Use a gentle folding technique when mixing the dry ingredients into the meringue to maintain airiness.
- Allow macarons to mature in the fridge for 24 hours for improved flavor and texture.
- Handle macaron shells gently to avoid cracks or breakage during assembly.
- Customize decorations with your choice of sprinkles and edible toppings for various occasions.
Keywords: cake macarons, almond meringue, holiday macarons, green macarons, buttercream filling, festive desserts, Christmas macarons