Santa Claus Macarons Recipe: 5 Tips for Perfect Results

Jump to Recipe

These Santa Claus Macarons are the perfect holiday dessert. Filled with a creamy Sugar Cookie Buttercream and adorned with a simple royal icing decoration, these macarons capture the magic of Christmas. The delicate red macaron shells are beautifully decorated to look like Santa Claus, making them both a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. If you’re looking for a festive baking project this season, these macaron cookies will surely impress your family and friends.

Why You’ll Love These Santa Claus Macarons

These Santa Claus Macarons are the ultimate holiday treat, combining a visually stunning design with a delicious flavor. With their vibrant red macaron shells, creamy buttercream filling, and royal icing decorations, they are as much fun to make as they are to eat. The sugar cookie buttercream gives them a delightful sweetness, while the royal icing belt and buckle add a playful and festive touch. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking to try something new, these macarons are a fun, creative way to celebrate Christmas.

Ingredients

For the macaron shells:

Almond Flour: Provides a smooth, nutty texture.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the shells while helping to create a delicate texture.
Egg Whites: Essential for creating a meringue, which gives the macaron shells their structure.
Golden Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses for depth of flavor.
Gel Food Coloring: Used to achieve a vibrant red color for the macaron shells.

For the royal icing:

Powdered Sugar: Forms the base of the royal icing.
Meringue Powder: Helps to stabilize the icing, giving it a smooth consistency.
Water: Adjusts the icing’s consistency.
Gel Food Coloring (Black and Yellow): Used for decorating Santa’s belt and buckle.

For the sugar cookie buttercream:

All-purpose Flour: Gives the buttercream a thick, dough-like texture.
Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the buttercream.
Golden Sugar: Enhances the flavor of the buttercream, giving it a slight caramelized taste.
Vanilla and Almond Extracts: Provide aromatic sweetness.
Milk or Heavy Cream: Makes the buttercream creamy and smooth.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you don’t have golden sugar, you can substitute it with regular granulated sugar or even brown sugar for a different flavor profile. The almond flour can be swapped with other nut flours if you’re looking to make a nut-free version, but this may affect the texture slightly. For the royal icing, if you don’t have meringue powder, egg white powder can be used as a replacement.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Macaron Shells: Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together and set aside. Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer and whip until stiff peaks form.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the sifted almond flour and powdered sugar mixture to the whipped egg whites. Add red gel food coloring until you achieve a vibrant red color.
Pipe the Macaron Shells: Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe small circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Tap the tray on the counter to release any air bubbles, then let the macarons rest for 1-2 hours until they form a dry skin.
Bake the Macaron Shells: Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Bake the macaron shells for 15-20 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. Let them cool completely before removing them from the tray.
Make the Royal Icing: Mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water to create the royal icing. Divide the icing and color one batch with black gel and the other with yellow gel. Pipe a black line for Santa’s belt and add a yellow square buckle in the center.
Prepare the Sugar Cookie Buttercream: Heat the flour in the oven for 5 minutes to ensure it’s safe to eat. Beat together butter and sugars, then mix in the cooled flour, extracts, and milk to create a smooth buttercream.
Assemble the Macarons: Pipe the sugar cookie buttercream onto the bottom shell of each macaron. Place the decorated top shell on top, and gently roll the sides of the macarons in shredded coconut for a snowy effect.

Tips & Tricks

Rest the Macaron Shells: Don’t skip the resting time before baking the macaron shells. This ensures they form a proper skin, which helps prevent cracks during baking.
Achieving a Vibrant Red: For the best red color, use a combination of red powder food coloring and gel. This will help you get a deep, vibrant color that holds up during baking.
Royal Icing Consistency: When making royal icing, aim for a consistency that is thick enough to hold its shape but still smooth enough to pipe. If it’s too stiff, add a little more water; if too runny, add more powdered sugar.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

These Santa Claus Macarons pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a festive peppermint latte. For a different twist, you can swap out the sugar cookie buttercream for a peppermint or gingerbread filling to add a holiday spin. These macarons also make an excellent addition to a Christmas dessert table or as a gift for friends and family.

Storing Your Macarons

Santa Claus Macarons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 1-2 months. When ready to serve, allow them to thaw for about 30 minutes before enjoying.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or looking for a special Christmas treat, these Santa Claus Macarons are sure to impress with their festive design and delicious flavor. Happy baking!

Conclusion

Santa Claus Macarons are not just a delicious holiday treat—they are a fun, creative way to celebrate the Christmas season. With their festive red macaron shells, sweet sugar cookie buttercream filling, and charming royal icing decorations, they are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. These macarons combine elegant baking techniques with a playful twist that will delight both seasoned bakers and those new to the macaron world.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas with family or gifting these beautifully decorated treats, these Santa Claus Macarons are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. So, roll up your sleeves and get baking—your festive holiday treat awaits!

FAQs

1. How do I get a vibrant red color for my Santa Claus Macarons?

To achieve a vibrant red color for your macaron shells, use a combination of red gel food coloring and powder food coloring. The powder will give a solid base color, and the gel helps deepen the shade. Make sure to add enough food coloring to get the desired color, and allow the batter to dry for at least an hour before baking to prevent cracks.

2. Can I substitute the sugar cookie buttercream with another filling?

Yes, you can definitely experiment with other fillings! A peppermint buttercream, chocolate ganache, or even a classic vanilla buttercream would work wonderfully as a filling. Adjust the flavor based on your preference or the theme of your holiday celebration.

3. Why are my macaron shells cracking during baking?

Cracking macaron shells often occur due to insufficient drying time before baking, especially when using food coloring. Ensure the shells are dry to the touch and form a skin before baking. Additionally, check your oven temperature, as a temperature that’s too high can cause the shells to crack as well.

More Relevant Recipes

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars: These sweet and indulgent bars combine the tartness of apples with the rich flavor of salted caramel, creating a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the macaron filling. They’re a delightful dessert for those who love festive flavors with a bit of a twist.
Frosted Christmas Brownies: These brownies offer a soft, decadent chocolate base topped with a festive frosted layer. With a rich chocolate flavor and seasonal decoration, they are a perfect dessert option to accompany the playful Santa Claus Macarons at your holiday celebrations.
Christmas Sugar Cookies: Simple, classic sugar cookies with a festive holiday design. These sugar cookies pair wonderfully with macaron treats, offering an easy-to-make, sweet addition to any holiday dessert platter.