Santa Claus Macarons
Introduction
The holiday season brings joy, festivities, and delightful treats. One treat that captures the spirit of Christmas is the Santa Claus Macaron. These adorable cookies not only taste delicious but also add a festive touch to your holiday gatherings. With their playful design of Santa’s face, they are perfect for sharing with friends and family or gifting to loved ones.
Why make this recipe
Making Santa Claus Macarons is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season. They are visually appealing and allow you to showcase your baking skills. Plus, who can resist the charm of Santa staring up at you from a plate of tasty treats? Whether you’re an experienced baker or a newbie in the kitchen, this recipe will bring a smile to your face and joy to those who enjoy them.
How to prepare Santa Claus Macarons
Preparing Santa Claus Macarons requires a few steps, but each step is simple and enjoyable. Follow along to create these festive cookies that everyone will love!
Ingredients:
- 100 grams Domino® Golden Sugar
- 4 grams egg white powder (optional, read notes)
- 100 grams egg whites
- 105 grams almond flour
- 105 grams Domino® Powdered Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Domino® Powdered Sugar (187 grams)
- 1 tbsp meringue powder
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 drops black gel food coloring
- 1 drop yellow gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (63 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 1/4 cup Domino® Golden Sugar (50 grams)
- 1 1/4 cup Domino® Powdered Sugar (156 grams)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (shredded) (50 grams)
Steps:
Macaron Shells: Start by preparing the macaron shells. In a bowl, mix the almond flour and powdered sugar. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add the Domino® Golden Sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the almond flour mixture to create a smooth batter.
Royal Icing: In a bowl, combine meringue powder and water. Whip until the icing forms stiff peaks. This will be used to decorate your macarons.
Decorate the shells: Use the royal icing to pipe Santa’s face onto the macaron shells. You can use black gel food coloring for the eyes and yellow for the nose.
Sugar Cookie Buttercream: In another bowl, cream the unsalted butter and Domino® Golden Sugar until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk/cream. Beat until creamy and smooth. This will be your filling.
Fill the Shells: Once the decorated shells are ready, pipe the sugar cookie buttercream onto the flat side of one macaron shell and gently press another shell on top.
How to serve Santa Claus Macarons
Serve Santa Claus Macarons on a festive plate during your holiday gatherings. These charming treats can be a fun centerpiece or a sweet dessert option after a holiday meal. Pair them with hot cocoa or eggnog for a delightful experience.
How to store Santa Claus Macarons
To store your Santa Claus Macarons, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for about three days. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container for up to a month. Just remember to let them thaw in the fridge before serving.
Tips to make Santa Claus Macarons perfectly
- Age your egg whites: For best results, let your egg whites sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. This helps create better volume when whipped.
- Sift the dry ingredients: Always sift the almond flour and powdered sugar to remove lumps for a smooth macaron shell.
- Don’t rush: Allow the macaron shells to dry before baking. This will help form a skin, giving you those lovely feet.
Variations
Feel free to customize your Santa Claus Macarons! You can change the colors to create other holiday characters, like snowmen or reindeer. You might also use different flavors for the buttercream filling, like peppermint or chocolate.
FAQ
Q: Can I make macaron shells without the egg white powder?
A: Yes, you can make macaron shells without egg white powder. Just make sure to use aged egg whites.
Q: Why did my macarons crack?
A: Cracked macarons can happen if they are not dried long enough before baking. Make sure to let them sit until they form a dry skin.
Q: Can I freeze the macaron shells?
A: Yes! You can freeze the shells for later use. Just store them in an airtight container and thaw them in the fridge before assembling.
With these easy steps and tips, your Santa Claus Macarons will bring joy to your holiday festivities! Enjoy baking and sharing these festive delights!
Santa Claus Macarons
Adorable and festive Santa Claus Macarons that bring holiday cheer to your gatherings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 macarons 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 100 grams Domino® Golden Sugar
- 4 grams egg white powder (optional)
- 100 grams egg whites
- 105 grams almond flour
- 105 grams Domino® Powdered Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Domino® Powdered Sugar (187 grams)
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 drops black gel food coloring
- 1 drop yellow gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (63 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 1/4 cup Domino® Golden Sugar (50 grams)
- 1 1/4 cup Domino® Powdered Sugar (156 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (50 grams)
Instructions
- Macaron Shells: Mix almond flour and powdered sugar. Whip egg whites until frothy, then gradually add Domino® Golden Sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in almond flour mixture.
- Royal Icing: Combine meringue powder and water, whipping until stiff peaks form for decorating.
- Decorate the shells: Use royal icing to pipe Santa’s face, using black for the eyes and yellow for the nose.
- Sugar Cookie Buttercream: Cream unsalted butter and Domino® Golden Sugar until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk/cream until creamy and smooth.
- Fill the Shells: Pipe sugar cookie buttercream on one macaron shell and top with another shell.
Notes
For the best results, age your egg whites and sift dry ingredients to remove lumps. Allow macaron shells to dry before baking for the perfect texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 macaron
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: macarons, holiday treats, Christmas cookies, baking, festive desserts