Description
A light, festive macaron with a peppermint buttercream filling that tastes just like Christmas. These delicate almond cookies feature a crisp shell, a chewy center, and creamy frosting—perfect for gifting, serving at parties, or enjoying by the fire with hot cocoa. With simple step-by-step instructions, even first-time bakers can create a bakery-worthy treat right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
1. Macaron Shells:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites (aged)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- Red and green gel food coloring
2. Peppermint Buttercream:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Crushed candy canes (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sift almond flour and powdered sugar twice for a smooth texture.
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy, then slowly add granulated sugar. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Divide and color meringue red and green using gel coloring.
- Fold almond mixture into meringue until batter flows like lava.
- Pipe 1½-inch rounds onto lined baking sheets. Tap to remove air bubbles.
- Let rest 30–45 minutes until tops are dry to touch.
- Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15–18 minutes, one tray at a time.
- Cool completely before removing.
- For buttercream: beat butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract until fluffy. Add cream if needed.
- Sandwich shells with buttercream, then roll edges in crushed candy cane.
- Chill for 24 hours before serving for best texture.
Notes
- Always use gel food coloring to maintain the perfect batter consistency.
- Humidity can ruin macarons—bake in a cool, dry environment when possible.
- Aging the egg whites overnight helps create a stable meringue and perfect “feet.”
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg