French Macarons for Christmas: Tips to Nail This Delicate Dessert

Christmas brings with it festive feasts and indulgent treats, not to mention the sheer delights of French macarons that add a touch of sophistication to holiday spreads. With crispy shells and soft fillings, delicate, colorful confections that are a total showstopper, they can, however, be notoriously difficult to perfect-from getting those signature "feet" right to balancing the textures and flavors, every little thing matters.

For those who would wish to entertain their guests during this festive season by filling macarons with homemade flavors at Christmas time, preparation, precision, and sprinkles of creativity help make these tiny desserts special; fill them with festive peppermint ganache or spiced buttercream and watch your festive season being elevated by that little delicacy. Come and explore the recipe which shows a way of constructing these delicate treats for that merry Christmas.

Recipe to Make French Macarons

Ingredients:

• 100g almond flour (finely ground)
• 100g icing sugar
• 75g egg whites (at room temperature)
• 75g granulated sugar
• Gel food coloring (optional)

For the filling:

• 150g butter (softened)
• 300g icing sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or desired flavoring)

Method:

Sift the almond flour and icing sugar together into a large mixing bowl. Discard any coarse bits left in the sieve. In another bowl, whip the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, whisking continuously until stiff, glossy peaks form. If desired, add gel food coloring.

Gently fold the dry mixture into the meringue in thirds. Mix carefully to avoid deflating the air. The batter should flow like molten lava and form a ribbon when lifted. 

Put the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small, even circles on parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading out the macarons accordingly. Tap the baking sheet hard to release any air bubbles. Allow macarons to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to form a dry layer over their surface. 

Preheat oven to 150°C. Bake macarons until crispy around the edges, 12-15 minutes. Cool completely then peel off parchment.

For the filling, beat butter and icing sugar till light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth. Sandwich macarons with the filling. 

6 Ways to Make French Macarons for Christmas 

Peppermint Delight

Add a few drops of peppermint extract to your macaron batter and fill them with a white chocolate and peppermint ganache. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on the edges of the filling for a festive touch. The refreshing mint is beautifully balanced with the sweetness of the shells.

Gingerbread Spice

Add a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to your macaron shells. Fill them with spiced buttercream or with gingerbread-flavored ganache. This version captures the classic flavors of Christmas cookies, warm and comforting.

Cranberry Bliss

Cranberry-filled macarons. Tart cranberry curd or jam adds that hit of flavor that breaks apart the sweetness, blending so nicely with tangy over sweet. Pair with white or dark chocolate for added depth.

Elegance in Eggnog

Infuse your filling with eggnog-inspired flavors like nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of rum or brandy essence. These macarons capture the spirit of Christmas in every bite, making them a perfect addition to holiday gatherings.

Chocolate Orange Dream

Add a hint of orange zest or orange extract to the macaron shells. Fill them with decadent chocolate ganache infused with orange liqueur for a citrusy twist. This is one classic combination that never fails during Christmas time.

Pistachio and Cherry Joy

Add finely ground pistachios into the almond flour and couple it with a cherry-flavored buttercream. The nutty richness of pistachios complements the fruitiness of cherries creating an elegant holiday treat.

Tips to Nail This Delicate Dessert

Measure Precisely

Precision is crucial for macarons. Use a digital scale to weigh ingredients accurately. Even a slight deviation can affect the batter's consistency, leading to uneven shells or a lack of “feet.”

Room-Temperature Ingredients

Egg whites at room temperature whip more easily into stiff peaks, which are essential for macaron success. Allow all your ingredients to reach room temperature before starting. 

Sift Dry Ingredients

Sifting almond flour and icing sugar makes the batter free of lumps. Remove coarse bits for a perfect texture and appearance in shells.

Perfecting Macaronage

Batter mixing, or macaronage, is an art. Do not overmix, which causes the batter to be too liquid, nor undermix, which results in a very thick batter. The aim is a smooth, flowing batter.

Resting Time

Allow the shells to sit after piping until they are dry and form a dry skin on top. This allows for the characteristic "feet" that is formed in baking.

Keep an eye on Oven Temperature

Macarons are temperature sensitive. The best way to measure is by using an oven thermometer. Cracks, hollows, or an unbalanced bake can result if it's too hot or cold.

Let Cool Completely Before Assembly

Patience is key! Let the shells cool completely before trying to remove them from the parchment or put them together with the filling. This way, they are not broken and their texture is not disturbed.