Jolly Santa Claus Macarons Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Sweet and whimsical Santa Claus macarons bring holiday magic to your festive dessert table.

These delightful French cookies capture the spirit of Christmas with their adorable design.

Crisp meringue shells adorned with cheerful Santa faces create a playful treat that sparks joy.

Delicate almond flour and precise technique ensure each macaron looks picture-perfect.

You’ll love the combination of smooth buttercream and light-as-air shells that melt in your mouth.

Rich flavors and charming Santa decorations make these macarons a show-stopping dessert.

Prepare to delight your guests with these festive, irresistible Christmas confections.

Why Santa Claus Macarons Are So Delightful

• Transform ordinary baking into a festive experience with these adorable Santa Claus-themed macarons that capture Christmas cheer in every delightful bite.
• Learn the art of macaron-making with a step-by-step process that breaks down complex pastry skills into achievable, enjoyable steps for bakers of all levels.
• Design stunning desserts that look professionally made, with detailed decorating techniques using royal icing and creative coconut finishing that wow family and friends.
• Bake a dessert that brings warmth and nostalgia, perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or creating special moments with loved ones during the festive season.

What You Need for Santa Macarons

• Almond Flour: The foundation of macaron shells that provides a delicate, nutty base.
• Powdered Sugar: Helps create a smooth, fine texture in the macaron shells.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the meringue.
• Egg Whites: Creates the light, airy structure of the macaron shells.
• Egg White Powder: Provides additional stability to the meringue mixture.
• Butter: Forms the creamy, rich base of the filling.
• Sugars: Adds sweetness and helps create the perfect buttercream consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the buttercream.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle nutty depth to the filling.

• Royal Icing: Allows for intricate Santa belt and buckle design.
• Food Coloring: Creates the black and yellow details for Santa's design.
• Desiccated Coconut: Adds a snowy, festive texture to the macaron edges.
• Milk or Cream: Helps adjust the buttercream consistency if needed.

How to Make Santa Claus Macarons

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Grab your sifter and combine almond flour and powdered sugar.

Sift them together thoroughly to create a silky-smooth base for your magical macarons.

Break up any tiny lumps to ensure a perfect texture.

Step 2: Create Fluffy Meringue

Set up a double boiler and whisk egg whites with granulated sugar.

Heat gently while stirring until sugar completely dissolves.

Transfer to mixer and whip until the mixture transforms into glossy, stiff peaks that stand up proudly.

Step 3: Fold Batter Gracefully

Carefully fold dry ingredients into meringue using a gentle motion.

Watch for the perfect consistency – the batter should flow like molten lava and create a smooth figure 8 when drizzled.

Step 4: Shape Macaron Shells

Prepare a baking mat and pipe delicate circles of batter.

Tap the tray firmly against the counter to release hidden air bubbles.

Use a toothpick to pop any stubborn bubbles for ultra-smooth shells.

Step 5: Rest Macaron Shells

Let shells sit at room temperature until they develop a gentle skin.

This typically takes 30-45 minutes.

You’ll know they’re ready when you can touch the top without leaving a mark.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 300°F.

Bake shells until they develop signature frilly feet and look set.

They should be firm but not browned.

Remove and let cool completely on the baking sheet.

Step 7: Design Santa’s Face

• Black for belt details
• Yellow for belt buckle

Carefully pipe Santa’s iconic belt design onto macaron shells.

Step 8: Whip Creamy Filling

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Tiny bit of flour

Adjust consistency with milk if needed.

Step 9: Assemble Jolly Treats

Pipe buttercream onto bottom shells.

Sandwich with decorated tops.

Roll edges in desiccated coconut to create a snowy winter wonderland effect.

Your Santa Claus macarons are ready to delight!

Smart Tips for Holiday Macarons

• Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth shell surface.
• Whisk egg whites and sugar over simmering water to create stable, glossy peaks that provide the perfect macaron foundation.
• Allow piped shells to rest until a dry skin forms, preventing cracking and ensuring beautiful, professional-looking macarons.
• Roll macaron edges in desiccated coconut for a festive snow-like finish that adds texture and holiday charm.

How to Store Santa Claus Macarons

• Store macarons in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture absorption and flavor contamination.
• Wrap individual macarons in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Avoid direct microwave heating. Let frozen macarons naturally come to room temperature for best texture and flavor preservation.
• Keep in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Consume within 24 hours for optimal freshness and crisp macaron shell texture.

What Goes Well with Santa Macarons

• Festive Flavor Boosters: Santa Claus Macaron Pairings
• Spice Up the Hot Chocolate: Pair these adorable Santa macarons with a rich, spiced hot chocolate loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cayenne for a warming winter treat that complements the sweet almond flavor.
• Mulled Wine Magic: Serve alongside a warm mulled wine with hints of orange, cloves, and star anise. The spicy-sweet wine beautifully balances the delicate macaron's buttercream and royal icing design.
• Creamy Vanilla Latte Love: Match these cute Santa cookies with a smooth vanilla latte. The coffee's warmth and creamy texture create a delightful contrast to the light, crisp macaron shells and sweet filling.
• Peppermint Punch: Enjoy with a cool peppermint tea or cocktail. The refreshing mint notes will dance perfectly with the sweet coconut and almond flavors of the festive macarons.

Festive Spins on Santa Claus Macarons

• Gluten-Free Santa Macarons: Replace almond flour with a certified gluten-free alternative like ground sunflower seeds or a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Holiday Version: Swap egg whites with aquafaba (chickpea liquid), use plant-based butter for buttercream, and replace traditional sugar with coconut sugar for a completely plant-based macaron experience.
• Low-Sugar Santa Treat: Utilize monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reduce overall sugar content in buttercream, and use sugar-free royal icing to create a diabetic-friendly version of the festive cookie.
• Nut-Free Santa Cookie: Substitute almond flour with coconut flour or seed flour, ensuring those with nut allergies can still enjoy these charming holiday macarons while maintaining the classic Santa design.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for Santa Claus Macarons?

The main ingredients include almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites, granulated sugar, butter, royal icing, and desiccated coconut for the snowy effect.

• How do I know if my macaron batter is mixed correctly?

The perfect macaron batter should flow like lava. You can test this by drawing a figure 8 with the batter, and it should not break immediately.

• Why is resting the macaron shells important?

Resting allows a skin to form on the shells, which prevents cracking during baking and helps create the signature smooth macaron texture.

• What's the trick to getting perfect macaron feet?

Proper meringue consistency, correct folding technique, and letting the shells rest before baking are crucial for developing those classic macaron feet.

Santa Claus Macarons Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Santa Claus Macarons blend whimsical French pastry with festive holiday cheer, creating adorable red and white cookie treats. Delicate almond shells and creamy filling bring magical Christmas spirit to your dessert table, delighting guests with playful seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

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Macaron Shells:

• 105 grams almond flour
• 100 grams egg whites
• 4 grams egg white powder (optional)
• 100 grams Domino Golden Sugar
• 105 grams Domino Powdered Sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (187 grams) Domino Powdered Sugar
• 1 tablespoon meringue powder
• 2 drops black gel food coloring
• 1 drop yellow gel food coloring

Buttercream Filling:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cup (156 grams) Domino Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) Domino Golden Sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 tablespoon milk or heavy cream

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (63 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) desiccated coconut, shredded

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Instructions

1. Prepare dry ingredients by meticulously sifting almond flour and powdered sugar together, ensuring a silky, uniform texture for impeccable macaron shells.
2. Create meringue by whisking egg whites and granulated sugar over gentle heat, then transfer to mixer. Whip until achieving glossy, stiff peaks with robust structure, approximately 10-15 minutes.
3. Incorporate dry ingredients into meringue using delicate folding technique. Aim for lava-like consistency where batter flows smoothly and figure 8 pattern dissolves gracefully without breaking.
4. Transfer batter to piping bag and precisely pipe uniform circles onto silicone baking mat. Tap trays firmly against countertop to eliminate potential air pockets, using toothpick to burst remaining bubbles.
5. Allow macaron shells to rest at room temperature, developing protective skin. Wait 30-45 minutes until surface becomes matte and gentle touch produces no residue.
6. Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake shells for 15-18 minutes, watching for signature ruffled feet and firm texture. Remove when centers appear set and surfaces look smooth.
7. Prepare royal icing, separating into distinct color batches for decorative elements. Carefully pipe black belt and yellow buckle details onto shell surfaces.
8. Craft buttercream by blending butter, sugars, vanilla, and almond extract until creamy. Adjust consistency with minimal milk if needed.
9. Assemble macarons by spreading buttercream on bottom shells, gently pressing decorated tops. Roll edges in desiccated coconut for festive, snow-like finish.

Notes

• Precision matters most when making macarons, so invest in a kitchen scale for accurate measurements and consistent results.
• Egg whites work best when separated a day ahead and left at room temperature, allowing them to whip more effectively and create stronger meringue structure.
• Coconut can be substituted with crushed white chocolate or powdered sugar for different textural and flavor variations, making the recipe adaptable to personal preferences.
• Humidity plays a critical role in macaron success, so avoid making these on rainy or overly humid days to prevent potential shell cracking or uneven texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 182
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg