Santa Claus Macarons: A Festive Treat for the Holidays
Short introduction
Santa Claus Macarons are delightful French cookies that embody the spirit of the holiday season. With their colorful decorations and festive flavors, these macarons are a perfect sweet treat for Christmas celebrations. Not only do they taste great, but they also add a merry touch to any holiday gathering.
Why you’ll love it
You’ll adore Santa Claus Macarons for many reasons. First, they are visually stunning and can impress guests at your holiday parties. Second, they combine classic macaron flavors with holiday themes, making them unique and enjoyable. Finally, these macarons can be made ahead of time, allowing you to prep for your holiday festivities without the last-minute rush.
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 ½ 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
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (63 grams)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
- ¼ cup Domino® Golden Sugar (50 grams)
- 1 ¼ cup Domino® Powdered Sugar (156 grams)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp almond extract
- ½ tbsp milk or heavy cream
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut (shredded, 50 grams)
Substitutions & key variations
If you want to make adjustments, you can substitute the almond flour with any other nut flour to cater to nut allergies. Use vanilla or another flavor extract in place of almond extract if desired. You can also modify the decorating style to suit other holiday themes, such as creating snowman macarons instead of Santa Claus.
Step-by-step
Step 1: Macaron Shells
- Begin by preparing your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the almond flour and powdered sugar together.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites. If using, add the egg white powder for additional stability.
- Gradually add in the Domino® Golden Sugar, continuing to beat until you form stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the flour mixture into the whipped egg whites until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
Step 2: Royal Icing
- In a bowl, combine the meringue powder and water to create a meringue.
- Gradually sift in the powdered sugar until you achieve a thick consistency.
- Separate some icing into different bowls for coloring. Use gel food coloring to create the desired shades.
Step 3: Decorate the shells
- Once the macaron shells are dry, use the colored royal icing to decorate them as festive Santa Claus faces.
- Use black gel food coloring for the eyes and a yellow drop for the nose.
Step 4: Sugar Cookie Buttercream
- In a mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter until it’s smooth.
- Gradually beat in the Golden Sugar and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla, almond extract, and milk or heavy cream to reach your desired buttercream consistency.
Step 5: Fill the Shells
- Once the macarons are decorated and dried, add a generous dollop of sugar cookie buttercream on the flat side of one shell.
- Gently press another macaron shell on top to sandwich the filling.
Success tips
- Ensure your egg whites are at room temperature for the best foaming results.
- Beat the egg whites properly until they form stiff peaks to give your macarons the perfect texture.
- Avoid opening the oven during baking to prevent cracks in your macarons, which can happen with temperature fluctuations.
How to serve
Serve Santa Claus Macarons on a festive platter with a warm cup of cocoa or coffee. They are great as holiday party favors or as sweet treats during your Christmas festivities.
Storage & reheating
Store the assembled macarons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for a month. When ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature to avoid sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these macarons ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the macaron shells in advance and fill them right before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to get smooth macaron shells?
A: Sifting the almond flour and powdered sugar helps eliminate lumps, ensuring smooth shells.
Q: How do I fix cracked macarons?
A: Cracks can be caused by overmixing or improper baking; monitor oven temperature and humidity.
Nutrition notes / equivalents
For those watching their sugar intake, consider replacing part of the sugar with a sugar substitute or adjusting the recipe’s sweetness to fit dietary needs.
Conclusion
Santa Claus Macarons are an incredibly festive addition to your holiday baking. They not only taste delicious but also look beautiful and can become a delightful centerpiece for your celebrations. Give this fun recipe a try and impress your family and friends with these charming treats!
Links to related recipes
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Peppermint Bark
- Eggnog Cupcakes
- Holiday Sugar Cookies
Santa Claus Macarons
Ingredients
Macaron Shells
- 100 grams Domino® Golden Sugar
- 4 grams egg white powder (optional)
- 100 grams egg whites
- 105 grams almond flour
- 105 grams Domino® Powdered Sugar
- 1.5 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
Buttercream Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
- ¼ cup Domino® Golden Sugar (50 grams)
- 1.25 cups Domino® Powdered Sugar (156 grams)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp almond extract
- ½ tbsp milk or heavy cream
Decoration
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut (shredded, 50 grams)
Others
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (63 grams)
Instructions
Macaron Shells
- Prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix almond flour and powdered sugar together in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and add egg white powder if using.
- Gradually add the Domino® Golden Sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the flour mixture into the whipped egg whites until well combined.
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets.
Royal Icing
- Combine the meringue powder and water in a bowl to create meringue.
- Sift in the powdered sugar gradually until a thick consistency is achieved.
- Separate some icing for coloring and use gel food coloring to achieve desired shades.
Decorate the shells
- Once the macaron shells are dry, use the colored royal icing to decorate them as Santa Claus faces.
- Use black gel food coloring for the eyes and a yellow drop for the nose.
Sugar Cookie Buttercream
- Cream the unsalted butter in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Gradually beat in the Golden Sugar and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla, almond extract, and milk or heavy cream to reach the desired consistency.
Fill the Shells
- Once decorated and dried, add a generous dollop of sugar cookie buttercream on the flat side of one shell.
- Press another shell on top to sandwich the filling.