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I love creating festive treats and these Santa Claus Macarons are my pride and joy during the holiday season. Picture this: bright red macarons decorated with tiny royal icing belts and buckles filled with the most amazing Sugar Cookie Buttercream and rolled in coconut to look like fluffy snow. Every time I make these everyone stops to take pictures before they devour them.
Why You'll Love These
These aren't just your average macarons they're little edible pieces of Christmas joy. The bright red shells catch everyone's eye and when they spot that adorable belt design their faces light up. Plus that sugar cookie filling takes them from cute to absolutely irresistible. They're so fun to make and even more fun to share.
Key Ingredients
- Almond Flour: Sift it twice trust me it makes the smoothest shells.
- Powdered Sugar: This gives us those perfectly glossy tops we're after.
- Egg Whites: Room temperature is key for the fluffiest peaks.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: Don't be shy with the color we want that perfect Santa red.
- Sugar Cookie Buttercream: Butter golden sugar and vanilla combine for that nostalgic cookie flavor.
- Royal Icing: This makes those crisp clean belt lines we need.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds that perfect snowy finish around the edges.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start with Your Shells
- Mix your sifted almond flour and sugar then carefully fold into those beautifully whipped egg whites. Add enough red coloring to make them vibrant. Pipe them onto your lined sheets and let them rest until they're dry to the touch about 1-2 hours then bake at 300°F.
- Whip Up the Filling
- Beat your butter until it's super fluffy add the golden sugar and vanilla until you've got the perfect cookie flavor. Keep tasting until it's just right.
- Create Santa's Belt
- Mix up your royal icing nice and thick pipe those neat little belts and buckles onto your cooled shells. Let them dry completely before moving on.
- Put It All Together
- Fill your macarons with generous dollops of that amazing buttercream sandwich them together then roll the edges in coconut for that magical snowy effect.
- The Final Touch
- Pop them in the fridge overnight I know it's hard to wait but they'll taste even better tomorrow.
Tips for Perfect Macarons
For that perfect Santa red I mix both gel and powder coloring. Don't rush the drying time especially on humid days I sometimes use a fan to help. And here's my secret let them rest in the fridge overnight the flavors get so much better and the texture becomes absolutely perfect.
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Creative Variations
- Switch Up the Filling: Sometimes I use cream cheese frosting or peppermint ganache they're both amazing.
- Play with Colors: Try holiday green or sparkly gold the belt design still works beautifully.
- Add Some Sparkle: A touch of edible glitter on the buckle makes them extra magical.
Festive Treat for Any Gathering
These little Santas are always the star of my holiday dessert table. They're perfect for cookie exchanges make adorable gifts and add such a special touch to Christmas morning breakfast. There's something about them that just makes people smile and isn't that what holiday treats are all about?
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Do I need egg white powder?
Only in humid climates above 30% humidity.
- → Why must shells rest longer?
Extra food coloring requires longer drying time.
- → Can I freeze these?
Yes, up to 2 months.
- → Why heat treat flour?
Makes it safe to eat in raw filling.
- → How long do they keep?
5 days refrigerated, 1-2 months frozen.