Name: Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 120g almond flour (finely ground); 120g powdered sugar; 90g egg whites (about 3 large eggs, aged at room temperature); 100g granulated sugar; Gel food coloring: red, green, white; Optional: edible glitter, snowflake stencils, royal icing for decorating; 150g unsalted butter, softened; 250g powdered sugar; 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract or peppermint extract (optional for holiday flavor)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 126 reviews

If you’re looking to dazzle your loved ones this season with a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, then this Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how these macarons come out — delicate, colorful, and packed with festive flavor that just screams holiday cheer. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked and maybe even dreaming about these little gems long after Christmas!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Festive Flavors: The peppermint or vanilla buttercream gives these macarons that cozy holiday vibe everyone craves.
Beautiful & Customizable: You can get creative with colors, glitter, and decorations, making them a real showstopper on any dessert tray.
Light & Delightful Texture: Crisp outside, chewy inside—macarons done right always impress.
Step-by-Step Success: I share my tried-and-true tips to help you nail this recipe even if you’re new to macarons.

The image shows a white plate filled with colorful macarons arranged closely together on a white marbled surface. The macarons have three main colors: white with small green holly leaves and red berries on top, smooth red with a few sprinkled crumbs, and pale green with a rougher texture and some gold flakes. Some macarons are facing flat, displaying their round tops, while others show the side, revealing two smooth cookie layers sandwiching creamy filling. The overall look is festive, bright, and textured, with a mix of smooth and slightly rough surfaces. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday Christmas Macarons, Christmas macarons recipe, festive macarons, holiday dessert ideas, colorful holiday treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe lies in quality ingredients working together — from finely ground almond flour to the smooth buttercream filling. Here’s what you’ll want on hand and a few tips to make sure you get the best results.

Flat lay of a medium white ceramic bowl filled with finely ground almond flour, a small white ceramic bowl with powdered sugar, three whole large eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl containing granulated sugar, three small white ceramic bowls each holding vivid red, green, and white gel food coloring, a medium white ceramic bowl with softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Holiday Christmas Macarons, Christmas macarons recipe, festive macarons, holiday dessert ideas, colorful holiday treats

Almond flour: Make sure it’s finely ground and sifted, so your shells come out super smooth without any bumps.
Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that delicate texture in the shell and filling.
Egg whites: Use aged egg whites for a stable meringue—this trick really makes a difference in texture.
Granulated sugar: Slowly adding this while beating the meringue helps build that signature glossy peak.
Gel food coloring: The concentrated color lets you get vibrant reds and greens without watering down the batter.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter is key for a creamy buttercream that spreads nicely.
Heavy cream or milk: Adding cream gives the buttercream the perfect silky consistency.
Vanilla or peppermint extract: Peppermint is a personal fave for the holidays, but vanilla works beautifully too.
Optional decorations: Edible glitter and snowflake stencils make your macarons look extra festive.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe is, so feel free to switch things up based on what you enjoy or have on hand. Playing around with flavors and decorations can make these macarons your own special signature dessert.

Peppermint Buttercream: My family goes crazy for the addition of peppermint extract — it immediately brings a festive minty freshness.
Chocolate Filling: Substitute buttercream with a rich ganache if you want something a bit more decadent.
Colored Shells: Try only red and white for a classic candy cane look, or green and white for a winter wonderland vibe.
Dietary Modifications: You can experiment with egg white substitutes if needed, but be warned that macarons rely heavily on meringue for texture.

How to Make Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients and Egg Whites

Start by sifting your almond flour and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps — this sets the foundation for smooth shells. I like to discard any big bits left behind to avoid rough textures. Don’t skip aging your egg whites! Leaving them covered in the fridge for 24–48 hours, then bringing them to room temp, really improves the meringue. I used to wonder why my shells cracked, but this trick made a huge difference.

Step 2: Whip Up the Meringue

Use a clean, grease-free bowl to beat your egg whites. Once they get foamy, slowly add your granulated sugar a spoonful at a time while mixing on medium speed. Patience here pays off — crank the mixer to high speed once all sugar’s added and beat until you get stiff, glossy peaks that hold shape without drooping. Add your gel food coloring at this point and gently fold it in. I always do a test squeeze with my piping bag to ensure the color looks just right before moving on.

Step 3: Macaronage — Folding Batter to Perfection

This part confused me most when I first started making macarons. The key is gently folding the almond flour mixture into the meringue without knocking out all the air. You want the batter to flow off your spatula like thick ribbons and smooth out on their own within 10–15 seconds. Overmixing can turn the batter runny, and undermixing means your shells won’t develop the right texture. Watch the batter closely — once it reaches this texture, it’s ready to pipe.

Step 4: Pipe, Tap, and Rest

Transfer your batter into a piping bag fitted with a plain round tip and pipe about 1.5-inch rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets. I find spacing them well helps prevent merging. After piping each tray, give the sheet 4-5 firm taps on the counter — this pops those pesky air bubbles that can cause cracking. Then comes the waiting game: let your shells rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes until they develop a dry “skin” on top. You’ll know they’re ready when you can touch the surface lightly and it doesn’t stick to your finger.

Step 5: Baking to Crisp Perfection

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake the macarons one tray at a time for about 12–15 minutes. Depending on your oven, rotate the tray halfway through to ensure even baking—it’s a little trick I discovered after a few batches. The macarons are done when they no longer wobble and lift cleanly off the paper. Let them cool completely before you try to remove them to avoid cracking.

Step 6: Make the Buttercream Filling

Beat your softened unsalted butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, blending well after each addition. Pour in your heavy cream or milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. I love adding a splash of peppermint extract here for that holiday kick, but vanilla works just as well. Whip the buttercream a bit more to get it fluffy and ready for sandwiching.

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate

Pair your macaron shells by size, then pipe a small dollop of buttercream onto one shell and sandwich with its partner. Decorating is my favorite part—I often use royal icing with snowflake stencils or sprinkle edible glitter to add sparkle. These little touches make them irresistible. After assembling, I recommend storing the macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours to let flavors meld — it truly makes a difference.

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Pro Tips for Making Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe

Age Your Egg Whites: Letting egg whites rest in the fridge overnight reduces moisture and helps build a stronger meringue.
Don’t Skip the Resting Period: That dry skin is crucial to prevent cracks and get the iconic macaron “feet.” I’ve skipped this step before and learned the hard way.
Use Gel Food Coloring Only: Powdered or liquid colors can mess with the batter consistency, but gels keep the batter thick and vibrant.
Be Precise with Measurements: Using a kitchen scale takes the guesswork out and ensures your macarons turn out consistent every time.

How to Serve Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe

Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love dressing these macarons up with edible glitter and royal icing snowflake designs — it makes them feel truly special and festive. Sometimes I add tiny fondant holly leaves and berries, they look adorable and add a pop of holiday color. These little details always get compliments and are great conversation starters.

Side Dishes

Serve these macarons alongside a cup of rich hot cocoa or peppermint-spiced coffee to highlight those holiday flavors. They also pair wonderfully with a cheese platter if you want to mix savory and sweet delights for your guests.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these is on tiered dessert stands surrounded by fresh pine sprigs and cranberries — it instantly elevates the whole holiday table. For gifts, I package them neatly in festive boxes with transparent lids so the pretty colors shine through. It never fails to impress friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After assembling, store your macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I’ve found they hold up beautifully and even get tastier as the flavors blend. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving so the buttercream softens just right.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, macarons freeze wonderfully. I freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight and bring to room temp before serving. This method keeps texture and flavor intact.

Reheating

Macarons aren’t really reheated but always serve at room temperature. For best texture, remove from fridge about 30 minutes before enjoying. This helps the buttercream soften and the shells regain their perfect chewiness without losing their delicate crisp edges.

FAQs

Can I skip aging the egg whites?

You can skip the aging if you’re short on time, but I’ve found that aging egg whites for 24-48 hours in the fridge makes your meringue more stable and produces better shells. It’s a simple step that really improves textures and reduces cracking.
How do I know if my macaron batter is mixed correctly?

The batter should flow off your spatula in a thick, continuous ribbon and smooth out on its own within 10-15 seconds. If it’s too stiff, it won’t pipe nicely, and if it’s too runny, your macarons will spread too much while baking.
Why do my macarons crack or have no feet?

Cracking often happens if the shells don’t form a dry skin before baking or if the oven temperature is too high. Also, not aging your egg whites or overmixing the batter can mess with texture. Resting the shells for 30 to 60 minutes before baking helps develop that perfect foot and smooth texture.
Can I use powdered food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is best because it won’t alter the batter’s consistency. Powdered or liquid colors can add unwanted moisture or dryness, risking the delicate balance needed for macarons to bake correctly.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Christmas Macarons Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen during the festive season. Baking them has become a treasured ritual that fills my home with warmth and anticipation. I hope you give it a try and enjoy the process as much as the beautiful, tasty result! Whether you’re gifting them or serving at your own holiday party, these macarons will definitely put a smile on everyone’s face—and isn’t that what the holidays are all about?