Santa Claus Macarons

Why Make This Recipe

Santa Claus Macarons are a fun and festive treat that brings holiday cheer to your dessert table. With their vibrant colors and adorable designs, these delightful cookies are perfect for Christmas gatherings. Making Santa Claus Macarons allows you to showcase your baking skills while creating a beautiful and tasty dessert that everyone will love.

How to Make Santa Claus Macarons

Ingredients:

• 100 grams Domino® Golden Sugar
• 4 grams egg white powder (optional, read notes)
• 100 grams egg whites
• 105 grams almond flour
• 105 grams Domino® Powdered Sugar
• 1 1/2 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
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (63 grams)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
• 1/4 cup Domino® Golden Sugar (50 grams)
• 1 1/4 cup Domino® Powdered Sugar (156 grams)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
• 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (shredded) (50 grams)

Directions:

1. Macaron Shells:

   • Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C).
   • In a bowl, mix the almond flour and powdered sugar together.
   • Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the Domino® Golden Sugar and continue whipping until you have a glossy, stiff meringue.
   • Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the meringue.
   • Pipe small circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
   • Let them sit for about 30-60 minutes until they form a skin.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

2. Royal Icing:

   • Combine meringue powder and powdered sugar in a bowl.
   • Add the water and mix until the icing is smooth and has a stiff consistency.

3. Decorate the Shells:

   • Use the royal icing to create faces for Santa Claus on the macaron shells. Add little eyes, a nose, and a smile.

4. Sugar Cookie Buttercream:

   • Cream together butter and Domino® Golden Sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth.

5. Fill the Shells:

   • Pipe the buttercream on the flat side of one macaron shell and top with another shell.

How to Serve Santa Claus Macarons

Serve your Santa Claus Macarons on a festive plate, perfect for holiday parties. You can place them alongside other holiday treats to create a beautiful dessert spread. They also make great gifts when packaged in a decorative box.

How to Store Santa Claus Macarons

Store your Santa Claus Macarons in an airtight container in the fridge. They can last for up to a week. For best results, keep the filling separate until you’re ready to serve, as this will help maintain the texture of the cookie.

Tips to Make Santa Claus Macarons

• Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature for better volume.
• Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together to avoid lumps.
• Be patient when letting the macaron shells form a skin; this is crucial for getting that perfect texture.
• Use a food scale for accurate measurements.

Variation

If you want to change things up, consider using different colors for the macaron shells or filling them with various flavors of buttercream, like peppermint or chocolate.

FAQs

1. Can I make macarons without egg white powder?
Yes, you can skip the egg white powder if you don’t have it. However, it helps to stabilize the meringue.

2. Why did my macarons crack?
Macarons may crack if they were not given enough time to form a skin before baking or if the oven temperature was too high.

3. Can I freeze macarons?
Yes, you can freeze macarons. Place them in an airtight container and store for up to three months. Just make sure to let them thaw in the fridge before serving.