Macaron Christmas Tree

This Macaron Christmas Tree is a festive and delicious twist on the classic French treat. By arranging colorful macarons into a tree shape and adding some edible decorations, you can create a beautiful holiday centerpiece that’s both eye-catching and sweet!

Ingredients:

For the Macaron Shells (as above):

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (green for the tree, optional red and white for ornaments)

For the Filling (as above):

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: Red and green food coloring (for festive filling)

For Decoration:

• Edible glitter or gold leaf
• Sprinkles (such as colored sugar or star-shaped confetti)
• Miniature edible pearls or candy ornaments
• Piping gel or melted chocolate for “tree trunk”

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Macaron Shells:
   • Follow the instructions above to make the macaron shells. Make sure to use green food coloring to color the batter for a festive tree effect.
   • If you’d like, tint some of the filling red or white for a variation of colors.
2. Pipe the Macarons:
   • Pipe the macarons as described in the previous recipe, ensuring that you create a lot of small macaron discs (1 to 1.5 inches in diameter).
   • Use green food coloring for the majority of the shells, but you can add red or white macarons to represent ornaments on your tree.
3. Bake and Cool:
   • Once you’ve piped all the macarons, let them sit for about 30–60 minutes to form a skin. Then, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 12–15 minutes. Allow them to cool completely.
4. Make the Filling:
   • Prepare the buttercream filling as described earlier. You can add food coloring to the filling, tinting it red or green if desired for added effect.
5. Assemble the Christmas Tree:
   • Once your macaron shells are cool, it’s time to assemble the tree!
   • Start by creating the tree base: arrange a larger circle of macarons at the bottom.
   • Build up the tree in layers, creating a cone shape with smaller circles of macarons on top of each other. Make sure each layer is slightly smaller than the one beneath it to form a pyramid-like shape.
6. Add the Decorations:
   • Use edible glitter, colored sprinkles, or miniature edible pearls to decorate the tree. You can place these decorations on top of the macaron shells to mimic Christmas tree ornaments.
   • For extra flair, pipe a star shape with icing or melted chocolate on top of the tree for a “tree topper.”
7. Add the Trunk:
   • To create a tree trunk, pipe a bit of melted chocolate or piping gel in the center of the base layer. You can even pipe a small rectangle of chocolate and attach it as a “trunk.”
8. Serve or Store:
   • Let the tree rest for a few hours to ensure the filling sets inside the macaron shells. Store the macaron tree in an airtight container, preferably in the fridge, until ready to serve. Bring it to room temperature before displaying or serving.

Tips for Success:

• Layering the Tree: Make sure each layer of macarons is spaced close enough to stay in place, but not so tight that they squish.
• Creative Ornaments: Try using small candies, mini chocolate chips, or colorful edible pearls as ornaments.
• Custom Colors: You can tint the macaron shells and fillings in a variety of colors to create a custom look for your holiday tree. Red, gold, white, and silver are great for a more traditional look, while vibrant colors work well for a modern take on the design.

This Macaron Christmas Tree will not only be a fun project but also an elegant and tasty showstopper at any holiday gathering. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, flavor, and festive cheer!