Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

When the holidays roll around, I always find myself craving something extra special something that feels a little whimsical, a little nostalgic, and a lot festive. That’s exactly how these Christmas Tree Cake Macarons were born. They’re light, chewy, filled with creamy vanilla buttercream, and decorated just like those iconic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes we all grew up with.

This article will walk you through everything you need to make them from scratch: the key ingredients for perfect macarons, decorating tips, flavor variations, and even what to pair them with for the ultimate holiday treat tray. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or this is your first time piping macarons, I’ve got you covered with my foolproof method tested through real mom-life kitchen chaos.

We’ll also answer popular questions like: What are the key ingredients for macarons? How do you decorate them to look like Christmas trees? And if you’re feeling adventurous, I’ll share a few other festive holiday macaron flavors to try this season.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know

• Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are inspired by nostalgic holiday snack cakes.
• You only need 5 key ingredients for perfect macaron shells.
• Decorate with zig-zag icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter for a tree cake look.
• Fillings can be buttercream, whipped ganache, or marshmallow fluff.
• These holiday macarons make a great edible gift or cookie exchange treat.
• Pairs beautifully with other holiday bakes like hot chocolate cookies and cranberry pistachio shortbread.

The Story Behind My Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

Why I Turned a Childhood Treat into a Holiday Macaron Recipe

It started one chilly December morning last year when I was packing snacks for my kids’ school holiday party. I tossed a box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into the bag, and instantly, a wave of memories hit me. You know the ones grandma’s house, twinkling lights, sticky fingers from eating those soft, vanilla cakes with the crunchy sugar icing. Magic.

But as someone who bakes for comfort, joy, and sometimes therapy (let’s be honest!), I wanted to recreate that experience with a little more flair. Something special enough for a cookie swap, but familiar enough to make everyone smile.

So I opened my macaron notebook a real thing I keep because #momlife means I forget everything otherwise and got to work. After a few failed batches (and a sugar-dusted kitchen disaster), I finally found the right balance of texture, flavor, and decoration.

And let me tell you, when I saw my daughter’s eyes light up after biting into one of these Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, I knew this recipe would become part of our holiday tradition.

What Makes These Christmas Macaroons So Special?

These aren’t just pretty cookies for your Instagram feed. They’re a true holiday experience in a bite: airy almond shells that crackle just slightly before giving way to a soft center, all wrapped around a vanilla buttercream that tastes like a frosted tree cake dream.

What sets them apart?

• The look. Think zigzag white icing, red sanding sugar, and sparkly green shimmer.
• The filling. It’s a whipped vanilla bean buttercream with just enough salt to keep things balanced.
• The flavor memory. One bite, and you’re five years old again, sitting by the tree with sticky fingers and a hot cocoa mustache.

These holiday macaroons are made for cookie trays, classroom parties, and those quiet evenings when you’re hiding from your family with a cookie in one hand and wine in the other (no judgment).

What Are the Key Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

To make perfect Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, you only need five basic ingredients but the quality and technique make all the difference. French macarons can be intimidating at first, but once you understand why each element matters, the process becomes much more manageable.

What are the key ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are made from almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites, granulated sugar, and food coloring. These five ingredients create that iconic light, chewy texture that defines a good macaron.

Here’s why each one matters:

When making Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, I always sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together three times. It feels extra, I know but this step gives you that picture-perfect smooth shell. Trust me, it’s worth the mess.

Do I need anything special for the filling?

You don’t need anything fancy, but the filling is where the “cake” part of Christmas Tree Cake Macarons shines. I use a simple vanilla bean buttercream inspired by those soft snack cakes we all love. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Unsalted butter (room temp)
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• Pinch of salt
• Heavy cream

Beat the butter until fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar and beat until light and airy. The vanilla bean paste gives it that nostalgic bakery cake flavor. Add a touch of salt to keep it from being too sweet it balances the richness beautifully.

Bonus tip: Want an even more authentic tree cake vibe? Add a tablespoon of marshmallow fluff to the buttercream and blend. It gives that soft, sticky sweetness you remember from the original.

Are holiday macaroons hard to make?

They can be… if you rush. The secret to great Christmas Tree Cake Macarons isn’t in some fancy technique it’s in patience.

Here’s a breakdown of the macaron success steps I swear by:

• Room-temperature egg whites: Cold eggs won’t whip properly.
• Use a kitchen scale: Macarons need exact measurements.
• Rest your piped shells: Let them sit 30–45 minutes before baking. This helps form that signature “foot” at the bottom.
• Oven thermometer: Oven temp must be precise mine is always 300°F.

Why are these perfect for holiday trays?

Because Christmas Tree Cake Macarons combine the best of both worlds: nostalgia and elegance. They’re fun enough for kids and stunning enough for holiday dessert platters.

I like pairing them with other festive favorites like my hot chocolate cookies and cranberry pistachio shortbread for a gorgeous color contrast.

They also make fantastic edible gifts. I’ve boxed them up with a little crinkle paper and ribbon for neighbors, and you’d think I handed them a Tiffany box the way they reacted.

How to Decorate Christmas Tree Cake Macarons Like a Pro

The best part of Christmas Tree Cake Macarons? Decorating them to look just like the nostalgic snack cakes we all grew up on. It’s easier than you think and honestly, it’s a blast. This is the moment where your cookies go from basic to breathtaking think bakery display case meets childhood magic.

How to decorate Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

To decorate Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, you’ll need a few key ingredients and tools:

What You’ll Need:

• White candy melts or royal icing (for the signature zigzag)
• Red sanding sugar
• Green edible glitter or shimmer spray
• Optional: star sprinkles or gold dragées for a tree-topper look

Start by matching up your macaron shells in pairs. After filling them with vanilla buttercream, pipe a zigzag line across the top of each cookie just like the classic cakes. While the icing is still wet, dust them with red sanding sugar.

For an extra sparkle that screams Christmas macaroons, spray them lightly with edible glitter or shimmer spray. It catches the light and makes them look frosty and magical.

Here’s my little trick: I decorate only one side of the macaron (the top shell) before sandwiching them. That way, the decorations stay crisp and beautiful, and there’s no smudging while assembling.

Can I involve the kids in decorating these holiday macaroons?

Yes, and they’ll love it! My youngest called them “tiny Christmas trees you can eat” and insisted on putting star sprinkles on top of each one. Decorating Christmas Tree Cake Macarons is a great way to involve kids in holiday baking without needing to bake a full cake.

If you’re making these for a cookie decorating party, prep the shells and buttercream ahead of time, and set up a decorating station. Let each kid decorate their own with sprinkles and icing. It’s way less mess than traditional cookie decorating, and they get to leave with their own mini dessert masterpiece.

How do I store decorated macarons without ruining the look?

Once your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are decorated and filled, place them in a single layer in an airtight container. If stacking is necessary, add parchment paper between layers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze undecorated shells and fill later for best results.

Bonus tip: For cookie exchanges or teacher gifts, pack them in mini cupcake liners inside small holiday tins. Add a ribbon and handwritten tag they’ll look (and taste) like something from a boutique bakery.

And remember: Don’t stress about making them perfect. Part of the holiday charm is in the handmade look. Every zigzag, every sprinkle, every sparkle tells a story.

What Are Other Festive Christmas Macaron Flavors?

If you’re already making Christmas Tree Cake Macarons, why stop there? Once you’ve nailed the basic shell and filling process, it’s easy to explore other fun and festive flavors that belong right beside them on the cookie tray.

Whether you’re creating a macaron box to gift, prepping for a holiday bake sale, or just spoiling your family, here are some of the best Christmas macaroon flavors to try this year.

What are the best Christmas macaron flavors to pair with tree cake macarons?

Here are my top tried-and-true holiday macaron recipes that pair beautifully with Christmas Tree Cake Macarons:

Want to add even more variety to your box? Try including Muddy Buddies or my buttery Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies as cozy, crunchy companions.

And yes if you’re feeling tropical and brave, a mango sticky rice-inspired macaron with coconut milk buttercream is surprisingly festive when dusted with edible gold.

Can I turn Christmas Tree Cake Macarons into other shapes or designs?

Absolutely. While the classic round shape works great, I’ve seen people pipe these into tree shapes using a small star tip, or even sandwich them with a tiny star on top. Just be mindful of consistency odd shapes may bake unevenly if not piped precisely.

You can also color your batter two shades of green and swirl them together to mimic tree frosting. Add sparkle with edible glitter for that “frosted pine” look winter macarons never looked so dreamy.

Real-life review: “I made these for my daughter’s holiday party…”

“I made the Christmas Tree Cake Macarons for my daughter’s third grade holiday party, and they were the first to disappear. One mom actually pulled me aside and asked where I bought them. When I told her I made them myself, her jaw dropped. Thank you, Lora, for this recipe it made me feel like a rockstar!”
Amber W., mom of 3, Portland, OR

This is why I do what I do. These aren’t just cookies they’re memories in the making.

How to Assemble & Store Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

Assembling Christmas Tree Cake Macarons doesn’t have to be complicated but it does take a little patience. I’ll walk you through each step to help you avoid the common pitfalls (like cracked shells or sliding fillings), and I’ll share my storage tips to keep your holiday macaroons fresh and fabulous for gifting or serving later.

How do I assemble Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

1. Pair your macaron shells:
   Once your shells are baked and cooled, line them up by size. Even the most precise piping can leave you with a few oddballs just pair similar-sized shells together for that polished sandwich effect.
2. Pipe the filling:
   Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped), pipe a generous dollop of your vanilla buttercream onto one side. I usually do a small swirl in the center to leave room for natural squish when you sandwich them.
3. Press gently:
   Top with the matching shell and press lightly, just until the filling spreads to the edges. Don’t squish too hard or you’ll risk cracking that delicate shell.
4. Decorate (if not done already):
   If you didn’t decorate your tops beforehand, now’s the time to zigzag your white icing and dust with red sanding sugar. Add a shimmer spray if you’re feeling festive.

Pro tip: Let your assembled Christmas Tree Cake Macarons rest in the fridge for at least 12–24 hours before serving. This allows the filling to “mature” the shells and creates that luxurious chewy texture.

How should I store Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

Storage is key to making these ahead of time and still serving them at their peak. Here’s what I do:

• Short-term:
  Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Layer with parchment paper to protect decorations.
• Freezer:
  Undecorated shells freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Just freeze in single layers, then thaw at room temperature before filling and decorating.
• Room temp for serving:
  Always let your holiday macaroons come to room temp before serving (about 30 minutes). That way, you get the perfect texture contrast crisp outside, soft center, creamy filling.

Bonus tip: For cookie boxes or holiday platters, pack them in mini cupcake liners so they don’t stick to each other or smear the icing.

Why is rest time so important for holiday macarons?

Because macarons need that short “aging” window to develop flavor and texture. Even your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons with their nostalgic sweetness and buttercream center benefit from a little patience.

I usually make my shells on a Thursday night, fill them Friday, and serve them Saturday or Sunday. They’re still just as delicious on day four if they even last that long.

Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

These Christmas Tree Cake Macarons are festive French macarons inspired by nostalgic holiday snack cakes. Light almond shells are filled with vanilla buttercream and decorated with zigzag icing, red sanding sugar, and edible glitter for a magical Christmas dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 24 macarons

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Calories: 140

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 100 g egg whites, room temperature
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 100 g almond flour, finely sifted
• 100 g powdered sugar
• green gel food coloring
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar (for filling)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• pinch of salt
• white icing or candy melts
• red sanding sugar
• edible glitter or shimmer spray

Equipment

• digital kitchen scale
• stand or hand mixer
• fine mesh sieve
• piping bags and round tip
• baking sheets
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together 2–3 times until very fine.
2. In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
3. Fold dry ingredients and green food coloring into the meringue using the figure-8 method until batter ribbons slowly.
4. Pipe 1.5-inch circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets and tap trays to release air bubbles.
5. Let shells rest for 30–45 minutes until dry to the touch.
6. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 14–15 minutes. Cool completely before filling.
7. Beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt, then beat until light and smooth.
8. Pipe buttercream onto one shell and sandwich with another.
9. Decorate tops with white icing zigzags, red sanding sugar, and edible glitter.
10. Chill assembled macarons overnight for best texture before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 120IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

For best texture, chill assembled macarons for 12–24 hours before serving. Use gel food coloring only, and always weigh ingredients for accuracy. Undecorated shells freeze well for up to 2 months.

Tried this recipe?

Mention @Cheflorarecipes or tag #cheflorarecipes!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Macarons for Maximum Holiday Wow

You’ve baked, filled, and decorated your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons now let’s talk about how to serve them like a holiday hero. Whether it’s a cookie exchange, teacher gift, or centerpiece for your Christmas table, the way you present these winter macarons can turn them into a show-stopping treat.

How do I style Christmas Tree Cake Macarons on a dessert board?

Dessert boards are my go-to for casual holiday parties or family gatherings. They’re easy, impressive, and everyone loves having options.

Here’s how I build mine:

Holiday Dessert Board Must-Haves:

Place your Christmas Tree Cake Macarons right in the center or cluster them in a small dish. Use festive greenery, gold sprinkles, or ribbon for extra visual impact. If you’re going for cozy-casual, serve everything on a large cutting board or marble slab.

Can I gift Christmas Tree Cake Macarons?

Absolutely and you should! These holiday macaroons are the kind of homemade gift that looks luxe but feels personal.

How to Package for Gifting:

• Place macarons in mini cupcake liners inside a cookie tin or bakery box.
• Add tissue paper or parchment for cushioning.
• Slip in a handwritten tag with the flavor (bonus points for a cute pun like “Tree-mendously sweet!”).
• Tie with baker’s twine or a satin ribbon.

I often give these as part of a “cozy kit” with a mug, a pack of hot cocoa mix, and maybe a few muddy buddies in a jar. It’s a sweet little bundle of joy.

What drinks go well with Christmas macarons?

Let’s talk pairings because Christmas Tree Cake Macarons deserve something delicious to sip alongside.

Favorite Holiday Pairings:

• Hot cocoa: Classic, creamy, and perfect for kids and grownups.
• Chai latte: Warm spices play beautifully with vanilla buttercream.
• Eggnog: If you’re feeling bold go full holiday mode.
• Sparkling cider or Prosecco: Great for parties and toasts.

If you’re serving at a party, set up a little “cookie and cocoa” bar. Your guests can grab a macaron and pour their favorite warm drink. It’s cozy, interactive, and very Instagrammable.

Full Recipe, Troubleshooting for Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

Whether it’s your first time making macarons or your tenth holiday cookie swap, this recipe is here to actually work. I’ve tested it through chaotic mom-kitchen moments, Oregon rainstorms, and the occasional impatient toddler. So yes, it’s solid.

Christmas Tree Cake Macarons – Full Recipe

Ingredients for Macaron Shells:

• 100g egg whites, room temp
• 100g granulated sugar
• 100g almond flour, finely sifted
• 100g powdered sugar
• Green gel food coloring

For Vanilla Tree Cake Filling:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or pure extract)
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

Decorations:

• White icing or candy melts
• Red sanding sugar
• Edible glitter or shimmer spray

Instructions:

1. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together 2–3 times.
2. In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Slowly add sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
3. Fold in dry ingredients and green coloring using the “figure 8” method. Batter should slowly ribbon off the spatula.
4. Pipe 1.5-inch circles on parchment-lined tray. Tap tray to release bubbles.
5. Rest for 30–45 minutes until shells are dry to the touch.
6. Bake at 300°F for 14–15 minutes. Cool fully.
7. Pipe buttercream onto one shell and sandwich with another.
8. Decorate tops with white icing zigzag, red sanding sugar, and optional glitter.
9. Chill assembled macarons overnight for best texture.

Troubleshooting Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

Remember: Even if they’re not perfect, they’re still delicious and you made them. That’s holiday magic in itself.

FAQ About Christmas Tree Cake Macarons

Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Be a Pastry Chef

You just need a little time, a little grace, and a whole lot of holiday spirit. Christmas Tree Cake Macarons aren’t about perfection. They’re about creating something memorable, cozy, and joy-filled.

From one busy mom to another: you’ve got this.