Holiday Macaron Trees crafted with delicate layers of strawberry and matcha white chocolate ganache. A whimsical, festive treat perfect for any holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
- For the Macaron Shells:
- 120g almond flour
- 200g powdered sugar
- 100g egg whites, room temperature
- 50g granulated sugar
- Gel food coloring (green and pink)
- For the Ganache Filling:
- 150g white chocolate
- 50g heavy cream
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 50g strawberry puree
- For Decoration:
- Royal icing
- Edible glitter
- Sugar pearls
- Star-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Macaron Shells:
- Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then gradually add granulated sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue until the batter flows like lava. Divide the batter, tint one portion green and the other pink with food coloring.
- Pipe the batter into circles of varying sizes on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let them sit for 30 minutes until a skin forms.
- Bake at 150°C (300°F) for 12-14 minutes. Cool completely.
- Prepare the Ganache Filling:
- Heat the heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over white chocolate and let sit for a minute. Stir until smooth.
- Divide the ganache. Mix matcha powder into one portion and strawberry puree into the other. Chill until thickened.
- Assemble the Macaron Trees:
- Match similar-sized macaron shells. Pipe alternating layers of matcha and strawberry ganache to stack the macarons into tree shapes.
- Decorate:
- Pipe royal icing to resemble snow on the top macaron. Add sugar pearls, edible glitter, and a star sprinkle for the finishing touch.
Contents
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Helpful Tips for Perfect Holiday Macaron Trees
- Age the Egg Whites:
- For the best results, separate your egg whites a day before and let them sit in the fridge. Bring them to room temperature before whipping for a stronger, more stable meringue.
- Achieve the Perfect Macaronage:
- Fold the batter carefully to avoid overmixing. The batter should flow like thick lava and form a ribbon when lifted.
- Prevent Cracking:
- Allow the piped macaron batter to rest for at least 30-60 minutes. The skin formed during resting prevents cracks and ensures smooth tops.
- Use Gel Food Coloring:
- Gel-based coloring gives vibrant colors without altering the consistency of the batter.
- Chill the Ganache:
- Allow the ganache to cool and thicken before piping to maintain the tree shape.
- Decorate with Precision:
- Use a small piping tip for royal icing to add intricate details. Tweezers can help place sugar pearls and sprinkles neatly.
Substitutions and Variations for Holiday Macaron Trees with Strawberry & Matcha White Chocolate Ganache
Substitutions:
- Macaron Shells:
- Use almond flour substitutes like sunflower seed flour for a nut-free version.
- Replace food coloring with natural alternatives such as matcha powder for green or beet powder for pink.
- Ganache:
- Replace white chocolate with dark or milk chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Swap strawberry puree with raspberry or mango puree for a fruity twist.
- Decorations:
- Substitute royal icing with melted white chocolate for decorating the macaron trees.
- Use edible glitter or sugar crystals if sugar pearls are unavailable.
- Sweetener:
- Use honey or maple syrup in the ganache for a unique flavor, though it may slightly alter the texture.
- Filling Alternatives:
- Replace ganache with buttercream or cream cheese frosting for a different texture and flavor profile.
Variations:
- Flavorful Ganache Options:
- Peppermint Chocolate Ganache: Add peppermint extract to the white chocolate for a festive twist.
- Citrus Ganache: Add orange or lemon zest to the ganache for a zesty flavor.
- Color Themes:
- Create a wintery blue-and-white theme using blue food coloring and silver sugar pearls.
- Make a red-and-gold theme with red macarons and edible gold flakes.
- Seasonal Fruits:
- Use passion fruit, blackcurrant, or apricot for a seasonal variation in the ganache.
- Different Shapes:
- Pipe the macarons in star shapes for layered star trees instead of circles.
- Savory Twist:
- Add a hint of matcha salt or herbs like thyme to the ganache for a sweet-savory combination.
Frequently Asked Questions for Holiday Macaron Trees with Strawberry & Matcha White Chocolate Ganache
- Why are my macaron shells cracking?
- Cracking often occurs if the batter is over-mixed, or if the macarons didn’t rest long enough to form a skin before baking. Ensure the shells rest for at least 30-60 minutes until they are no longer sticky to the touch.
- How can I achieve the perfect macaron feet?
- Use room-temperature egg whites, sift your almond flour and powdered sugar, and ensure the batter consistency is correct. The baking tray should also be tapped on the counter to release air bubbles before resting.
- Can I use different food coloring?
- Yes, you can use gel or powdered food coloring. Avoid liquid food coloring as it can alter the batter’s consistency.
- How do I store the macarons?
- Store assembled macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze the unfilled macaron shells for up to 3 months.
- What can I do if my ganache is too runny?
- Chill the ganache in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to thicken it. If it’s still too runny, add more melted white chocolate to balance the consistency.
Embedded Recipes for Holiday Macaron Trees with Strawberry & Matcha White Chocolate Ganache
Here are some related recipes that perfectly complement your Holiday Macaron Trees:
- Macaron Christmas Tree
This guide shows how to create stunning macaron trees with festive colors and decorations. - How to Make Textured Christmas Tree Macarons
Learn techniques to add texture and layers to your macaron Christmas trees for a unique holiday twist. - Macaron Christmas Tree Recipe
A detailed tutorial for building elegant macaron trees that can be customized with various fillings and decorations.
Holiday Macaron Trees with Strawberry & Matcha Ganache
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 macaron trees 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Holiday Macaron Trees crafted with delicate layers of strawberry and matcha white chocolate ganache. A whimsical, festive treat perfect for any holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Macaron Shells:
- 120g almond flour
- 200g powdered sugar
- 100g egg whites, room temperature
- 50g granulated sugar
- Gel food coloring (green and pink)
- For the Ganache Filling:
- 150g white chocolate
- 50g heavy cream
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 50g strawberry puree
- For Decoration:
- Royal icing
- Edible glitter
- Sugar pearls
- Star-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Macaron Shells:
- Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then gradually add granulated sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue until the batter flows like lava. Divide the batter, tint one portion green and the other pink with food coloring.
- Pipe the batter into circles of varying sizes on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let them sit for 30 minutes until a skin forms.
- Bake at 150°C (300°F) for 12-14 minutes. Cool completely.
- Prepare the Ganache Filling:
- Heat the heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over white chocolate and let sit for a minute. Stir until smooth.
- Divide the ganache. Mix matcha powder into one portion and strawberry puree into the other. Chill until thickened.
- Assemble the Macaron Trees:
- Match similar-sized macaron shells. Pipe alternating layers of matcha and strawberry ganache to stack the macarons into tree shapes.
- Decorate:
- Pipe royal icing to resemble snow on the top macaron. Add sugar pearls, edible glitter, and a star sprinkle for the finishing touch.
Notes
- Use gel-based food coloring for vibrant hues without altering the batter consistency.
- Store assembled macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Holiday macarons, Christmas tree macarons, matcha white chocolate, festive desserts