Magical Peppermint Macarons Recipe: Sweet Winter Elegance

Sweet whispers of peppermint macarons dance through kitchens, promising delicate moments of pure bliss.

These elegant French treats combine delicate almond shells with cool, refreshing mint.

Biting into a crisp meringue cookie that melts softly on your tongue.

Delicate yet sophisticated, each macaron tells a story of culinary craftsmanship.

Pastry chefs adore these little morsels for their intricate technique and stunning presentation.

Precision matters when crafting these magical confections that look like edible jewels.

Gather your ingredients and let’s create something extraordinary that will impress everyone at the table.

Why Peppermint Macarons Taste So Refreshing

• Master Delicate French Pastry: Create elegant peppermint macarons that showcase advanced baking skills with beautiful, professional-looking results that wow friends and family.
• Indulge in Festive Holiday Flavor: Enjoy a perfect winter treat combining refreshing peppermint with delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that captures classic holiday spirit in every delightful bite.
• Craft Gourmet Restaurant-Quality Dessert: Transform simple ingredients into sophisticated French cookies with intricate techniques that deliver stunning visual appeal and complex flavor profile without requiring professional pastry training.
• Experience Texture Sensation: Delight in the unique contrast between crisp, delicate macaron shell and creamy, smooth buttercream filling that creates an extraordinary sensory experience with each carefully constructed bite.

What You Need For Peppermint Macarons

• Almond Flour, Powdered Sugar: Fine, sifted dry ingredients provide the base structure and delicate texture of macaron shells. Look for blanched, finely ground almond flour for smooth results.
• Egg Whites: Crucial for creating the light, airy meringue that gives macarons their signature texture. Fresh, room temperature eggs work best.
• Granulated Sugar: Stabilizes and sweetens the egg white meringue, creating glossy, stiff peaks.

• Peppermint Extract: Provides the signature cool, refreshing mint flavor. Choose pure extract for the most intense taste.
• Red Gel Food Coloring: Adds festive pink or red color to the macaron shells. Gel coloring is preferred as it won't alter the meringue's consistency.

• Butter, Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream: Key components for creating a smooth, creamy peppermint buttercream filling. Use softened, high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Peppermint Extract: Intensifies the mint flavor in the buttercream. Can be adjusted to taste.
• Crushed Candy Canes: Optional garnish that adds a crunchy, festive mint element to the macarons.

How To Make Peppermint Macarons The Easy Way

Step 1: Create Magical Macaron Base

Grab your almond flour and powdered sugar. Sift them together into a large mixing bowl, making sure to discard any stubborn chunks. This will give your macarons that silky-smooth texture everyone loves.

Step 2: Whip Up Fluffy Cloud Meringue

In a spotless mixing bowl, start beating egg whites until they look like soft foam. Slowly sprinkle in granulated sugar while continuing to whip. Keep beating until the mixture transforms into glossy, stiff peaks that stand up proudly.

Step 3: Infuse Minty Magic

Splash in the peppermint extract and add a touch of red gel food coloring. Watch your meringue come alive with festive holiday spirit!

Step 4: Master The Delicate Fold

Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the meringue. Use a spatula and fold with care. You’re looking for a batter that flows like luscious lava and creates a ribbon when dripped.

Step 5: Pipe Perfect Circles

• Keep circles small
• Space them evenly
• Aim for consistent size

Step 6: Let Shells Rest And Develop

• Wait 30-60 minutes
• Look for a dry, matte skin forming
• Resist touching them

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Preheat oven to 300F. Bake macarons until they lift cleanly from the paper. Cool completely before handling.

Step 8: Craft Creamy Peppermint Filling

• Powdered sugar
• Peppermint extract
• Heavy cream

Optional: Crush candy canes for extra crunch

Step 9: Assemble Delightful Sandwich Cookies

Pair matching macaron shells. Pipe buttercream between two shells, creating delicate sandwich cookies.

Step 10: Develop Deep Flavor

Refrigerate assembled macarons for 24 hours. This magical resting period allows flavors to mingle and develop incredible depth. Serve at room temperature for the ultimate taste experience.

Useful Tips For Peppermint Macarons That Work

• Master Sifting Technique: Sift almond flour and powdered sugar meticulously to ensure smooth, lump-free macaron shells with perfect texture.
• Whip Egg Whites Precisely: Beat egg whites at medium-high speed, adding sugar gradually to create stable, glossy meringue that guarantees crisp macaron tops.
• Control Macaronage Consistency: Fold dry ingredients gently into meringue, watching for lava-like flow that drops in ribbons, preventing overmixing and maintaining delicate structure.
• Rest Shells Strategically: Allow piped macarons to develop a dry skin at room temperature, which creates signature crisp exterior and prevents cracking during baking.
• Flavor Amplification Trick: Enhance peppermint buttercream by adding crushed candy canes for extra crunch and intense minty flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.

How To Store Peppermint Macarons So They Stay Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store peppermint macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual macarons tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months to preserve their crisp shells and creamy filling.
• Thaw Carefully: Remove macarons from the freezer and let them defrost in the refrigerator for several hours. Transfer to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving to restore their perfect texture and flavor.
• Serve Fresh: For the best taste and texture, consume macarons within a week of making. Avoid leaving them at room temperature for extended periods to prevent softening of the shells.

Drinks And Desserts To Go With Peppermint Macarons

• Pair with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Brew a rich, creamy hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint schnapps. The warm, velvety drink complements the delicate macaron shells and enhances the cool peppermint flavor.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a small portion of smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the macarons. The creamy, cold dessert provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet, minty macaron.
• Match with Sparkling White Wine: Select a crisp, slightly sweet sparkling white wine like Moscato d'Asti. The light, bubbly texture and subtle sweetness perfectly balance the intense peppermint and delicate macaron texture.
• Accompany with Mint Tea: Steep a cup of fresh mint tea to echo the peppermint notes in the macarons. The herbal, soothing drink cleanses the palate and enhances the mint flavor profile.

Peppermint Macarons Variations You’ll Love

• Chocolate Peppermint Crunch: Replace half the buttercream with melted dark chocolate, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies between macaron shells for extra texture and intense flavor.
• White Chocolate Mint Fusion: Swap buttercream with white chocolate ganache infused with peppermint extract, creating a smoother, richer filling that complements the delicate shell.
• Candy Cane Swirl: Add green gel food coloring to half the macaron batter, creating a marbled effect. Fill with peppermint buttercream and garnish with finely chopped candy cane pieces for festive flair.
• Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint: After assembling macarons, partially dip each sandwich in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies for an elegant, decadent finish.

Peppermint Macarons FAQs Made Simple

• Why are my macaron shells cracking?

Cracking can happen due to overmixing the batter, not letting the shells rest before baking, or incorrect oven temperature. Make sure to fold gently and let shells develop a skin before baking.

• How do I know if my macaron batter is the right consistency?

The batter should flow like lava and create a ribbon that disappears into the mixture within 30 seconds when dropped from the spatula. If it’s too thick, continue folding gently.

• Can I make macarons without almond flour?

Almond flour is crucial for traditional macarons. While some alternatives like ground sunflower seeds exist, they won’t provide the same texture and taste as classic almond flour macarons.

• Why didn't my egg whites form stiff peaks?

Ensure your mixing bowl is completely clean and free from any oil or grease. Use room temperature eggs and add sugar gradually while beating to help stabilize the meringue.

Peppermint Macarons Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Delicate French “Peppermint Macarons” melt hearts with their crisp almond shells and silky mint filling. Parisian pastry magic meets holiday cheer in this elegant treat perfect for winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 100 g (1 cup) almond flour, finely sifted
• 70 g (⅓ cup) egg whites, at room temperature
• 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
• 100 g (45 cup) powdered sugar

Filling Ingredients:

• 112 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) powdered sugar
• ½ tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Flavoring and Decoration:

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (to taste)
• Red gel food coloring
• Crushed candy canes (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft a pristine workspace by meticulously sifting almond flour and powdered sugar together, ensuring a uniform, lump-free mixture. Eliminate any coarse remnants trapped in the sieve.
2. Sanitize a mixing vessel and whip egg whites using an electric mixer until they transform into a frothy texture. Incrementally introduce granulated sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture achieves glossy, rigid peaks.
3. Infuse the whipped meringue with peppermint extract, then delicately incorporate a hint of red gel coloring to create a soft blush or vibrant crimson hue.
4. Execute the macaronage technique by gently folding dry ingredients into the meringue. Maneuver the spatula with precision, blending until the batter mimics molten lava and gracefully ribbons when dripped.
5. Transfer the velvety batter into a piping bag equipped with a circular nozzle. Carefully dispense uniform circles onto a parchment-lined or silicone-matted baking sheet.
6. Firmly tap the baking sheet against the countertop to expel trapped air bubbles. Allow shells to rest at ambient temperature, developing a delicate skin over 30-60 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 300F (150C). Bake the shells until they effortlessly detach from the parchment, typically 15-18 minutes. Cool completely before manipulation.
8. Whip softened butter until creamy, gradually integrating powdered sugar for a silky consistency. Enhance with peppermint extract and heavy cream, adjusting texture as desired.
9. Optionally, fold crushed candy canes into the buttercream for an additional textural and flavor dimension.
10. Match macaron shells by size, then generously pipe or spread peppermint buttercream between paired shells.
11. Refrigerate assembled macarons for a minimum of 24 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize. Serve at room temperature for optimal taste experience.

Notes

• Create a smooth batter by sifting almond flour and powdered sugar thoroughly to prevent lumpy macarons and ensure a delicate texture.
• Achieve perfect meringue by using room temperature egg whites and cleaning your mixing bowl with vinegar to remove any grease that might prevent proper whipping.
• Control humidity when making macarons by avoiding baking on rainy or very humid days, as moisture can prevent shells from forming the signature crisp exterior and smooth top.
• Experiment with natural food coloring like beetroot powder for a soft pink hue if you prefer avoiding artificial gel colors.
• Rest macarons at room temperature to develop a protective skin, which helps create the classic “feet” and prevents cracking during baking.
• Store finished macarons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to develop and improve over time.
• Adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly the powdered sugar and almond flour.

• Prep Time: 15-18 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg