Holiday Macaron Tower

Impress your guests this holiday season with a jaw-dropping macaron masterpiece that's as delicious as it is stunning. Layers of delicate and colorful macarons are stacked high to create a tower of sweetness, perfect for any special holiday celebration. With flavors like gingerbread, red velvet, and eggnog, this tower is a showstopper that will leave everyone oohing and aahing!

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the macaron batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and almond meal. Set aside.

2. 2

   In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until the egg whites stay stuck to the sides of the bowl when tilted.

3. 3

   Add the granulated sugar and beat until soft peaks form.

4. 4

   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the whipped egg whites and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined.

5. 5

   Transfer half of the batter to another bowl.

6. 6

   Make the gingerbread flavor: To one bowl, add the cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, and gently fold to combine.

7. 7

   Make the red velvet flavor: To the other bowl, add the cocoa powder and red food coloring, and gently fold to combine.

8. 8

   Transfer the batters to 2 separate piping bags or zip-top bags.

9. 9

   Pipe a bit of batter in each of the 4 corners of the baking sheet, then lay a piece of parchment paper on top and press against the batter dots to seal. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheet in ¾-inch (2 cm) circles, spacing about ½ inches (1 ¼ cm) apart. Gently tap the baking sheet against the counter to release any air bubbles.

10. 10

    Let the macarons rest at room temperature for 1 hour, until a skin forms on the surface.

11. 11

    Preheat the oven to 300˚F (150˚C).

12. 12

    Bake the macarons for 20 minutes.

13. 13

    Make the filling: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and shortening until smooth.

14. 14

    Add the salt, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and eggnog, and beat to incorporate. Add the powdered sugar, a bit at a time, and beat until well combined and the filling is smooth.

15. 15

    Transfer the eggnog filling to a piping bag or zip-top bag.

16. 16

    Pipe the filling onto a macaron, then sandwich with another macaron. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

17. 17

    Let the macarons rest in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

18. 18

    To assemble the tower, insert a toothpick into the styrofoam cone, leaving ½-inch (1 ¼ cm) exposed. Gently press a macaron onto the toothpick. Repeat around the rest of the cone with the remaining macarons.

19. 19

    Enjoy!

Comments