Step into a winter wonderland of flavor with a delightful twist on the classic French macaron – an enchanting reindeer-themed treat that will sprinkle magic into your holiday baking! As the frosty air whispers tales of snowy landscapes and twinkling lights, we invite you on a delicious journey where whimsy meets culinary artistry in these cute yet delicious Reindeer French Macarons.

Reindeer French Macarons

The art of macaron making has always held a touch of elegance and mystery, but today, we're adding a sprinkle of holiday cheer and a dash of reindeer magic to elevate these delicate delights. Picture a dance of caramelized pecans and velvety chocolate ganache nestled between two perfectly baked macaron shells, adorned with adorable reindeer faces, ready to enchant both young and old.

This recipe isn’t just about creating delectable sweets; it’s an invitation to embrace the joy of the season and infuse your baking with a dash of festive imagination. Join us as we delve into the world of reindeer French macarons, where taste meets creativity and every bite tells a story of holiday wonder.

Check out these amazing holiday classic treat recipes to make with your family this holiday season: Easy Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies Fun Recipe, Elf on the Shelf Holiday Christmas French Macaron Recipe,  Melting Snowman Hot Chocolate Bombs Easy Winter Recipe and Grinch Inspired Macarons Best Holiday Christmas Recipe. You will whip up a first batch and be completely obsessed with the homemade macarons and other holiday treats to have the perfect time baking with family and friends!

 Here’s a curated list of delightful ideas that are sure to bring smiles and warmth this festive season both for kids, toddlers and little ones, new moms, runners, and this guide is all about the older adults and local seniors in your life! Making holiday recipes in the kitchen with family during the winter season and holidays is one of the very best memories I have of childhood all season long and on Christmas morning.  

These  Melting Snowman Hot Chocolate Bombs,  Grinch Inspired Macaron recipe,  Simple Santa Claus Hat Rice Krispie Christmas Treats are all great recipes with different flavors! Pack in all of the fun with 25 different things leading up to Christmas with this  Christmas Bucket List Printable - Ultimate Free Holiday Fun.  Curl up with one of these Must Read Books about Snow for Toddlers this Winter with one of those delicious recipes or a  Free Printable Winter Word Scramble Kids Game for lots of Christmas fun!

Crank up the Christmas party songs and Christmas tunes and make some Christmas Tree inspired Pretzel Rod Dessert, M and M no bake Christmas bark, Santa's reindeer Little Debbie Snack, and these adorable Christmas Mickey Mouse Inspired cookie bars.  If you are looking for a way to add excitement to your holiday gatherings, this Christmas gift exchange dice game is a huge hit. These great Christmas activities and recipes are the perfect way to have seasonal fun!  This roll of the dice snowman dice game is a huge hit for school and home as well. Christmas word search printables are so much fun for a small or large group.   These free printables and game for a White elephant game Christmas gift exchanges can be a popular and fun holiday tradition for school parties too. My family love this fun game and we look forward to this as one of our absolute favorite Christmas games for the entire family.

Get ready to sleigh the holiday season with our adorable Reindeer French Macarons! These delightful little treats are the perfect addition to your festive gatherings, and they're guaranteed to put a twinkle in your eye.

delightful reindeer French Christmas macarons

These Reindeer macarons are a great way to ease in for a beginner macaron baker. Once you make the perfect macarons for the first time you will be a pro!

Difficulty – Easy / Intermediate

Prep time – 30 minutes

Bake time – 12 minutes

Inactive time – 30 minutes

Assembly – 20 minutes

Servings – approximately 25 assembled cookies

Helpful Tips / Tricks for the Reindeer Macaron Recipe:

-        Carton egg whites can be substituted; however, we do recommend freshly separated eggs for better results.

-        Room temperature egg whites whip up quicker than cold egg whites. 

-        Meringue powder is recommended to help stabilize the egg whites while whipping – but it is optional.

-        Egg white powder (available online) is recommended to help fill the gaps in the macaron shells and make them fuller.

-        Once baked, always store the shells in an airtight container.  It does not take long for them to dry out and lose their chewiness. 

Supplies recommended:

• Kitchen scale

• Sifter

• Rubber Spatula

• Electric mixer / food processor with whisk attachment

• Mixing bowl

• Large bowl

• Cookie sheet / silicone mat

• Parchment or Silicone sheet with macaron template

• Pastry bag (or a Ziploc bag)

• Large metal round tip

Adorable Reindeer Macarons Ingredients:

130 g almond flour (approx. 1 1/3 c. loosely packed)

130 g powdered sugar (approx. 1 c.)

90 g granulated sugar (approx. 1/3 c.)

100 g whipped egg whites (approx. ½ c. – about 3 large eggs worth)

½ t. meringue powder (optional)

1 t. egg white powder (optional) 

2 T. dark chocolate cocoa powder

Step-by-Step instructions for Reindeer French macarons recipe

1. Preheat oven temperature to 300 degrees.  

2. Separate the eggs and retain the egg whites – be sure that there is no yolk, or they will not whip up.  Beat egg whites until foamy in the bowl of the mixer with the whisk attachment, about one minute.  Add in the meringue powder (optional).  Slowly add granulated sugar in three increments and mix well after every addition on medium speed. Once all the sugar has been combined, increase the speed to medium / high and mix for another five minutes.  Mixture should be very stiff peaks and balled up in the whisk attachment and pulling away from the sides of the bowl.

3. Combine almond flour, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and egg white powder (optional) together in a fine mesh strainer and gently sieve, leaving behind any larger chunks and discarding.  

4. Pour the sifted dry ingredients into the whipped mixture and stir only enough to incorporate.  From here, slowly start to fold, deflating the mixture and occasionally checking for consistency.  Take special care to scrap the bottoms and sides of the bowl to ensure no dry ingredients are hiding.  To check the consistency, pull a scoop of the mixture up with your spatula and let the mixture drop back into the bowl.  This is not the time to take out your aggression – treat it nicely and mix gently!  When it’s ready, it should flow nicely off the spatula, ribboning as it falls and then re-incorporating back into the mixture within about a 20 second count. The mixture should be the consistency of lava.  Too few turns will result in tall macarons with a “peak”.  Too many turns will result in the macarons spreading outward like traditional cookies rather than upward to get the nice, ruffled edges (feet).

5. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large round metal tip.  If you do not have a tip, then just a straight cut across will do.  Also, if you do not have a pastry bag, a Ziploc will also work. 

6. Prepare your baking pan by turning it upside down if it has a rim to it.  Place your mat on the pan or your template with parchment paper covering it.   

7. Holding the bag approximately ½ inch above the template and perpendicular to the pan, using the center as a bullseye in the center and slowly squeeze the bag, keeping it in one place until the mixture reaches the inner circle of the template (provided).  The mixture should settle to the outer line.   Pipe out all the rounds until all batter has been used.    

8. Take the entire baking sheet with the piped rounds on it and firmly hit the sheet on the counter several times, releasing any air bubbles and settling the batter.  Any stubborn air bubbles can be popped with a toothpick.

9. Allow the piped rounds to rest for at least 30 minutes (that’s for our climate in the Colorado mountains.  Higher humidity areas will need to increase this rest time).  The tops should no longer be sticky/tacky.  Sacrifice one shell to test by gently touching the surface.  If it sticks to your finger, it’s not ready yet. Allow it to rest until you can touch it without sticking to your finger.

10. Once they have rested for about 30 minutes, place the tray in the oven and bake for 12 minutes.  If baking more than one tray at a time, make sure to rotate the pans halfway through the cooking time.  Let them cool on the pan.  When cooled, very gently remove from baking sheet.  Store in an airtight container stacked on their sides until ready to fill.

Chocolate Ganache macaron Filling Ingredients:

• 10 oz dark chocolate chips

• ½ c heavy cream

• To decorate with homemade chocolate macarons:

• ½ c dark chocolate chips

• ¼ c red cinnamon candies or M&Ms

In a microwave safe bowl, heat the dark chocolate chips and heavy cream for 1 minute.  Remove and stir thoroughly.  If needed, heat for an additional 15-30 seconds and stir well again until all chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.  Transfer the ganache to a piping bag and allow to cool until ready to assemble.  

When ready to assemble, lay out the macaron shells and partner up with similar size shells.  Fill one half of the shells with a the ganache.  Pipe a mound in the center and then top with the remaining shell to create the cookie sandwich.  

Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 15 second increments and stir well between each interval until the mixture is smooth.  Transfer to a pastry bag.

Cut a small hole in the end of the chocolate bag and pipe two antlers, two eyes and a nose on each macaron.  Place a red candy on the nose, if desired, to create a Rudolph reindeer.  

Storage:  Can be enjoyed right away, but to get the best texture, it’s best to wait 24 hours for the shells to mature and create the chewy goodness we all love!

Store in an airtight container refrigerated for about two weeks or frozen for up to three months (watch for freezer burn).  If stored in the freezer, allow it to reach room temperature before enjoying. 

As we conclude this delightful culinary adventure, it's evident that these Reindeer French Macarons aren't just a treat for the taste buds but a whimsical addition to any holiday spread. The joy of transforming simple ingredients into these charming reindeer faces is a testament to the magic of baking during the festive season.

With their crisp shells, sumptuous fillings, and adorable decorations, these macarons bring not just flavors but a touch of festive cheer. Whether you're making them as a delightful gift or as a centerpiece for your holiday table, these reindeer macarons are sure to evoke smiles and spread joy.

Remember, the key ingredients here are patience, precision, and a sprinkle of creativity. So, gather your tools, unleash your imagination, and let these reindeer macarons become a delightful tradition in your holiday celebrations.

May your kitchen be filled with laughter, warmth, and the sweet aroma of success as you embark on your own journey to create these whimsical delights. Happy baking and happy holidays!

Happy baking!