Festive Snowman Macarons – Easy No-Bake Holiday Treat

Ingredients

• • 1 ⅞ cups almond flour ($10.00)
• • ⅞ cup powdered sugar ($0.45)
• • 3 ⅞ large egg whites ($0.75)
• • ⅞ cup granulated sugar ($0.20)
• • 1 ⅞ tsp vanilla extract ($0.26)
• • 1 ⅞ tbsp red gel food coloring ($0.50)
• • 1 ⅞ tbsp green gel food coloring ($0.50)
• • ⅞ cup unsalted butter, softened ($1.12)
• • 2 ⅞ tbsp powdered sugar ($0.12)
• • ⅞ tsp salt ($0.001)
• • ⅞ cup chocolate chips ($0.50)
• • 1 ⅞ tsp orange gel food coloring ($0.10)
• • 1 ⅞ tsp black gel food coloring ($0.10)

Instructions

1. 1

   Sift almond flour and powdered sugar into a bowl. In a stand mixer, whip egg whites with vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and whip to stiff peaks. Gently fold dry ingredients into meringue until smooth.

2. 2

   Transfer batter to a piping bag. Pipe 1½-inch rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Tap sheets firmly on counter to release air bubbles. Let rest at room temperature for 1 hour until a skin forms.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake macarons for 15-20 minutes until firm. Let cool completely on sheets before transferring to a cooling rack.

4. 4

   Beat butter, powdered sugar, and salt until creamy. Divide into three bowls: tint one red, one green, and one black. Pipe red and green scarves onto half the shells.

5. 5

   Melt chocolate chips and pipe two eyes onto each shell. Use orange gel to create carrot noses and black gel for outlines. Pair shells with filled scarves and let set for 1 hour.