Name: Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 12 h 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 137 grams super fine almond flour (about 1 ½ cups); 117 grams confectioners’ sugar (about 1 cup); 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; 100 grams egg whites (about 3 large egg whites), at room temperature; 110 grams super fine white sugar (about 1 cup + 2 teaspoons); 1-2 teaspoons brown gel food coloring (Chefmaster Buckeye Brown recommended); 57 grams (2 ounces) white chocolate, melted; 2 tablespoons gingerbread men sprinkles; ½ cup (114 grams) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¾ cup (210 grams) confectioners’ sugar; 1 tablespoon (20 grams) fancy molasses; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re craving a fun twist on classic holiday treats, you’re going to absolutely adore this Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe. These delicate, spiced macarons filled with a rich molasses buttercream are a showstopper – perfect for gifting, parties, or just treating yourself. I’ve perfected this recipe after a few tries, and trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be hooked!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seasonal Spice Blend: The cinnamon, ginger, and cloves create a perfect cozy flavor that reminds me of fresh gingerbread cookies straight from the oven.
Silky Molasses Buttercream: The molasses adds deep, caramel-like richness that pairs beautifully with the light macaron shells.
Fun Yet Elegant: These macarons impress guests but are surprisingly doable, especially with my tips to help you succeed.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these a day ahead and let the flavors mature overnight for maximum deliciousness.

The image shows several brown macarons arranged on crinkled paper over a white marbled surface. Each macaron has two smooth light brown cookie shells with a creamy beige filling sandwiched between them. On top of some macarons, there is a drizzle of white icing and small gingerbread man-shaped sprinkles scattered, adding texture and detail. The focus is sharp on the front macaron, while the others fade softly into the background, creating a warm and inviting look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream, holiday gingerbread macarons, spice-filled cookie recipes, DIY festive macarons, homemade holiday treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

To nail this Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe, you’ll want fresh, quality ingredients. Each element works together to create the perfect texture and flavor profiles—so no skimping! Let me walk you through what I like to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small heap of super fine almond flour, a small heap of confectioners' sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cloves, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with super fine white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth brown gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small heap of molasses, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl containing white chocolate chips, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream, holiday gingerbread macarons, spice-filled cookie recipes, DIY festive macarons, homemade holiday treats

Almond Flour: Look for superfine almond flour for the smoothest, most delicate shells that don’t crack.
Confectioners’ Sugar: This replaces granulated sugar to keep the shells glossy and light.
Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, and Ground Cloves: These spice everything up and give that familiar gingerbread aroma.
Egg Whites: Room temperature whites whip up better, so take them out ahead for a smooth meringue.
Superfine White Sugar: This stabilizes the meringue and keeps the macarons glossy.
Brown Gel Food Coloring: Optional, but I love the warm, molassesy tone it adds without changing texture.
White Chocolate: For drizzling on top, adding a sweet contrast and gorgeous look.
Gingerbread Men Sprinkles: Perfect for that festive touch!
Unsalted Butter: Soften it well for a creamy molasses buttercream.
Molasses: Use good quality, dark molasses for rich flavor.
Vanilla Extract: A little warmth and sweetness to round out the buttercream.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to experiment a bit when making these gingerbread macarons. Sometimes I swap out the molasses for honey or even maple syrup in the buttercream if I want a lighter touch. Feel free to personalize this recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs!

Variation: For a dairy-free option, you can use vegan butter in the buttercream, and it turns out just as luscious.
Spice Level: Play with the spice mix — a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can add exciting complexity.
Chocolate Lovers: Swap the molasses buttercream for a chocolate ganache for a decadent twist.

How to Make Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe

Step 1: Master the Macaron Shells

Start by prepping your baking sheets with silicone mats. I usually prepare two sheets because macarons bake best when laid out comfortably without crowding. The key here is sifting the almond flour and confectioners’ sugar — this ensures your shells are silky and bump-free. Whisk in your warm spices for that essential gingerbread vibe.

When whipping your egg whites, patience is your best friend. Begin slowly and ramp up the speed gradually. You’ll want soft peaks forming before adding sugar to build a glossy, stiff meringue. I used to rush this and ended up with flat shells — trust me, take your time!

After mixing in the brown gel food coloring, gently fold your dry ingredients in through a sieve in batches. Watch that batter carefully — when it flows in a smooth ribbon off your spatula without breaking, and can draw a figure 8 without splitting, you’re spot-on. This “figure 8” test saved me from numerous overmixing disasters.

Pipe rounds on your mat, spaced well, holding the bag perpendicular for neat circles. A couple of gentle taps on the counter will release pesky air bubbles — if you see any big ones lingering, a toothpick poke does the trick.

Here’s a secret: letting the macarons sit and form a “skin” before baking is essential. It can take anywhere from 8 minutes to an hour depending on your kitchen’s humidity. When you lightly touch them, the batter shouldn’t stick to your finger—that’s your green light!

Bake at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes, keeping a close eye near the end. The tops should feel firm and won’t wobble on their base. Let them fully cool before removing to avoid breakage.

Step 2: Add the Festive Macaron Tops (Optional but Fun!)

Melting white chocolate can be intimidating, but I promise it’s easier than it looks! Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring often, until smooth. Drizzle half your macarons and sprinkle with gingerbread men decorations for that cheerful touch.

If you want to speed up the hardening, pop them in the fridge for a few minutes. The contrast between the creamy buttercream and crisp chocolate topping is just dreamy.

Step 3: Mix the Molasses Buttercream

Beat softened butter with confectioners’ sugar, molasses, and vanilla until creamy and slightly pale. The molasses brings that wonderful depth without overpowering sweetness — I kinda wish I could put this buttercream on everything!

Step 4: Assemble and Mature

Pipe the buttery molasses filling onto the plain macaron shells, then sandwich with the decorated tops. It’s a visual delight and tastes even better the next day after chilling in the fridge overnight—that’s when all the flavors marry beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe

Always Sift Your Dry Ingredients: Prevents lumps and results in smooth shells.
Use a Kitchen Scale: Accuracy is key when measuring ingredients for macarons.
Be Patient with the ‘Skin’ Formation: It makes all the difference for the signature macaron feet and smooth tops.
Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Folding just enough to get that ribbon texture keeps your shells from cracking.

How to Serve Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe

The image shows a dozen round gingerbread-colored macarons placed on brown parchment paper on a metal baking tray. Each macaron has a smooth top with two or three diagonal white icing stripes across one side. Small gingerbread man-shaped sprinkles are scattered on top of the iced stripes. The macarons have two light brown shells with a thin layer of filling inside visible at the edges. Some white icing has dripped slightly onto the parchment paper around the macarons. The background and surface have a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream, holiday gingerbread macarons, spice-filled cookie recipes, DIY festive macarons, homemade holiday treats

Garnishes

I adore finishing my gingerbread macarons with a simple dusting of cinnamon or a few festive sprinkles (gingerbread men, of course!). Sometimes, a tiny piece of crystallized ginger on top adds an unexpected zing that’s delightful.

Side Dishes

These pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a rich, creamy latte. For a party spread, I like to serve them alongside a cranberry compote or fresh citrus fruits to cut through the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

When gifting or entertaining, arrange your macarons in a pretty box layered with parchment paper. For holiday parties, try stacking them on a tiered dessert stand alongside gingerbread cookies and mini yule logs for a stunning seasonal display everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover macarons in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the shells crisp and the buttercream fresh for up to six weeks. Just make sure to place them in a single layer with parchment to avoid any accidental cracks.

Freezing

Freezing macarons works wonderfully! I individually wrap them in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight for the best texture, almost as if they were freshly baked.

Reheating

Macarons aren’t really meant to be reheated—they’re best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you want to warm your molasses buttercream slightly, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave helps soften it for easier eating, but be gentle to avoid melting the shells.

FAQs

Can I make Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe without food coloring?

Absolutely! The brown gel food coloring is optional and mainly adds a warm, rich tone resembling gingerbread. Your macarons will still taste fabulous and have that yummy spice flavor even without it.
How do I know when the macaron shells have formed a skin?

After piping, let them rest at room temperature until the surface feels dry and no batter sticks when you gently touch it with a fingertip—this can take anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour depending on humidity. This skin helps create the classic “feet” during baking.
Why did my macarons crack or spread too much?

Common causes include overmixing the batter, not letting the shells dry long enough to form the skin, or oven temperature issues. Using an oven thermometer to maintain 300°F and following the folding instructions carefully usually fixes these problems.
Can I use this molasses buttercream for other cookies or cakes?

Yes! This molasses buttercream is delicious on cupcakes, sandwich cookies, or even drizzle on gingerbread cake. It’s versatile and adds a lovely holiday flair.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be honest—when I first tried making gingerbread macarons, I was nervous about the timing and consistency. But once I got it right using these steps, this Gingerbread Macarons with Molasses Buttercream Recipe became my holiday obsession. My family goes crazy for these delicate treats that combine classic gingerbread warmth with the elegance of French macarons. If you love baking projects that challenge you but reward you with incredible flavor, you’ve got to try this recipe. Grab your piping bag, set aside some time, and get ready for some seriously impressive bites! You won’t regret it.