Black Cat Macarons – cute Halloween macaron dessert

Alright, friends, if you thought macarons were fancy-schmancy and a little intimidating, wait until you see these adorable Black Cat Macarons! Picture this: sweet, crisp shells with that delicate “pop” when you bite, a creamy filling, and a touch of Halloween mischief with cute little black cat faces staring right back at you. I can’t wait to share this recipe because it’s the perfect blend of festive fun and serious dessert love. Plus, making macarons feels like a little kitchen magic—like you’re crafting edible art that tastes incredible. Let’s get those mixing bowls ready and turn your dessert table into a spooky, sweet celebration!

Quick Facts

• Yield: Serves 12 (24 macarons)
• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Black Cat Macarons:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup almond flour, sifted
• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Black gel food coloring

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream

How I Make It

Step 1:

First things first: preheat your oven to 300°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and sifted almond flour to get rid of any lumps—this helps create those perfectly smooth macaron shells.

Step 2:

In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until they start to foam. Slowly add the granulated sugar, then crank up to high speed until stiff peaks form. Now add a few drops of your black gel food coloring and the vanilla extract, folding gently to keep those peaks intact but get an even color.

Step 3:

Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the egg whites in batches. The batter should be smooth and flow like lava—if it’s too stiff, your shells won’t be glossy or rise perfectly. This is the moment to be patient and gentle!

Step 4:

Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small, evenly sized circles (about 1.5 inches) onto your parchment-lined sheets, leaving space for spreading. Tap the trays firmly on the counter a couple of times to release air bubbles, then let them rest for 30–40 minutes. You want a dry skin to form before baking—this helps create that signature macaron shell.

Step 5:

Bake for 14–15 minutes, rotating trays halfway through to ensure even baking. Once cool, carefully peel macarons off the parchment.

Step 6:

While they cool, whip up your buttercream filling: beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and just enough cream to get a fluffy, smooth spread. Pipe the filling onto half the shells, then sandwich with the remaining shells. Use a fine-tipped edible food pen or melted chocolate to draw cute little cat faces and ears, and voilà—you have your spooky, sweet Black Cat Macarons!

Variations & Tips

• Use white or orange food coloring for different Halloween color combos.
• Sift almond flour twice if you notice clumps to ensure smooth shells.
• If your batter is too runny, your shells will spread too much—fold just enough until it flows like thick lava.
• Resting macarons until a skin forms is a must to prevent cracked tops.
• Substitute buttercream with a chocolate ganache for a richer filling.
• Store macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.

How I Like to Serve It

These Black Cat Macarons are perfect for Halloween parties or just a cozy night in with spooky movies. Arrange them on a cute plate alongside some pumpkin spice lattes or hot cocoa. They’re also a delightful gifting treat—who wouldn’t smile at these precious little desserts that taste as good as they look?

Notes

• Let macarons come to room temperature before serving to enjoy their chewy centers and crisp shells perfectly.
• If you don’t have gel coloring, use black cocoa powder in the batter but reduce almond flour slightly to balance dry ingredients.

Closing: This recipe always wins hearts because it combines that irresistible macaron texture with a fun, festive twist—making baking feel like a real treat for both you and your taste buds!