Oh my gosh, when it comes to throwback desserts, I’m totally obsessed! You know those treats that just instantly send you back to childhood? Well, I took that feeling and stuck it right inside a beautiful, delicate French macaron shell. We’re talking about these incredibly decadent Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons, and trust me, they are magic!
The secret here isn’t just throwing cereal in; it’s all about the filling. I spent ages testing this marshmallow cream because I wanted it to be super light. I refined the marshmallow cream to stay fluffy so it didn’t overwhelm the delicate shells. They end up so soft, colorful, and just perfectly sweet. You have to try these for your next fun gathering!
Why You Will Love These Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Honestly, these macarons are just pure joy in a tiny little sandwich. Forget fussy fillings; this marshmallow cream is quick, dreamy, and tastes exactly like your favorite childhood breakfast.
- Soft Texture and Nostalgic Flavor: The shell snaps just right, giving way to that pillowy, sweet filling studded with colorful marshmallows. It’s nostalgia you can bite into!
- Perfect for St Patrick’s Day Party: They look absolutely incredible on any platter. Given all the bright colors, these are must-have St Patrick Party Food, fitting right in with all your other fun St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas.
If you’re already an expert at making perfect shells, this recipe is a breeze. Head over to my Desserts category for more easy cookie recipes when you need a break from shaping almond flour!
Soft Texture and Nostalgic Flavor
When you bite down, you get the slight crispness from the shell—that perfect ‘foot’ we all chase—immediately followed by that super light, almost cloud-like marshmallow cream. It melts right in your mouth. I always make sure I use the freshest egg whites because that guarantees the shell has that melt-away quality that pairs so well with the sweet filling.
Perfect for St Patrick’s Day Party
These aren’t just any cookies; they light up the table! If you are planning a big bash, these little rounds immediately qualify as fun St Patrick’s Day Party treats. The colors—the pinks, the blues, the tiny green pieces—make them perfect for any holiday spread. They look fantastic next to savory St Patrick Party Food, providing that necessary sugar rush!
Essential Equipment for Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Okay, so while the filling recipe is super straightforward—basically just whipping things together until they look like heaven—you still need the right tools, especially if you’re making the macaron shells from scratch (which I always recommend!). Don’t worry, you probably have most of this stuff already.
When I first started out, I used whatever I had, but a few items really change the game for consistency. Being precise is key in the cookie world, even for something as fun as this. Check your cabinets for these basics:
- Mixing Bowls: You need at least two reliable ones—one for your dry shells ingredients and one big one for beating up that beautiful filling.
- Electric Mixer: Unless you want seriously powerful arms, a stand or hand mixer is essential for creaming the butter and getting that light, fluffy texture in the marshmallow cream. Hand mixing just won’t cut it here!
- Baking Sheets: You need flat, sturdy baking sheets for piping your macaron shells. Lining them with silicone mats or parchment paper is a non-negotiable must-do!
Pro tip alert! If you’re serious about getting those shells exactly the same size every time, you absolutely must use a kitchen scale. Macaron batter responds so much better to exact weight measurements rather than volume relying on scoops. If you haven’t yet, check out King Arthur Baking’s guide for perfecting those shells!
Gathering Ingredients for Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
This filling is so ridiculously easy, which I love, especially when the macaron shells themselves take up most of the brain space! Don’t skimp on the marshmallow cream quality here; that’s where all the sweet, signature fluffiness comes from. If you use cheap stuff, you’ll notice the texture difference immediately. I always buy the good jarred stuff, or if I’m feeling ambitious, I make my own, which you can check out on Sally’s site for a great baseline!
Remember, the shells need the usual cast of characters—finely ground almond flour, egg whites, and sugar—but for the filling, we focus on these guys right here:
For the Marshmallow Cream Filling
- The foundation is 1/2 cup of butter, and make sure it’s genuinely softened, not oily or melted. Cold butter makes grainy filling, and nobody wants that!
- We need 1 cup of marshmallow cream. This is the hero ingredient, so use a brand you trust.
- Next up is 1 cup of powdered sugar to help stabilize the cream and give it body so it pipes nicely.
- Finally, we use as much of those adorable, colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows as we need, specifically just for folding in at the very end.
Once the filling is ready, I sometimes like making a really simple glaze to drizzle over the top later, kind of like my technique for sprinkle cookie frosting, but focusing on neon green coloring!
Macaron Shell Ingredient Note
Now, listen closely: this recipe assumes you already have your batch of macaron shells baked, cooled completely, and ready to go. I’m not going to walk you through whipping Italian meringue here; that’s a whole other adventure! Just make sure those shells are fully dried out and sitting on your counter waiting patiently. If you need a deep dive on how to get those perfect, shiny shells, I highly recommend reading up on the different methods available online—it’s all about technique!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Alright, let’s get assembly-line productive! Since you’ve likely already perfected your macaron shells (or bought them, no judgment here!), we’re focusing on whipping up that gorgeous, light filling. We are covering everything from mixing to the crucial chilling step that makes these desserts amazing.
Remember, sweetie, gentle handling is key here. We are dealing with delicate shells and delicate whipped textures. If you’re looking for more inspiration on treats that don’t require baking, check out my favorite no-bake recipes! For those who want to try making the cream from scratch instead of jarred, you can find a great recipe for homemade marshmallow creme over at Allrecipes.
Preparing the Macaron Shells (Pre-Step)
Before we even touch the mixer, make sure your macaron shells are completely, 100% baked, cooled, and mature—which means they’ve rested for at least 24 hours, if you can wait that long! They must be totally cool to the touch before you attempt to pipe any filling, or you’ll end up with a sweet, sticky mess.
Creating the Fluffy Marshmallow Cream
First, grab your mixing bowl and beat that softened butter until it’s looking nice and smooth. Then, pour in the marshmallow cream and the powdered sugar. This is where the magic starts! Beat it all together really well. I refined the marshmallow cream to stay fluffy so it didn’t overwhelm the delicate shells, so beat it until it’s nice and light, almost white, and definitely fluffy! You’re aiming for that perfect, airy consistency, not heavy paste.
Folding in Cereal Pieces and Assembly
Once your base is perfectly fluffy, grab your Lucky Charms marshmallows—just the cereal pieces, not the milk!—and gently fold them in. Don’t overmix here; we want to keep those air bubbles we just worked so hard to create! Take two uniform shells, pipe a generous dollop of the marshmallow cream onto one, and top it with the second shell. Press softly just until the filling meets the edges. Then, they need chilling! Pop those assembled beauties into the fridge for at least 30 minutes of chilling time before you dare take a bite.
Tips for Perfect Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Even though this filling is simpler than the meringue shells, a couple of little tricks will take these macarons from good to absolutely legendary. Trust me, I learned these the hard way while trying to rush things! We want that filling texture to be spot-on every single time, especially when prepping for a big event.
Getting the temperature right for your butter is probably the single most important thing you can do for this cream. If you get this right, you skip graininess, which ruins the whole delicate effect of a macaron filling.
Temperature Control for Smooth Filling
When the recipe calls for softened butter, it means give-or-take 68 degrees, not melted! If your butter is too warm, it just dissolves the powdered sugar instead of whipping air into it, and the final result winds up too oily or too stiff. When the butter is just right—soft enough that your finger leaves an easy indent but it still holds its shape—it creams beautifully with the sugar, creating those tiny air pockets.
These tiny pockets are what make the filling light enough to balance the macaron shells. Cold butter won’t mix properly, and overly warm butter turns greasy. If you ever struggle with your scone tops, you know exactly what I mean about butter temperature; it’s the same rule applying here! For more general baking wisdom on high-fat pastries, take a peek at my tips for perfect scones!
Making These Green Snacks Party Ready
For the ultimate festive look, especially if you’re making these for a fun holiday gathering, I have a visual hack for you. You know those colorful marshmallows in the cereal? They aren’t all created equal for a St. Patrick’s vibe! Before you fold them in, take a minute to sort them.
I always pull out an extra handful of just the green, blue, and purple marshmallows. When you fold those in, you significantly amp up the holiday factor, making them the star of your spread of Green Snacks. This little bit of extra effort really ties the whole plate together, making them prime St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas!
Also, don’t skip that chilling time we talked about—the 30 minutes of chilling time is crucial for the cream to firm up just enough so those shells don’t slide around.
Serving Suggestions for St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas
So, you’ve got these dazzling Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons ready to go, but how do you serve them up to truly make a splash? These colorful little gems deserve a spotlight on the dessert table! They transition beautifully from a fun afternoon snack to a show-stopping end to a festive dinner.
Because these are so sweet and rich with marshmallow flavor, I always pair them with something simple and light to cut through the richness. They look fantastic on a tiered platter surrounded by other easy Green Snacks, like sliced green apples or maybe some dyed pretzel rods.
If you are planning your full menu of St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas, remember that color symmetry is your friend. If you have a lot of hearty, savory St Patrick Day Food happening, these sweet macarons balance everything out perfectly. They are especially popular for the little ones—definitely one of the best St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids you can offer!
For drinks, skip the heavy stuff. A big, beautiful bowl of sparkling limeade or maybe a batch of my non-alcoholic Christmas Punch Mocktail (just swap the red coloring for a nice emerald green!) works wonders. Something fizzy and bright really complements that soft marshmallow feeling in the cookie. They are too cute to save just for the kids, though—adults love nostalgic hits just as much!
Storage and Make-Ahead for Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
The absolute best part about these Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons is that they get even better after a little bit of time aging in the fridge! Seriously, handling make-ahead desserts is my specialty because nobody wants to be baking the day of the party, right?
Since the filling is super moist thanks to that marshmallow cream, the shells actually soften slightly as the filling flavors seep in. This creates that perfect, fudgy texture that people rave about when they eat high-quality macarons. It’s all about those chilling times!
Remember that 30 minutes of chilling time we mentioned right after assembly? That’s for firmness so you can handle them and they don’t squish when you put them in the container. But for the real flavor marriage, you want them chilling longer.
Here’s my routine for prepping these sweet little treats ahead of time:
- Short-Term Storage (Up to 3 Days): Once assembled, place your macarons in an airtight container. Make sure you don’t pack them too tightly, or they can stick together or get smushed! Layer them between sheets of parchment or wax paper if you have many. They are perfect after about 12 to 24 hours in the fridge.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can totally bake your shells a couple of days ahead of time and store them sealed on the counter. The filling? You can whip that up the day before the party. Keep the filling in the fridge, and assemble everything the morning of, or the night before, your big event.
- Serving Temperature: While they store beautifully in the fridge (which is great for keeping those bright colors vibrant as they sit next to all your other strawberry-themed desserts or savory snacks), I always let the macarons sit on the counter for about 15 minutes before serving. This lets the filling soften up just a tiny bit so you get that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Don’t try to freeze these once assembled! The moisture fluctuations usually ruin the texture of the shell meringue. If you have leftover shells, freeze those unfrosted against a baking sheet, wrapped tightly, and they’ll be good for months!
Frequently Asked Questions About St Patty Day Food
You’ve got your recipe, you’ve got your shells, but I know questions pop up when you’re dealing with something as specific as a novelty macaron! I’ve tried to answer the ones I get most often about texture, color, and taking these fun treats on the go. Making these for your party should be fun, not stressful! If you’re wondering about the meringue base difference, I wrote an entire piece on Italian versus French macarons, but for the filling, let’s stick to marshmallow cream!
Can I use a different cereal instead of Lucky Charms?
You absolutely *could*, but let’s be real, the charm is in the rainbow marshmallows! If you switch it up, say to Froot Loops or any other colorful puff cereal, you are fundamentally changing the profile of this dessert. The marshmallow cream ratio is specifically balanced for that slightly toasty, sugary note from the Lucky Charms. While you create great St Patrick’s Day Appetizers with other cereals, the nostalgic hit just won’t be the same. Try to stick with the main ingredient for the best results!
How do I keep the marshmallow cream from squeezing out?
This usually happens for two reasons: either the cream is too soft, or your shells aren’t matched well. If the cream feels too runny even after chilling, try adding another tablespoon of sifted powdered sugar when you mix it next time. But for assembly today, focus on piping a nice, thick ring around the edge of the bottom shell, leaving a little gap in the middle. Then, when you gently press the top shell on, the filling has somewhere to settle without bulging out the sides! Make sure both shells are roughly the same diameter so you get that clean, uniform look.
Are these St Patrick’s Day For Kids Treats easy to transport?
They are much easier than brownies, that’s for sure! Because we chilled them for that crucial 30 minutes, the filling firms up nicely. The best way to move these St Patrick’s Day For Kids Treats is to place them in a single layer inside a sturdy, shallow plastic container. If you have more than one layer, use parchment paper between layers. Keep the container flat and out of hot cars! Chilling them right up until serving time keeps them firm and prevents the filling from sweating, which would ruin your beautiful presentation.
Estimated Nutritional Data for Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Now, you all know I’m a baker, not a nutritionist! When you mix processed cereal, butter, and sugar, you aren’t exactly aiming for a health food, right? But since everyone always asks, I put together some rough numbers for these Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons so you have an idea of what you’re dealing with per single macaron (based on 12 servings).
Please remember, these figures are just educated guesses! The exact count changes wildly depending on the brand of marshmallow cream you buy or how much filling you actually load onto the shell. Use this as a friendly guideline, not a strict rule for your healthy lunch ideas list, haha!
- Calories: Approximately 180–210 kcal
- Fat: Around 8–10g (This is mostly the butter doing its delicious work!)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 25–30g (The sugar content from the cream and the cereal adds up here)
- Protein: About 2–3g
The shells themselves bring in a bit of protein from the almond flour and egg whites, but honestly, the filling is where all the sweetness lives! These are definitely meant to be a joyful little indulgence, not an everyday snack, so enjoy them!
Share Your Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons Creations
I truly hope you had as much fun making these vibrant, nostalgic Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons as I did developing the perfect light filling for them!
Now that you’ve baked up a batch of pure childhood happiness, I absolutely *need* to see them! Seriously, nothing makes my day more than seeing your colorful creations showing up online. It lets me know I’m not the only one obsessed with these fun holiday treats?
Please, after you’ve had your first bite of that soft marshmallow cream surrounded by the delicate shell, take a picture and tag me on social media!
Rate Your Marshmallow Magic
If you loved how easily this filling came together, or if you perfected that fluffy texture I was aiming for—please leave a quick star rating right here on the recipe card. Stars are the best way to tell me that this recipe is worth keeping around, and it helps other bakers find these fun ideas!
Ask Me Anything!
Did something go sideways? Did your butter get too warm? Did you try a different cereal? Don’t be shy! Drop all your questions down in the comment section below. I try my best to answer every single one personally, and we can troubleshoot together. We’re all learning in the kitchen, even when we are making something as fun as St Patty Day Food!
Connect With Me
If you want to stay in the loop for all my latest creations, from bright *Green Snacks* to decadent cakes, make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter! You can also reach out through my contact page if you have a specific suggestion or just want to say hi. Happy baking, and may your marshmallows always be colorful!
Lucky Charms Marshmallow Cream Macarons
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
Ingredients
Marshmallow Cream Filling
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup marshmallow cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- as needed Lucky Charms marshmallows For folding in
Instructions
- Bake your macaron shells according to your preferred recipe and allow them to cool completely.
- Beat the softened butter in a bowl until it is smooth in texture.
- Add the marshmallow cream and powdered sugar to the butter.
- Beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. I refined the marshmallow cream to stay fluffy so it didn’t overwhelm the delicate shells.
- Gently fold in the Lucky Charms marshmallows.
- Assemble the macarons by sandwiching the filling between two shells, then chill them before serving.