If you’re anything like me, when a holiday rolls around—especially one that loves bright colors like St. Patrick’s Day—you want treats that are just bursting with fun! Macarons might seem fancy, but honestly, they are just little clouds of happiness waiting to be decorated. We’re taking the delicate shell and pairing it with something totally unexpected: cereal marshmallows!
I have to tell you, making these Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons has become my new favorite tradition. We use a simple, sweet strawberry filling which adds a fruity softness that makes the whole experience feel lighter and way more playful than a typical heavy dessert. Trust me, the combination of almond flour, fruit, and those tiny colored marshmallows is pure magic.
I always felt like traditional macarons needed a little lift, and mixing in that bright strawberry flavor gave them exactly the zing I was looking for. If you’re curious about the science behind the shell, you should check out my thoughts on Italian versus French macaron techniques! They look amazing arranged on a platter alongside other Green Snacks, too!
Why You Will Love These Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Sweet tooth satisfied AND festive? Yes, please! These aren’t just cookies; they are joy bombs disguised as elegant French treats. I’ve made these for so many celebrations now, and they always disappear first. They are that good!
- They bring the perfect amount of whimsy to any St Patrick’s Day Party table.
- The strawberry purée adds a fruity freshness that cuts through the sweetness wonderfully.
- They are fantastic St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids—kids LOVE hunting for the marshmallows!
- You get that gorgeous, crisp macaron texture we all crave, which makes them feel just a little bit special.
- They fit perfectly into any spread of St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas, adding height and color.
- We dye the shells light pink or a festive light green so they count as great Green Foods For Party too!
You can find more fun ideas for holiday bakes over on my Holiday Party Recipes collection. Honestly, you need these for your next gathering.
Essential Equipment for Perfect Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Okay, let’s talk tools. Baking macarons is one of those times when having the right gear really matters. If you try to muscle your way through this recipe without the proper setup, you might end up frustrated, and nobody wants sad, flat shells!
For these Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons, you need to make sure you have three main things ready to go before you even think about sifting your almond flour.
- Baking Sheets: Don’t skimp here. You want flat, sturdy ones that won’t warp in the heat.
- Piping Bag: This is essential for getting those cute, uniform little circles. Parchment paper cones just don’t cut it for this level of precision!
- Electric Mixer: This is the hero tool, folks. Seriously.
I cannot stress enough how crucial that electric mixer is for the shells. When you whip up your meringue, you need that machine running on high for a good 8 to 10 minutes straight. You are trying to incorporate tons of air into those egg whites to create a stable, glossy meringue. If you try to whisk by hand, you’ll be exhausted, and the meringue won’t get stiff enough. A stiff meringue means stiff peaks, and stiff peaks mean you’ll get those beautiful, signature ‘feet’ on your macarons!
Gathering Ingredients for Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Alright, ingredient list time! When you’re making the shells for these Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons, precision is non-negotiable. Seriously, for the shells, we treat baking like a science, but for the filling, we let loose! It’s all about balance, folks.
You need to have everything measured out perfectly before you start the assembly line. I always lay everything out in little bowls—it keeps me from forgetting something crucial when the mixer is roaring.
For the Macaron Shells
For the actual macaron shell cookie part, you’re going to rely on your absolute favorite, trusted recipe. You know the one you’ve perfected? Use that!
This is where you can get creative for your St Patrick Party Food. If you want pink shells to match the strawberry filling, add a drop of pink gel food coloring to your meringue when you whip it up. If you want to lean into the green theme, a tiny bit of green dye there works great too. Just remember to use gel colors, not liquid, or you’ll mess up that delicate meringue structure. For salt measurement specifics in your base recipe, I wrote a little something about kosher vs. sea salt that might help!
For the Strawberry Marshmallow Filling
Now for the fun part! This makes enough filling for about 12 finished macarons, maybe a tiny bit more if you’re generous when piping. The filling is what makes this dessert a true standout among St Patrick’s Day Appetizers.
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened: Make sure this is truly soft, room temperature butter. Not melted!
- 1.5 cups Powdered sugar: Sift this, please! Lumps here mean a lumpy filling.
- 3 tbsp Strawberry purée: Homemade or high-quality store-bought is best for that bright flavor.
- 1 serving Lucky Charms marshmallows, chopped: Make sure you chop these roughly. And definitely stash a few of the colorful pieces aside for sprinkling on top later!
The trick here is combining that softened butter and the powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy—we want no grit left at all. Then, whip in that strawberry purée until it’s totally streak-free before gently folding in the chopped marshmallows at the very end. If you overmix the marshmallows, they start to dissolve, and we want those fun little pops of texture!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
This is where the magic comes together! You need patience during the baking and resting phases, but assembling your Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons is super fast once everything is cooled down. My instructions assume you already have your piping bag loaded with shell batter and your oven preheated according to your base macaron recipe instructions. Don’t rush the cooling, though—that’s rule number one!
Baking the Macaron Shells
First things first: you have to bake those shells! Go ahead and bake your macaron shells following whatever base recipe you trust. Once they come out of the oven, they need to cool completely on the baking sheet. If they are even slightly warm when you try to flip them, they will stick, and that’s just heartbreaking. Once they’re cool, carefully peel them off and let them sit on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes while you make the filling. You absolutely must check out my guide on making perfect shells for extra tips on technique!
Making the Strawberry Marshmallow Filling
Now we tackle the frosting! It’s a simple buttercream base mixed with strawberry flavor. Grab your mixer and beat the softened butter and powdered sugar. I mean beat it until it’s pale and fluffy, scraping down the sides a couple of times. Then, mix in that lovely strawberry purée until everything looks uniformly pink and creamy. The final, crucial step is adding those chopped marshmallows. You must use a spatula for this part and fold them in **gently**. We want texture, not marshmallow mush!
Assembling Your St Patrick’s Day Appetizers
Once you have your cooled shells and your fluffy filling, pick out matching shell tops and bottoms. Pipe a nice swirl of that strawberry mixture onto one shell—don’t go too close to the edge, or they’ll squish out later. Carefully place the second shell on top and gently twist to settle it. This is the fun part that makes them great St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids!
When you’re done, sprinkle a few of those reserved, colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows right on top of the filling before the shells fully seal. This little garnish instantly elevates them into perfect St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas!
Tips for Success Making Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Macarons are notorious for being tricky, I won’t lie to you. They sense fear, I swear! But don’t let that stop you, especially when the reward is something as delightfully colorful as these Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons. I’ve learned the hard way what makes the difference between a perfect shell and a flat, cracked disaster. Here are the non-negotiable tips I always follow.
First, humidity is your sworn enemy. If it’s raining buckets outside, maybe choose a different day to bake. Excess moisture makes it nearly impossible for the meringue to dry out properly before baking, which ruins the signature “feet.” If you must bake on a humid day, you might need to increase your resting/drying time by 15 or 20 minutes. Feel the tops—they should feel dry, like smooth, hard plastic, before they go in the oven.
- Sifting is Mandatory: For the shells, you need to sift your almond flour and powdered sugar *twice*. If there are lumps in your dry ingredients, they will show up as bumps on your shells. No one wants bumpy macarons!
- Don’t Undermix the Batter: After you fold the dry ingredients into the meringue (the macaronage step), you need to mix until the batter flows like lava—it should fall off your spatula in a slow, continuous ribbon. If it piles up, it’s too stiff! You can always learn more about my basic baking wisdom over at my scones tips page, as the mixing logic is similar.
- Resting Time is NOT Optional: That 60 minutes of resting time mentioned is crucial for the shells to develop that thin skin. If you skip it, they spread in the oven and crack right on top. Think of it as the macarons taking a little nap before their big performance.
When it comes to the filling, just make sure your strawberry purée is nice and thick. If it’s too runny, it will squish out the sides instantly when you assemble the Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons. If you find yourself struggling, sometimes referring to a classic recipe like the one from Taste of Home for basic French Macarons can reset your technique before trying the fun stuff!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Green Foods For Party
Since we are heading for the ultimate St Patrick’s Day Party vibe, let’s talk about making sure our ingredients really pack a punch—especially when it comes to color! While the filling is decidedly pink and fruity because of the strawberry, we can adjust the shells if we want to maximize the green factor.
If you want truly vibrant Green Foods For Party, you absolutely must use gel food coloring, as I mentioned earlier. Liquid food coloring—the kind you find in the grocery aisle next to the sprinkles—is mostly water and it will deflate your delicate egg white meringue every single time. We worked too hard for that! A tiny drop of high-quality gel color mixed into the meringue before you fold in the almonds is all it takes to create the perfect pastel green shell.
Coloring the Shells vs. Flavoring
It’s important to remember that the food coloring only affects the shell color. The flavor in these macarons is coming entirely from the strawberry filling. If you’re aiming for a pure green theme, you could use a vanilla or subtle almond extract in the shells, but honestly, the strawberry filling is so bright and delicious you won’t miss the fruit in the shell. It’s a visual holiday, really!
Strawberry Purée Swaps
What if you run out of strawberry purée? Or maybe you tried making it and it ended up way too watery? That happens! If your purée is too thin, you’ll end up with a runny filling that oozes out the sides of your beautiful macarons. Since the filling needs that fat content and sweetness, you can’t just use jam.
If you need a substitute, try this quick fix: reduce a little fresh strawberry juice in a small saucepan until it thickens up nicely—almost like a thin syrup—and then let that cool completely before adding it to your creamed butter. That cooked-down liquid will give you the necessary flavor boost without sacrificing the texture of your buttercream. This little bit of technique will save your batch of St Patty Day Food!
If you ever need tips on swapping dairy fats in baking—which can be tricky in frostings—you can check out my thoughts on heavy cream versus buttermilk. It’s about understanding the fat ratios, which is key for achieving that perfect consistency in any frosting, even this simple one!
Serving Suggestions for St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas
So you’ve got a beautiful batch of these fruity, fun macarons ready to go! What do you serve them with? Since these are definitely rich, gorgeous little desserts, you don’t want to overpower them with anything too heavy. They are perfect as-is!
When I serve these for St. Patrick’s Day parties, I like to keep the accompaniments simple so the color and flavor of the macarons really shine. They are the star of the show, folks!
- A Simple Glass of Milk: You can never go wrong with milk. It complements the sweetness of the shells and the marshmallows beautifully. Plus, it’s a classic for any cookie or treat, and kids love it!
- Black Coffee or Tea: For the grown-ups, the bitterness of a strong black coffee or a simple, unsweetened tea is the perfect contrast to the sugar content in the frosting and the shell. It really makes the strawberry flavor pop!
- Pair with Other Green Snacks: If you are building a whole spread of St Patty Day Food, keep the sides light. Think about arranging these macarons next to something savory that brings in the green theme without competing in sweetness. Maybe some simple avocado dip with crackers, or even some sweet green grapes! You can find some great ideas over on my quick-hit list of easy healthy snack ideas that you can quickly adapt for green coloring.
Honestly, these macarons are so flavorful, they don’t need much else. They are the perfect little dessert bite to end a night of festive eating!
Storage and Reheating for St Patrick’s Day Treats
Now that you’ve poured your heart into these beautiful Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons, we have to talk about keeping them perfect! Macarons are delicate masterpieces, and how you store them directly impacts that gorgeous texture we worked so hard to achieve. You want that little snap when you bite into the shell, followed by that creamy, chewy center, right?
Here is my hard-earned advice: Refrigeration is key for assembled macarons, especially since this filling contains butter. Pop them into an airtight container—and I mean *airtight*—and keep them in the fridge. They will stay wonderfully fresh for about four to five days. The moisture from the filling actually helps the shells mature a bit, making them a little chewier, which I personally love!
The Best Way to Store Macarons
When you put them away, make sure they aren’t squished! If you are making a huge batch that you need to last longer than five days, you can freeze them. Just separate the shells and the filling if you can. If they are already assembled, lay them in a single layer on a tray, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a very secure freezer bag. They should be fine in the freezer for up to a month. When you want to eat them, just move them back to the fridge overnight to thaw slowly.
If you’re into making grab-and-go snacks for the week, you can check out my tips on meal prep snack boxes to see how I organize things, although I usually keep these macarons separate from savory items!
Why You Should Never Reheat Macarons
I know sometimes we reheat things out of habit, but please, promise me you won’t try to microwave or bake these again! Macarons are meant to be enjoyed cool or at room temperature. Microwaving them, even for a few seconds to soften the filling, turns the shells spongy and tough instead of crisp—it completely ruins the texture!
If you pull them straight from the fridge and they seem a little *too* firm, just let the assembled Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons sit on the counter for about 20 minutes before serving. That little bit of time allows the buttercream to soften perfectly to that melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Trust me, that little wait is worth keeping the integrity of the shell intact!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Can I make these ahead of time for my St Patrick’s Day Party?
Absolutely, and I highly recommend it! Assembling the macarons a day ahead is actually when they taste the best, believe it or not. This allows the flavors to meld together—the strawberry filling soaks just a tiny bit into the shells, making them perfectly chewy. As long as you store them airtight in the fridge, they are fantastic Saint Patrick Day Food for up to three days!
What if I can’t find the strawberry marshmallows advertised for this recipe?
No worries if you can’t find the *exact* combo! If you are looking for great St Patrick’s Day For Kids Treats, the key ingredient is the marshmallow crunch. You can absolutely use regular mini marshmallows mixed with a tiny bit of freeze-dried strawberry dust or flavoring, but the classic Lucky Charms add that fun texture and color pop we are going for. If you use plain minis, make sure you compensate with a little extra sweetness in your overall recipe, maybe by adding a touch more powdered sugar to the filling.
How do I make sure my shells have those perfect green colors for the party?
When it comes to making Green Snacks that really stand out, the color has to be right! For the shells, use a concentrated gel food dye—a tiny drop is all you need. Mix it into your meringue *after* you’ve whipped the egg whites to stiff peaks but *before* you fold in the dry ingredients. Mix just until it’s uniform. If you want a deeper green for a big display, you can always make a small batch of vanilla/almond shells and dye those green, while keeping the strawberry shells pink for contrast! It looks amazing on a platter.
Are the shells too delicate if I want to make these for kids?
Macaron shells always require a gentle hand, which is why these are a bit more of a fun project than a last-minute bake. For St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids, I suggest making sure you’ve let the assembled macarons set up in the fridge for at least 12 hours. This firms up the filling and makes the whole sandwich structure much sturdier for little hands. You can see some other great kid-approved ideas over on my Crumbl-inspired recipes page—sometimes simpler is better, but these macarons are worth the effort!
Are there any good make-ahead tips for the shells?
Yes! The shells freeze beautifully, un-filled. Bake them, cool them completely, and store them flat between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container. They thaw perfectly overnight in the fridge. Making the shells totally ahead of time is how I manage to pull off these festive recipes when I have a busy schedule. If you want some general tips on freezing baked goods, check out my French Macaron guide linked here; I talk a bit about shell storage there!
Share Your St Patrick Party Food Creations
Whew! If you made it through the baking marathon to finish these incredible Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons, you deserve a big round of applause! Seriously, take a picture! These little bites of sweet, fruity fun are the perfect addition to any holiday table, and I just love seeing how you bring my recipes to life in your kitchens.
If you followed along and whipped up this recipe, please, please hop back here and give it a five-star rating. Those ratings tell me which recipes are truly hits and help other bakers feel confident trying out something new, especially for something a bit more technical like macarons!
And don’t keep all that colorful joy to yourself! Snap a photo of your finished macarons and tag me on social media—I need to see your gorgeous presentation! Knowing how you styled your treats for your St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas spread is honestly my favorite part of running this blog. Your feedback and photos genuinely help me refine and improve recipes for future celebrations.
If you have any lingering questions or thoughts you didn’t see answered in the FAQ, or if you just want to say hello, you can always reach out via my contact page. Happy baking, and may your next batch of St Patty Day Food be as magical as you deserve!
Lucky Charms Strawberry Macarons
Equipment
- Baking sheets
- Piping Bag
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
Macaron Shells
- Use your standard macaron shell recipe base.
Strawberry Filling
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 1.5 cups Powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp Strawberry purée
- 1 serving Lucky Charms marshmallows, chopped Reserve some for garnish if desired.
Instructions
- Prepare and bake your macaron shells following your base recipe instructions.
- In a bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Mix the strawberry purée into the butter mixture until it is fully incorporated.
- Gently fold the chopped Lucky Charms marshmallows into the strawberry buttercream.
- Pipe the strawberry filling between two cooled macaron shells to assemble the macarons.