If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just need a dessert that screams fun but still feels totally gourmet. Macarons are my absolute happy place because they’re so delicate! But when a holiday like St Patrick’s Day rolls around, you need a little extra pizzazz. That’s why I tweaked my base recipe for these incredible Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons. The secret sauce here is the white chocolate buttercream; it’s rich enough to stand up to the fun cereal dust, but it keeps the sweetness from being overwhelming. They are just perfect for any little St Patrick’s Day Party!
Why You’ll Love These Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Honestly, these macarons hit every note I look for in a perfect holiday treat. They’re elegant, but they don’t take themselves too seriously! Trust me, you need these for your next gathering. If you want to dive deeper into the technique, you should check out my thoughts on French vs. Italian Macaron styles.
- They have that delicate, melt-in-your-mouth French bakery feel.
- The white chocolate filling cuts through the sugar just right.
- They are picture-perfect for showcasing your best Saint Patrick Day Food.
- Kids absolutely adore them, making them great St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids.
You simply won’t find a better balance of whimsical fun and refined baking!
Essential Equipment for Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Look, macarons demand a little respect in terms of equipment. You can’t just use any old spoon and bowl for this kind of precision baking! Don’t worry, most of this stuff you probably already have, but you need to make sure it’s ready to go before you even think about sifting.
For the shells, precision measuring is key, so make sure you have a good kitchen scale handy. Also, for getting those perfectly round little discs, a quality electric mixer is your best friend for whipping up those egg whites into stiff, glossy peaks. You’ll be beating those whites into submission!
Here’s what you absolutely need besides your basic bowls and whisks:
- Electric Mixer: A stand mixer is ideal, but a sturdy hand mixer will work just fine for achieving that perfect meringue strength.
- Double Boiler Setup: You need a gentle way to melt the white chocolate without scorching it for the buttercream. Either a true double boiler or just a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water works great!
- Piping Bags and Tips: Don’t skip this! You need a fine, round piping tip (usually about 1/4 inch or 8mm) to get those beautiful, uniform circles.
- Silicone Mats or Parchment Paper: I prefer silicone mats because they are reusable and make peeling them off so much easier later on, especially when dealing with sticky fillings.
Having these tools ready ensures you can move quickly when it’s time for the macaronage, which is where all the real magic—or disaster—happens!
Gathering Ingredients for Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Okay, gather all your fancy things! Macarons are precise, so we aren’t guessing on measurements here; we stick to grams for accuracy. I have the full ingredient list split into two parts—what you need for the delicate shells and what makes that dreamy buttercream!
I decided the white chocolate in the filling was enough magic, but for the presentation part, we’ll crush up our Lucky Charms cereal to sprinkle right on top of the filling before we sandwich them. Trust me, that splash of color really makes these perfect for your St Patrick’s Day Party Food spread. For more tips on getting your frostings right, you might want to read my guide on perfect sugar cookie frosting; the creaming process is similar!
For the Macaron Shells
- 150 g Almond flour (make sure it’s super finely ground!)
- 150 g Icing sugar
- 110 g Egg whites (yes, we need them aged, which I’ll explain later!)
- 40 g Sugar (granulated)
For the White Chocolate Buttercream Filling
- 150 g White chocolate, melted gently
- 115 g Unsalted butter, nice and soft
- 80 g Icing sugar
Remember, the butter must be soft enough to dent but not greasy for that buttercream to whip up beautifully. If you get this right, these shells will be singing!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Alright, now we get into the real action! Macarons are fun because they look impossibly fancy, but the method is just precise steps, not magic. Since developing the perfect meringue and macaronage is an art form, I’m referencing my detailed, standard process here—you’ll want to make sure your shells are already baked and cooled before we move on to the fun part: the filling!
If you’re deep into the process and need a refresher on getting those gorgeous little ‘feet,’ I always go back to the basics outlined in guides like the one from King Arthur Baking, but the crucial thing is handling the batter gently. You can check out their recipe if you need to restart your shell baking!
Preparing the Macaron Shells
For this section, we are assuming you’ve already completed the first instruction: You’ve prepped and baked your meringue shells. This means you have perfectly baked, smooth, hollow-free shells ready to go. They need to be completely cooled on the tray first before you try to peel them off. Trust me, trying to remove a warm shell is a guaranteed way to break it!
Once off the mat or parchment, match up your shells by size—you want the biggest ones paired together. Having a good match makes the final sandwich look so professional. Pop them into an airtight container while you whip up the glorious filling!
Making the White Chocolate Buttercream
This filling is what transforms these from vanilla cookies into something special. You have to make sure your butter is perfectly soft, not melted at all. Start by beating that soft butter until it looks pale and fluffy in your mixing bowl. This takes a few minutes!
Next, add in your icing sugar and mix until everything is incorporated. Now for the star: slowly drizzle in your melted white chocolate while the mixer is running. Keep beating until it’s all smooth. It might look slightly soft at first, but you need to let this buttercream cool down a touch before piping. If it’s too melty, it will just ooze out everywhere when you assemble the macarons. We want a nice, firm texture that holds its shape.
Assembling Your Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Load that fluffy buttercream into your piping bag with that nice round tip. Pipe a generous swirl onto the flat side of one macaron shell. This is where you can get creative!
Take a small pinch of your crushed Lucky Charms cereal (save the marshmallows for the top!) and sprinkle them directly onto the wet buttercream. This makes sure the cereal sticks nicely. Then, gently place the top shell onto the filling, twisting slightly as you press down just enough to spread the filling and secure the match. It feels fragile, but you’ve got this!
Finally, the hardest step: we need them to rest and mature so the shells soften up around the filling. Place all your assembled macarons into an airtight container and chill them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is crucial for texture!
Tips for Success with Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Macarons are fussy, I won’t lie—they are divas of the baking world! But once you know their little quirks, they behave perfectly every time. I learned the hard way that humidity is the absolute enemy, so try not to attempt these on a super rainy day if you can help it. If you must bake when it’s damp, you might need to add an extra minute or two to your drying time for the shells.
Also, please listen to me about the egg whites! You want to “age” your egg whites by letting them sit out on the counter for 24 hours before whipping them. They whip up much stiffer that way, which is exactly what we need for stability. For more confidence boosting ideas on baking precision, check out my tips for perfect scones, as those ratios are just as important!
And finally, the macaronage—that’s the mixing of the batter. You must stop mixing when the batter flows like molten lava off your spatula, forming a figure-eight that disappears slowly. If you overmix, you get flat, lifeless cookies. If you under-mix, you get bumpy tops. It takes practice, but you can totally master it! If you’re struggling, take a peek at this general guide for visual cues regarding the batter flow.
Making Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons for a St Patrick’s Day Party
These aren’t just cookies; they are little edible pieces of holiday joy! When you are planning your menu for St Patrick’s Day Party Food, these macarons should absolutely be front and center. You want your guests to grab these first, trust me.
For the ultimate effect, you should definitely tint your macaron batter green before piping! Just a drop or two of gel food coloring into the meringue will give you the perfect pastel green that looks so festive. This makes them a knockout addition to any selection of Green Foods For Party.
When you assemble them, make sure you really load up on those colorful marshmallow pieces after you pipe the filling. Seriously, don’t be shy! It makes them instantly recognizable and adds that perfect pop of color contrast against the creamy white chocolate filling. If you’re looking for other fun holiday baking inspiration, I always browse my collection of holiday party recipes for new ideas!
Storage and Serving Suggestions for Your Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Okay, you’ve made your gorgeous little masterpieces, now how do we keep them looking and tasting perfect? Macarons are notoriously delicate creatures, so they need special handling, especially once they are filled with that beautiful white chocolate buttercream. The goal is to let those flavors marry properly without the shells going soft too fast.
My number one rule for any filled macaron is this: they absolutely must chill! Once you’ve sandwiched them together, make sure they go straight back into the fridge. Keep them in a sturdy, airtight container. They are happiest in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you try to just leave them on the counter, the filling gets too warm, and the shells can start to weep or get sticky, which is just tragic.
When it’s time to serve them up for your St Patrick’s Day gathering, you can’t serve them straight from the fridge! Believe it or not, serving them ice cold dulls the flavor of the white chocolate filling. Take them out about 20 to 30 minutes before you plan to eat them. This lets them come up to room temperature, which softens the filling just enough and brings out the full nutty flavor of the almond shells.
For pairing, since these are rich and sweet—thanks to the white chocolate and the cereal—I usually like to serve them alongside something lighter to keep everyone from getting sugar overload. We often put them out on a big platter next to some fruit or something savory. If you’re looking for inspiration for that side platter, I put together a great guide on creating a really beautiful healthy snack plate to balance out all the sweet treats!
Don’t try to freeze them if you can avoid it, especially with the buttercream filling. If you absolutely have to store them longer than five days, wrap them individually tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. When thawing, let them come to room temperature *inside* the container—this stops condensation from getting all over the delicate shells!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
I totally get it—baking macarons brings up a million little questions because they feel so technical! Don’t stress, though. Most of the issues people run into are super easy fixes once you know what to look for, especially when you’re trying to whip up a big batch of St Patrick’s Day Snacks For Kids!
Can I make the shells ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. Macaron shells actually taste better after a day or two because the humidity in the fridge settles into the shell, making it chewier. You can bake your shells, let them cool completely, and store them in a perfectly airtight container at room temperature for two days. If you need longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure they are fully cooled before putting them away!
How do I make these macarons suitable for kids?
Since these are sweet by nature, the main thing for kids is moderation, right? These Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons are wonderful for all ages, but for the little ones, I take an extra step. I use a very light hand when spreading the white chocolate buttercream. Also, if you are worried about food coloring, you can skip tinting the shells green and just rely on the natural color of the cereal marshmallows on top for that Saint Patrick Day Food appeal!
What if my buttercream is too runny?
This happens when the white chocolate is still too warm when you mix it into the butter and sugar, or sometimes if your butter was too soft to start. Don’t panic; we can save it! Just pop the whole bowl into the fridge for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, take it out and give it a quick whip with your electric mixer again. That chilling time usually firms up the fats just enough so you get the stiffness needed to pipe beautiful, perfect swirls.
If you want to learn the trick for making tiny ones for tea parties, check out my guide on how to make mini-macarons for a different challenge!
Nutritional Estimate for Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Okay, let’s talk numbers for a second. You know I focus way more on flavor than counting every single calorie, especially when it comes to holiday treats that are meant to be enjoyed! Because these Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons involve melting chocolate and whipping butter, they definitely fall into the “treat yourself” category. But since we are making two dozen, the portion size is reasonable!
Please remember that this is totally an estimate, based on standard ingredient types and assuming you use the cereal pieces sparingly on top for decoration. If you go crazy with the crushed cereal or decide to use extra chocolate, those numbers will shift! I always run this through my basic calculator just so I have a rough idea.
Here is what you can generally expect per finished macaron:
- Calories: Approximately 160 – 180 kcal
- Fat: Around 9g – 11g (mostly from the butter and white chocolate)
- Protein: Roughly 3g (thanks to the almond flour and egg whites)
- Carbohydrates: Around 18g – 22g (This is where the icing sugar and almond flour land!)
Think of these as a petite indulgence. If you’re serving a big spread of St Patrick’s Day Food Ideas, one or two of these sweet little sandwiches mixed with some healthier snacks will make everyone very happy!
Share Your Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons Creations
Now it’s your turn, because honestly, I can’t wait to see your rainbow marshmallows shining on top of these! Baking is meant to be shared, and I truly thrive on seeing how you all interpret my baking experiments.
Once you’ve let your Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons chill and mature, please snap a picture! Let me know how the white chocolate filling held up against the crisp shell. Did you go heavy on the green food coloring? Did you crush the cereal or sprinkle the marshmallows individually?
Don’t be shy about leaving a comment right here on the post! Tell me what you thought—was the balance of sweetness just right? Did these become your favorite St Patrick’s Day Food this year?
If you want to shout about your success on social media, tag me! I adore seeing your baking triumphs, especially when they involve sprinkles and fun colors. If you have any burning questions that I somehow missed in the FAQ section, or if you just want to send a virtual thank you note, you can always reach out through my contact page!
- Let me know if the chilling time was perfect for your fridge.
- Please drop a comment rating the recipe out of five stars!
- Share photos on Instagram and tag me so I can admire your handiwork!
I hope these macarons bring a little slice of rainbow magic to your kitchen, just like they always do for mine. This recipe is a keeper, showing that even the fanciest French desserts can have a playful side.
By Hanna Foster, Adaptation Specialist at Recipes by Betty.
Lucky Charms White Chocolate Macarons
Equipment
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
For Shells
- 150 g Almond flour
- 150 g Icing sugar
- 110 g Egg whites
- 40 g Sugar
For White Chocolate Buttercream
- 150 g White chocolate Melted
- 115 g Unsalted butter Soft
- 80 g Icing sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the macaronage and shells following your standard vanilla macaron procedure.
- Gently melt the white chocolate using a double boiler or in a microwave on low power.
- Beat the soft butter until it becomes creamy.
- Add the icing sugar to the butter and mix until well combined.
- Slowly pour the melted white chocolate into the butter mixture while beating until everything is fully combined.
- Allow the buttercream to cool slightly until it reaches a texture suitable for piping.
- Pipe the filling onto the macaron shells, pair them, and sandwich them together.
- Chill the assembled macarons for 30 minutes before serving.