Name: Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup almond meal; 1.5 cups confectioners sugar; ¼ cup granulated white sugar; 3 egg whites at room temperature; ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar; ½ cup pumpkin butter; ¾ cup confectioners sugar; 1 tablespoon water; black food color; orange food color; purple food color; spooky sprinkles for decorating

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 14 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a truly unique and festive treat this season, you’re going to love this Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe. These charming little goodies combine the delicate crunch of classic macarons with a playful donut twist, all dressed up in spooky, colorful glaze and sprinkles. Seriously, they’re fan-freaking-tastic for parties, gifts, or just a cozy day of seasonal baking. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail them perfectly!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Macaron Texture: Sifting the almond meal and confectioners sugar multiple times ensures smooth, shiny shells that have just the right chewy-crisp bite.
Room Temperature Egg Whites: Using room temp egg whites helps achieve that perfect stiff peak meringue essential for macaron success.
Fun Donut Design: The addition of colorful glaze and spooky sprinkles give these macarons festive personality without sacrificing flavor.
No-Fuss Pumpkin Butter Filling: The pumpkin butter adds just the right creamy fall flavor, balancing the sweet shells and glaze beautifully.

The image shows multiple small round cookies, each with two layers: a light beige cookie base and colorful frosting on top. Some cookies have orange frosting with a large white and black candy eye in the middle, decorated with small white ghost shapes and purple, black, and orange sprinkles. Other cookies have dark purple frosting topped with a small orange pumpkin candy and pumpkin-shaped sprinkles. There are also cookies with white frosting and colorful candy petals in red, green, yellow, and orange arranged like a flower around a dark chocolate center. The cookies are placed on a crinkled gray paper over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are simple but carefully chosen to create an authentic macaron texture combined with Halloween-themed flavors and decoration that really pop. When shopping, look for fresh almond meal and a quality pumpkin butter that’s rich in flavor without being too runny.

Almond Meal: Make sure it’s finely ground so your macarons have smooth tops, not grainy bumps.
Confectioners Sugar: Helps sweeten evenly and combine with almond meal for the perfect macaron shell base.
Granulated White Sugar: Essential for stabilizing the egg whites and creating that glossy meringue.
Egg Whites: Must be room temperature for the best meringue volume and structure.
Cream of Tartar: This little acid helps stabilize egg whites so they hold firm peaks.
Pumpkin Butter: The creamy filling that brings seasonal flavor to your macarons.
Food Coloring (Black, Orange, Purple): Adds the perfect Halloween vibe to your glaze.
Spooky Sprinkles: These are the fun finishing touches! Use what you love or have on hand.
Water: To make the glaze smooth and perfect for decorating.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you prefer a different filling or want to adjust the colors to match your party theme, personalization is welcome here!

Filling Variations: I once swapped pumpkin butter with spiced cream cheese frosting — it was delicious and gave a tangy punch that went beautifully with the sweet shells.
Color Mixing: Feel free to experiment with food colors—green or red could add unexpected twists to your spooky designs.
Sprinkle Swaps: When I ran out of spooky sprinkles last year, I used crushed candy corn bits for a pop of color and crunch that was a huge hit!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Smooth Macaron Batter

Start by sifting the almond meal and confectioners sugar together not just once, but three times. Yes, thrice! This little extra step might seem tedious, but trust me—it ensures those glossy, smooth macarons with no pesky lumps or bumps. Meanwhile, separate your egg whites when they’re cold and let them come to room temperature for about an hour—that’s crucial for getting stiff, stable peaks.

Step 2: Whipping the Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks

Using your stand or hand mixer, start beating the egg whites on high speed. When they get foamy, toss in the cream of tartar. Keep going until the whites look like shaving foam, then gradually add granulated sugar. Keep beating until you have shiny, stiff peaks. This part is like magic—you’ll know you’re there when the meringue holds its shape without drooping.

Step 3: Folding in the Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the sifted almond meal and powdered sugar mix into the meringue in a few parts. The batter will be thick at first then loosen a bit as you mix. The key here? Don’t overmix or undermix. You want the batter to fall slowly from the spatula in a thick blob—too runny and your shells will spread, too stiff and they won’t smooth out.

Step 4: Piping and Resting

Transfer your batter to a pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch round tip. Pipe small 1-inch blobs onto your baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat—this is where the donut shape starts to take form later, so try to keep them consistent. Let the piped shells rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until they develop a firm skin—you’ll be able to gently touch them without batter sticking to your finger. This resting step is essential for that signature macaron “foot.”

Step 5: Baking the Macarons

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the macarons for 15-20 minutes—keep an eye on them but don’t open the oven during the first 10 minutes. Once done, let them cool completely on the tray. Removing the shells too early can cause them to crack or stick, so patience here is your best friend.

Step 6: Making the Colorful Halloween Glaze

While your shells bake, whisk together confectioners sugar with water until smooth. Divide this glaze into four parts—leave one plain, then tint the other three with black, orange, and purple food coloring. These vibrant colors give your donut macarons that unmistakable Halloween feel.

Step 7: Assembling Your Halloween Donut Macarons

Once cooled, pipe a dollop of pumpkin butter right onto the flat side of one shell. Then, take another shell and carefully dip or brush the doughnut “ring” shape with your glaze, sprinkling on spooky sprinkles while it’s still wet. Stack the glazed ring on top of the pumpkin butter base to form your donut macaron. This is the fun part where your little edible donuts really come to life!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe

Use Fresh Almond Meal: Buying fresh, fine almond meal from a reputable source made all the difference for my smooth shells.
Be Patient with Resting: Don’t skip the drying time before baking—this step helps create that lovely crust and prevents cracking.
Practice Folding Technique: Folding is an art—go slow and fold gently to keep the air in without making the batter runny.
Decorate While Glaze is Wet: Add your sprinkles immediately after glazing for the best adhesion and appearance.

How to Serve Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe

The image shows small round treats with two beige biscuit layers. Between the layers is a thin layer of white cream. The top biscuit is decorated with a thick layer of bright orange icing that drips a little down the sides. On top of the icing is a large edible eye with a white base and a black pupil in the center. Around the eye are sprinkles in black, white, purple, and orange shapes, some shaped like bats or ghosts. Other similar treats with different colored icing, like deep purple with orange and white decorations, appear slightly out of focus in the background on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple yet festive—usually, I add a few edible glitter accents or shimmer dust on top to make the colors pop even more. A small candy eyeball or bat-shaped sprinkle can really add character if you’re feeling extra creative!

Side Dishes

Pair these macarons with a warm cup of spiced chai or pumpkin latte for autumn vibes. They also go surprisingly well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a light pumpkin mousse for a full-on seasonal dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I presented them on a tiered dessert stand decorated with autumn leaves and mini pumpkins—it immediately became the centerpiece of my Halloween party! Wrapping a few macarons in individual clear bags tied with orange ribbons also makes adorable take-home gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (lucky you!), keep the macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The shells may soften slightly but the flavors intensify, making them even more delicious the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen assembled Halloween donut macarons by layering them carefully between parchment paper in a sealed container. They freeze well for up to a month — just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Macarons aren’t really meant to be reheated, but if you want your glaze to be a little softer, let the macarons sit at room temperature for 20 minutes after removing from fridge. Avoid microwaving to keep their delicate texture intact.

FAQs

Can I make Halloween Donut Macarons without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer to whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. It might take a bit more elbow grease and time, but the results can be just as good. Just make sure to keep an eye on your meringue consistency.
What if my macarons crack or don’t develop feet?

Cracking or no feet often means your batter was either undermixed or your shells didn’t rest long enough before baking. Make sure to do the “skin test” by lightly touching; the shells should feel dry before going into the oven.
Can I substitute pumpkin butter with something else?

Yes! Cream cheese frosting or even Nutella can be tasty alternatives depending on the flavor profile you want. Just keep the filling consistency thick enough so the macarons don’t slide apart.
Do I have to use multiple glaze colors?

Not at all! You can stick to one color or even leave it plain if you prefer. The multicolor glaze just amps up the festive style, but the macarons will be delicious either way.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorite seasonal treats to make and share. They bring together the whimsy of Halloween with the elegance of French macarons, and that pumpkin butter filling just sings autumn. If you follow the steps and give yourself a little time (especially for resting those shells), you’ll be so proud of the results. I can’t wait for you to try them and wow your friends and family this Halloween!