• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Southern FATTY

Loosen your bow tie, mint your julep, & stop in for a bite to eat.

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Press
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Nashville
    • Beyond
  • Recipes
    • ALL RECIPES
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Condiments / Dips / Sauces
    • Confections / Sweets
    • Mains / Entrées >>
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Vegetable
    • Sides / Appetizers
  • Photography
  • Subscribe

Unicorn Macarons

January 9, 2017 By Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com 58 Comments

Unicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.com

Some of you may be thinking that I started some crazy fad New Year’s diet and am just confused and hallucinating a bit with this one. Others will know what all of the kids are up to these days and realize that this is my my take on a recent popular cheery unicorn dessert fad. Everyone wants a unicorn, right?

Unicorn macarons are here to stay! Perfect almond French macarons with pink and blue swirls, topped with as many sprinkles as all of your dreams will allow. Filled with cotton candy buttercream

Unicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.com

It all started when during the blast of winter, a little cafe in California delivered a magical hot chocolate recipe full of cheer and sprinkles and colors to it’s customers. There’s something about blasting a dessert with the brightest sprinkled sugar confetti that just makes it taste and feel that much better. Winter blues? Sprinkles. Sick of that lousy Whole 30 thing you’ve been begging to break? Sprinkles. Tossing some rainbow lovin’ on top of that dessert is the best way to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

If you haven’t made macarons before, I would definitely suggest that you read up a bit about them before jumping in. NOW… don’t freak out and lose your sprinkles over it. It can be daunting to read everyone say to do this and that and not this and certainly not that, etc. Just try it out. It might fail. So what? Do it again and just try to enjoy the learning process with it. Once you master that, the macarons will soon follow. PS – We have what I think is a great guide HERE for everything Macarons 101. We even have a nice FREE printable template that you can use to pipe them out.

Now… for some pictures! Because I’m pretty sure unicorns are creatures of few words.

Unicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.comUnicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.comUnicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.comUnicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.comUnicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.com

What would unicorn filling taste like? Totally normal question to ask yourself mid-day on a Saturday, right? Thought so too. Unicorn filling made me thing of unicorn poop. Unicorn poop is obviously not gross BECAUSE IT’S FROM A UNICORN. It would be made of pure glitter and cotton candy, I think. Case closed. Cotton candy and glitter buttercream it is. Turns out, that’s pretty simple. Some nice buttercream base, cotton candy flavoring, and a shit ton of unicorn-worthy edible glitter or sanding sugar.

Unicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.com

Macarons Baking

The fun part about these is that you can really put anything you want on them for sprinkles. All jimmies? Who the hell wants that?! It’s 2016.. err 2017, I mean. Even though the 1990s still sounds like it was only 10 years ago to me, it’s time to update your sprinkle stock. It’s amazing how many different types you can find these days. Internet, y’all. It’s crazy out there on Etsy and stuff.

I mixed together a bunch of different random shapes and colors for my macs. Added some edible glitter. Considered using an airbrush to make a chocolate horn but got too lazy and decided that I wanted to eat them now instead. You know… the usual.

Unicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.comUnicorn Macarons by SouthernFATTY.com

I mean.. come on. You can’t help but smile a bit when you see this many colors in one bite. If you want something just as bright and fun to drink with these, the world’s most beautiful Unicorn Hot Chocolate recipe is over at Love & Olive Oil today. Seriously. Go check that out. It’s what sparked this whole thing, really. At dinner last week, Lindsay was telling me all about the whole world of unicorn desserts and I was sold. Shiny, flashy, colorful? Something to distract me? I’m in! I quite literally spent the entire weekend waist deep in sprinkles and buttercream. So… a normal weekend but with a really, really cute prize at the end. I’m positive I’ll be finding sprinkles in my kitchen for the next month.

A bit of cheer during dreary winter. Enjoy, y’all!

Unicorn Macarons
 
Print
Prep time
45 mins
Cook time
15 mins
Total time
1 hour
 
Unicorn macarons recipe using our simple Macarons 101 guide. Full of sprinkles and cotton candy buttercream. Easy, colorful recipe by SouthernFATTY.com.
Author: Phillip Fryman | SouthernFATTY.com
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Serves: 24 assembled macarons
Ingredients
Macaron Shells
  • 90 grams egg whites (3 large egg whites), room temperature
  • 55 grams (~ ¼ cup) superfine sugar (granulated sugar in food processor until fine)
  • 200 grams (~ 1 and ⅔ cup) confectioner's sugar
  • 110 grams (~ 1 cup) almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • pinch salt
  • food coloring, I use THIS gel coloring
  • sprinkles, lots of sprinkles
  • piping bags
Cotton Candy Buttercream Filling
  • 8 tablespoons butter, unsalted, softened
  • 16-24 ounces confectioner's sugar, sifted well
  • few drops cotton candy flavoring, I used THIS one
  • pinch salt
  • edible glitter or sanding sugar
  • pink food coloring, optional
Instructions
Macaron Shells
  1. Before you begin making macarons, please VISIT OUR MACARONS: 101 GUIDE for tips.
  2. Place room temperature egg whites in mixer bowl.
  3. With whisk attachment, whisk at medium speed until foamy, about a minute.
  4. Add superfine granulated sugar and cream of tartar. Mix until VERY stiff peaks form. You should be able to reverse the whisk and have the peak stands very tall without falling.
  5. Split into two even batches. Add food coloring here if desired. Add a bit more than you think you need, as it will fade slightly when baking.
  6. In a different bowl, sift together almond flour and confectioner's sugar. Repeat and sift a total of 4-5 times, removing any large pieces left behind after each sift.
  7. Add almond flour mix to stiffened egg whites.
  8. Using proper folding technique (see blog post for explanation of this!), fold until you can ribbon an "8" that holds into the batter. This should take about 50 proper strokes. THIS is the most important step in proper macaronage.
  9. If you want the swirled look, put each color into its own piping bag. Place the two piping bags together into a new bag. You will then have one bag with the two inserted color mixes.
  10. Pipe macaron circles onto paper-lined baking sheets using the macaron template from our MACARONS: 101 Guide and instructions available HERE.
  11. To pipe swirls, simply squeeze evenly at a 90 degree angle and twist slightly counter-clockwise. Stay in the same spot, only rotating your hand in the same center point.
  12. Sprinkle with sprinkles immediately.
  13. Let the shells rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to form hardened tops.
  14. Bake at 290 F for about 16 minutes. Be sure your oven temperature is exact. Use a thermometer to verify.
  15. Remove and let cool completely before removing from baking sheets.
Cotton Candy Glitter Buttercream Filling
  1. Add softened butter to mixer. Whip until smooth.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Add more confectioner's sugar as needed for tight enough texture.
Finishing
  1. Pipe filling between two shells and enjoy!
  2. Visit SouthernFATTY.com for more.
Notes
Recipe based on Macarons 101: A Beginner's Guide from Southern FATTY. Find that guide HERE. -- Copyright 2017 - SouthernFATTY.com
3.5.3226

Looking for our Macarons 101 Guide? Find it HERE.

Rice Krispies Treat Macarons

Rice Krispies Macarons

Raspberry Almond Macarons

Raspberry Almond Macarons

Filed Under: Confections / Sweets Tagged With: almond, baked, cookies, dessert, french, macarons, sprinkles, sweet, unicorn, valentines

Previous Post: « Persimmon Ginger Gin Fizz
Next Post: Sparkling Sweet Bourbon Cocktail »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Hogan Miles

    August 1, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  2. Lili

    February 23, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    hi!!! I was wondering if you would let me use one of your macaroon photos as a digital background for my photography edits? Its perfect for a candy land theme!!

    Reply
  3. Moganna Lots

    November 12, 2020 at 11:57 pm

    The images really captures my eyes. Thanks for providing the recipe, it’s helpful

    Reply
  4. Opauline Shelton

    September 21, 2020 at 10:09 am

    They look delicious I am going to try your recipe first time making them.

    Reply
  5. Alex @ Alexander Hendrickson

    February 9, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Just out of curiosity, have you ever tried Swerve granular and confectioner’s sugar with these? Everything but the sugar on these is keto / low-carb friendly. May have to test that out! Love the colors!

    Reply
  6. Esther [email protected]

    October 8, 2019 at 1:45 am

    I am new to this recipe, but i can do one for myself following the instruction provided

    Reply
  7. Carmen Lester

    August 27, 2018 at 12:17 am

    Can you just make these for me and I will buy?? I need them to be just as perfect as those were. I am not a baker, so I need them by the 25th of September 2018. Can you make this happen?

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      August 28, 2018 at 10:36 am

      I wish I had the time to make them that often!

      Reply
  8. Jill Penfold

    April 21, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    Hi everyone!!!
    Ok first of all, I loved the pink and blue.
    I was going great guns until the G.D oven. Only half my Macarons had feet. The sprinkle were too heavy. I posted a picture of them on my IG @averybritishactress
    Feel free to check it out.
    I tried a second time but only used blue. The blue turned brown once cooked, how do I overcome that?
    I feel like I can only make mini ones?? I use a silicone sheet, WTF am I doing wrong?
    Love Jill

    Reply
  9. Haley

    February 20, 2018 at 1:54 am

    These are so beautiful and I was so excited to try them, but then I remembered that I’ve just been diagnosed with egg white allergy (the hives and face swelling is not fun). So I am highly disappointed that I can’t make these or try them, but I wanted to say that they look stunning!

    Reply
    • Lori P.

      June 29, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      You can totally make macarons with aquafaba (the cooking liquid from beans, such as chickpeas)! I haven’t tried it myself, but here is a link: https://www.supergoldenbakes.com/2016/07/vegan-aquafaba-macarons.html. Then you could still add the fun sprinkles, glitter, and cotton candy buttercream filling!

      Reply
      • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

        July 5, 2018 at 1:47 pm

        I’ve read quite a few resources about using aquafaba for a replacement. Seems like people have great success with it. I’ll have to try it sometime. Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
  10. Tisha

    February 17, 2018 at 12:42 am

    Beautiful! Where did you get your blue rimmed silpat?

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      February 17, 2018 at 7:16 pm

      It was actually sent to me by Diamond Crystal Sugar. I do like the Amazon brand silicone mats a lot. Less than $10 for two.

      Reply
  11. Susan

    January 31, 2018 at 7:57 am

    Wow, I am so impressed by the creativity! Thank you so much for posting this. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      February 4, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      Awww, thanks! I had a blast making these. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Sheri Kelly

    May 14, 2017 at 11:42 pm

    SO descriptive and ultimately accurate!!! Thanks for so much humor and wit…its almost as if I can hear you…!!
    Can’t wait to try the unicorn macarons!
    I’ll definitely be following you.

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      May 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      D’awwww, thanks!

      Reply
  13. Evan Kay

    February 25, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    How are the sprinkles and other toppings adhereing to the finished cookies? I don’t see this mentioned in the recipe.
    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      February 25, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Step 12. Good luck!

      Reply
  14. Stephanie

    February 7, 2017 at 7:40 am

    These are absolutely gorgeous. Making macarons has been a goal of mine for a long time and these beauties are inspiring me. Just one question: how do you get your pink and blue shells to swirl so perfectly? Any tips or tricks?

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      February 7, 2017 at 11:00 am

      Thanks! I’ve updated the recipe section with more instructions on how to pipe the swirls. Good luck!

      Reply
  15. MC LaTableDeNana

    February 1, 2017 at 11:09 am

    Hi..I just found your blog..I was Googling macarons..always on a quest to get them right every time..not 2 out of 3..I have been drawing my templates from one that came from a French kit..I have the rubber mat and it just does not work for me..Googled printable macarons templates and you came up..I read your macarons 101..and loved the desciption..humor:)
    So I am a new follower and I wanted to say thank you for the template..I am going to go see if it perinted up..Thses are adorable by the way.

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      February 1, 2017 at 11:22 am

      So glad! These were one of my favorites to make. Something unique and a bit different from the usual macarons. Happy you enjoyed the Macarons 101 guide. Let me know how it goes next time you try using the template!

      Reply
  16. Julie // The Little Kitchen

    January 16, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    these are beyond, Philip!!!!!! LOVE!

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 16, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Thaaaaanks, Julie! Come to town and visit so we can all have a party!

      Reply
  17. TrueWaBetty

    January 10, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Gosh I asked Santa for my own handsome southern gent that could cook…. I got slippers *ugggg*

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 10, 2017 at 4:32 pm

      Santa was, ummm…. busy. But he did bring some donuts of himself earlier! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Rahul @samosastreet.com

    January 10, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    I so miss your goodies, Phillip. Now that I am at Alabama, I think we need to meet up soon for some macarons

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 10, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      Definitely! Come see us!

      Reply
  19. Josh @ The Kentucky Gent

    January 10, 2017 at 9:49 am

    You’re a macaron master! These look amazzzzing.

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 10, 2017 at 10:02 am

      Thanks! — I’ll add Mac Master & Sprinkle Slinger™ to my card. *huur flip*

      Reply
  20. Esteban Castillo

    January 9, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    As kids say nowadays, this post was pretty lit. SO GOOD!

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 9, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      That’s so… fetch. (Thanks!)

      Reply
  21. Kari Guastella

    January 9, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    These are such gorgeous macarons! I’ve taken to having to go over to my parent’s house to use their gas oven for making my macarons. My terrible electric oven was just not getting the right consistency!
    Kari
    https://sweetteasweetie.com/antioxidant-smoothie-post-raisin-bran/

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 9, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks! I use an electric oven while hating it every moment. I had to drop the temp for these because they were being finicky w the sprinkle weight on top. 3 batches later and I figured it all out. Oy!

      Reply
  22. Lindsay

    January 9, 2017 at 8:31 am

    Know what we need now? A cup of my hot chocolate with one of your macarons on top. The world might just implode.

    Reply
    • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

      January 9, 2017 at 8:44 am

      YESSS! *mic drop*

      Reply
    • Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate

      January 9, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      You two are absolutely KILLING me today with all this unicorn business. Will you both promise me you’ll make these treats for the birthday party next month (and when I’m officially NOT on W30 anymore)????

      Reply
      • Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

        January 9, 2017 at 1:39 pm

        I guessssss so. But, I’m pretty sure that anything unicorn is magical and contains zero everything bad. Just sayin’.

        Reply
  23. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    August 7, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    More color the better!

    Reply
  24. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    September 2, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    The more unicorn recipes the better! Thanks for including us.

    Reply
  25. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    September 2, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Cheers!

    Reply
  26. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    November 12, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Cheers!

    Reply
  27. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    December 12, 2018 at 10:50 am

    Thanks!

    Reply
  28. Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com

    December 12, 2018 at 4:49 pm

    Great roundup!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 12 Unicorn-Inspired Treats | Balancing Motherhood says:
    August 22, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    […] Cakery Unicorn Ice Cream from Bread Booze Bacon Vegan Unicorn Cookies from Vegan Dollhouse Unicorn Macarons from Southern Fatty Einhorn Torte Unicorn Cake from City Cupcakes Unicorn Freakshake from Milk, […]

    Reply
  2. 25 Simply Magical Unicorn Inspired Food Recipes You'll Love! - Joyenergizer says:
    June 26, 2019 at 2:14 pm

    […] Get the Recipe […]

    Reply
  3. 50 Easy French Macaron - Karluci says:
    January 15, 2019 at 7:05 pm

    […] Unicorn Macarons by Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  4. 23 Simple But Stunning Desserts You Simply Need To See | The Gorgeous List says:
    December 12, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    […] Via Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  5. 7 Magical Unicorn Cookies - Mommyhooding says:
    December 11, 2018 at 10:54 am

    […] Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  6. 23 Simple But Stunning Desserts You Simply Need To See - The Gorgeous List says:
    November 8, 2018 at 2:21 am

    […] Via Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  7. 25 Unicorn Party Snacks for the Most Magical Party Ever - Parties365 says:
    August 26, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    […] Unicorn Macaroons | Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  8. 10 Super Tasty Macaron Recipes on Pinterest | Mom Spark - Mom Blogger says:
    August 13, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    […] 5. Unicorn Macarons by Southern Fatty […]

    Reply
  9. Unicorn Food (Yes, That's a Thing That You Should Know About Now) says:
    July 25, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    […] to teach your unicorn new tricks. Use positive reinforcement by giving your unicorn one of these Unicorn Macaroons any time they successfully complete a command. Be careful not to overfeed your unicorn. Unicorns […]

    Reply
  10. 10 AMAZING RECIPES PARTY WITH RAINBOWS AND UNICORNS ~ FREE PRINTABLES - Partylovin says:
    June 6, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    […] Unicorn Macarons […]

    Reply
  11. 30 Creative Cotton Candy Recipes: Fluffy Goodness | Chief Health says:
    May 30, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    […] Article Image From: SouthernFatty […]

    Reply
  12. 26 Brilliant Unicorn Recipes that are Perfect for Summer Parties says:
    May 29, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    […] Unicorn Macarons | Southern Fatty […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Footer

Southern FATTY is a Nashville, TN based food blog with everything delicious.

Loosen your bow tie, mint your julep & stop in for a bite to eat. Read More…

SUBSCRIBE

© 2012-2022 Southern FATTY Media, LLC
 · by Phillip Fryman · Privacy / Terms & Conditions · Contact Us · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED



 

Loading Comments...
 

    Previous Persimmon Ginger Gin Fizz Persimmon Ginger Gin Fizz
    Next Sparkling Sweet Bourbon Cocktail by SouthernFATTY.com Sparkling Sweet Bourbon Cocktail