Name: Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup almond meal; 1.5 cups confectioners sugar; 1/4 cup granulated white sugar; 3 egg whites at room temperature; 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1/2 cup pumpkin butter; 3/4 cup confectioners sugar; 1 tablespoon water; black food color; orange food color; purple food color; spooky sprinkles for decorating

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 7 reviews

If you’re searching for a show-stopping treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe. These little delights are like Halloween magic wrapped into perfect bite-sized sweets — crisp yet chewy shells, cozy pumpkin butter filling, and a colorful glaze that screams festive fun. Whether you’re baking for a Halloween party or just want to impress your friends, these donut macarons will steal the spotlight. Trust me, they’re fan-freaking-tastic, and I can’t wait to share how you can master them in your own kitchen!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect texture balance: The almond meal and powdered sugar create smooth, delicate shells that are crispy outside and chewy inside.
Classic technique with a twist: The pumpkin butter filling adds a cozy fall flavor that feels special but is super easy to whip up.
Beautiful festive glaze: Bright colored glazes with spooky sprinkles bring that Halloween vibe without much fuss.
Successful every time: With simple, precise steps, this recipe sets you up for macaron success, even if you’re a first-timer.

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

This Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe combines basic macaron ingredients with seasonal flavors and vibrant decorations, creating an irresistible combo. Each ingredient plays a key role, and I’ll give you my best tips on choosing and prepping them to make your baking smooth.

Almond meal: Use finely ground almond meal for that classic macaron chewiness—blanched is best to avoid any skins that can ruin the texture.
Confectioners sugar: This adds sweetness and helps create smooth macaron shells when sifted well.
Granulated white sugar: This sweetens and stabilizes the egg whites when whipped.
Egg whites: Room temperature egg whites whip better and give those stiff peaks needed for a perfect macaron batter.
Cream of tartar: This little acid boosts egg white stability and helps prevent over-whipping.
Pumpkin butter: This is your secret weapon filling—a rich, spiced flavor that screams fall, cozy and sweet without overpowering.
Water: For mixing the glaze—it helps you get that perfect drip consistency for decorating.
Black, orange & purple food coloring: Choose gel or paste colors for vivid, brilliant glazes that won’t thin your frosting.
Spooky sprinkles: Because what are Halloween treats without a little dash of fun and whimsy?

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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

I love how versatile this Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe is — you can easily customize these treats to fit your flavor preferences or dietary needs. When I first made them, I swapped pumpkin butter for cinnamon buttercream, and it was just as delicious! Don’t be afraid to get creative here.

Variation: Try swapping pumpkin butter with other seasonal fillings like maple cream cheese or salted caramel for a twist that anyone will adore.
Dietary swaps: For nut allergies, almonds can be tricky, but some folks have experimented with nut-free macaron recipes using sunflower seed flour—though texture may differ.
Color themes: Instead of spooky classic colors, go for neon or pastel glazes to match your party vibe or personal style.

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

Step 1: Sift to Smooth Perfection

Starting out, I sift the almond meal and confectioners sugar together not once, but three times. This might sound like overkill, but trust me, it’s the secret to gorgeous, smooth macaron shells without those annoying lumps. I actually set a timer and go for a quick kitchen dance while sifting—keeps things fun!

Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites Just Right

Separate your egg whites while they’re cold, then let them come up to room temperature for about an hour. When I beat them on high speed, I add cream of tartar as soon as they get foamy. Keep whipping until those stiff, shiny peaks form—but stop before they’re dry. This part can be tricky, so I keep a close eye and occasionally stop to check the texture.

Step 3: Fold Gently, but Fully

Fold in the almond and sugar mixture in two or three additions using a gentle spatula fold technique. Your batter will start stiff but loosen up as you go—that’s your cue it’s ready. The batter should fall from your spatula in a blob that drips slightly; not too runny, or you’ll lose structure. If you’re new to folding, I recommend watching a quick video to see the difference. It made a world of difference for me!

Step 4: Pipe, Rest, Bake

Pipe your batter onto a lined baking sheet using a half-inch round tip. I aim for roughly one-inch blobs spaced well apart. Then, very importantly, let them rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until they form a slight, matte skin on top—this step helps get that iconic macaron “foot” during baking. Lastly, bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. My oven runs a little hot, so I peek in at 15 minutes and adjust as needed.

Step 5: Assemble Your Donut Macarons

Once cooled, pipe a dollop of pumpkin butter onto a macaron base, then glaze the donut ring shells with your colorful glazes. I mix confectioners sugar and water, then split the glaze into three bowls, adding black, orange, and purple gel food color for that perfect Halloween vibe. Apply glaze to the rings, add spooky sprinkles, and sandwich them together. The final result is adorably festive and even better than expected!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe

Use aged egg whites: I like to separate egg whites a day ahead and leave them covered in the fridge; it really helps make stronger peaks.
Rest without rushing: Don’t skip the resting time before baking—if they’re not dry to the touch, they might crack or stick badly.
Color glaze strategically: Using gel food color keeps your glaze thick and vibrant without thinning it too much.
Cool completely before filling: Macaron shells are fragile when warm—letting them cool ensures your filling doesn’t leak or make the shells soggy.

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 top these festive donuts with a mix of spooky sprinkles—think tiny bat shapes, black and orange nonpareils, and even a dusting of edible glitter for that magical sparkle. It elevates the look quickly and makes them irresistible, especially for kids. You can even add tiny candy eyes for an extra fun touch!

Side Dishes

These macarons pair beautifully with a cozy cup of chai latte or a pumpkin spice coffee. For a Halloween gathering, I like serving them alongside mini caramel apples or candied nuts to keep with the seasonal theme.

Creative Ways to Present

When hosting, I arrange the donut macarons on a tiered cake stand decorated with faux spider webs and mini pumpkins. Another idea is placing each one in a tiny, clear cupcake liner with a Halloween-themed tag—it makes a perfect take-home favor your guests will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe treats in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for about 3 days, which is perfect because they rarely stick around longer at my house! Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep the glaze intact.

Freezing

If you want to make these in advance, freezing works wonderfully. I freeze the shells separately before assembling, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and zip bags. When ready to serve, just thaw in the fridge and fill as usual to keep the texture fresh.

Reheating

Macarons are best enjoyed at room temperature, so I take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. If you want to warm the filling slightly, a few seconds in the microwave (under 10 seconds) works—but be careful, as too much heat can melt the shells.

FAQs

Can I make the Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe without almond meal?

Almond meal is essential to macarons’ classic texture and flavor, so replacing it is tricky. For nut allergies, you might experiment with sunflower seed flour, but results will differ in taste and texture. Otherwise, stick with almond meal for best success.
Why do I need to rest the macaron shells before baking?

Resting allows a thin skin to form on the batter’s surface, which helps create the signature smooth top and the “feet” during baking. Skipping this step may cause cracks or sticking.
Can I use store-bought pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin butter?

Store-bought pumpkin puree is usually very watery and lacks the sweetness and spice blend that pumpkin butter offers. If using puree, you’d need to reduce the moisture and add sugar and spices to get a similar flavor and consistency.
How do I prevent macarons from sticking to the baking sheet?

Use a silicone mat or parchment paper, and make sure to let the macarons cool fully before trying to remove them. Also, stirring the batter just enough (not too little or too much) helps develop the right structure for easy release.
What if my macarons crack or don’t form feet?

This usually indicates over- or under-mixing, or insufficient resting time. Follow the folding instructions carefully, and make sure to rest the shells before baking to let that skin form. Oven temperature also matters—try an oven thermometer to check your heat is accurate.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Donut Macarons Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite fall projects. Not only does it deliver impressive, delicious results, but it’s also a fun way to get into the holiday spirit in the kitchen. I love sharing these with friends who always can’t believe I made them myself — and you will love the look on faces when you present these festive beauties! So go ahead, grab your ingredients, and dive into this playful, rewarding bake. I promise you won’t regret it.