Celebrate Lunar New Year with Festive Pineapple Tart Macarons

Pineapple is a cherished ingredient during Lunar New Year, as it symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The Chinese word for pineapple, “feng li” (飞利), sounds similar to “coming prosperity” (幸福來). Its sweet, tangy flavor brings a refreshing burst of brightness to any celebration. 

Black tea, on the other hand, adds a layer of warmth and sophistication, grounding the macarons with its earthy and slightly floral notes. Tea is an integral part of Chinese culture, often served as a gesture of hospitality and respect. By incorporating black tea into the ganache, these macarons pay homage to this cherished tradition.

Together, the combination of pineapple and black tea creates a balance of sweet and aromatic flavors, making these macarons the perfect treat to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.
  

Why Macarons?

Macarons may not be a traditional Lunar New Year dessert, but their vibrant colors and elegant presentation make them a delightful addition to your festive table. Plus, they’re highly versatile, allowing you to customize the designs to reflect the holiday spirit. For this recipe, consider piping the macaron shells in hues of amber and beige to mimic the warm, golden tones of pineapple and tea.

A Thoughtful Gift for Loved Ones

Homemade treats always carry an extra layer of meaning, and these Pineapple Tart Macarons are no exception. Pack them in beautiful red or gold boxes to create thoughtful gifts for family and friends. Not only are they a delicious treat, but they also embody the heartfelt wishes of happiness and prosperity for the year ahead.

Tips for Success

• Plan ahead: Macarons require precision and patience, so take your time and don’t rush the process. Remember to allow the assembled macarons to rest in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This step helps the flavors meld and creates that perfect balance between chewy shells and the ganache.

• Share the joy: Baking is always more fun with loved ones. Turn the macaron-making process into a family activity, letting everyone join in on the fun of piping, filling, and assembling.
  
  

Happy Lunar New Year and happy baking! May your year be filled with prosperity, joy, and, of course, delicious treats!

A Playful Twist on Dragons
These macarons are a whimsical and minimalistic take on the dragon theme, inspired by my previous dinosaur macarons (you might recognize the style!). With a softer, baby-friendly design, these tiny dragons are both adorable and symbolic—a perfect nod to new beginnings and the joy Asher has brought into our lives.    

Themed for Our Little One
In addition to the dragons, I created a set that fits perfectly for a baby celebration. The macarons are accompanied by charming milk bottles, fluffy clouds, and personalized pieces with Asher’s name and initial. ☁️❤️  These elements add a special, personal touch, making the whole set feel even more meaningful. 

For Sweet Celebrations

If you’re welcoming a new baby in the year of the Dragon, celebrating a milestone, these Dragon Baby Macarons with soft pastel colors are a delightful way to add a personal touch. 

Stay tuned for more creative bakes as we continue to celebrate life’s sweetest moments, one macaron at a time!

[For Macaron Filling]
Select your macaron filling here

Directions

[For Macaron Shells] 

1. Make the meringue. In a bowl, beat the egg whites on low speed using an electric mixer until it is white and frothy (approximately 1 minute). Gradually add the sugar 1/4 at a time. When the first addition of sugar has completely dissolved (approximately 1 minute later), increase the mixer speed to medium and add until all the sugar has been incorporated. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form.

2. Sift the almond flour and icing sugar to the meringue.

3. Begin macaronage. Using a spatula, start the macaronage process by folding and lightly scraping the top of the batter. Continue until the wet and dry ingredients just start to become combined. In other words, you can't see traces/clumps of almond flour/icing sugar in the meringue. At this point, the batter should still be quite tacky.

4. Prepare different colours of batter. For the dragon macaron design, prepare 1 main batter colour - light blue for the dragon. Before preparing the light blue batter, scoop out roughly 2 tablespoons of batter for blue, 1 tablespoon for white,  abd1 teaspoon for black. You may refer to this recipe for the milk bottle macarons.

5. To each of the batter, continue the macaronage process until you get a molten-like mixture and drips down like a ribbon when lifted. Transfer to piping bags. 
6. Watch my video to see how to pipe the shells. 

7. Let the shells dry in a non humid place or an air conditioned room. You should be able to touch it gently with the tip of your finger without it sticking.

8. Bake in a preheated oven at 150°C for approximately 15 minutes.

9. Let shells cool and pipe with your desired filling.