Follow these steps to create your delightful Christmas Character Macarons:

1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. You can use a template for the macaron shapes if desired.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour. This ensures a smooth texture for your macarons.
3. Whip Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
4. Add Color: If desired, add food coloring to the whipped egg whites until you achieve the desired shade.
5. Combine Mixtures: Fold the sifted dry ingredients into the whipped egg whites. Be gentle to maintain the airiness of the mixture.
6. Pipe Macarons: Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each one.
7. Rest the Shells: Allow the piped macarons to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. This helps form a skin on the surface.
8. Preheat Oven: While the macarons rest, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
9. Bake: Bake the macarons for 15-20 minutes, or until they have risen and developed a glossy shell.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet before removing.
11. Prepare Filling: In a bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth. Add your chosen flavoring extract.
12. Assemble Macarons: Pair the macaron shells by size. Pipe a small amount of filling onto the flat side of one shell and sandwich it with another shell.
13. Decorate: Use edible markers or icing to create character designs on the macarons. Add sprinkles for extra festivity if desired.