Step 1: Prepare the Macaron Shells First, sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps. Whisk the egg whites until foamy, then add granulated sugar gradually until you get stiff peaks. Gently fold in the dry mix and optional egg white powder to form a smooth batter.

Step 2: Make the Cranberry Sauce Cook the cranberries with granulated sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. Let it cool completely before using as a filling.

Step 3: Whip Up the Orange Buttercream Beat the softened butter until creamy, then mix in sifted confectioners’ sugar, orange zest, and optional extract. Add milk or juice as needed for the right consistency.

4 Pipe the macaron batter onto a lined baking sheet.

5 Let it rest until a skin forms.

6 Bake and cool before assembling with sauce and buttercream.