DIY Potted Cactus Macarons: A Sweet and Easy Tutorial
Looking for a unique and delightful treat that’s sure to impress? Skip the traditional desserts and dive into this fun and creative DIY project: potted cactus macarons! This easy tutorial will guide you through creating these adorable and edible succulents, perfect for parties, gifts, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.


This delightful DIY project was inspired by my previous DIY Christmas cactus tree, and I’m excited to finally share it with you. These potted cactus macarons are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. They’re so cute that I was so excited when I figured out how to make them stand up all by themselves, and I may or may not have shown everyone in the building…
The best part? These macarons are as sweet as they are charming, and they’re one of the few cacti you can actually encourage kids (and adults!) to take a bite out of. Forget about pricks and needles – with these edible cacti, you’ll only get the pleasure of enjoying their sugary goodness and the smiles they bring.

Materials and Tools Needed to Make DIY Potted Cactus Macarons
Before we get started, gather all the necessary materials and tools. This will ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Light green and dark green edible markers
- Cactus-shaped macarons (mine are from Tout Suite, but for tips on piping your own macaron shapes, I recommend this book!)
- Mini clay planters
- Mini dowel rods
- Brown sugar
- Gold spray paint (optional for the pots)
- Edible flowers (from Whole Foods, optional as a garnish)

How to Make DIY Potted Cactus Macarons
Now that you have all your materials, let’s get to the fun part! Follow these simple steps to create your own adorable potted cactus macarons:
Step 1 – Preparing the Planters: If you’re feeling fancy, start by spray painting the mini clay planters gold. This adds a touch of elegance and makes them even more visually appealing. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding.

Once the planters are completely dry, fill them with brown sugar. Pack the sugar down tightly to create a stable base for the macarons. Next, insert one of the mini dowel rods into the middle of each planter. These rods will act as supports, holding the macarons upright and giving the illusion that they are “planted.”

Step 2 – Adding Dimension with Edible Markers: Take your cactus-shaped macarons and use the light green edible marker to outline the edges. Gradually fade the color inward with your finger to create dimension and a more realistic cactus appearance.

Next, use the dark green edible marker to add depth and definition to a few focal areas. This will help pronounce the shapes and make the macarons look even more like real cacti. Remember to blend the colors to avoid harsh lines.



Step 3 – Final Touches and Assembly: Add small dots or strokes of both the light and dark green edible markers to create the illusion of spines. For an extra touch of realism, you can even add an edible flower to the top of each macaron to mimic cactus blooms. Finally, carefully stick the macarons onto the dowel rods in each planter.



And that’s it! Your adorable DIY potted cactus macarons are complete. Aren’t they perfect for summer parties, unique gifts, or just adding a touch of whimsy to your kitchen? Plus, you can even mimic our Christmas cactus when the holidays come around!
You can find even more edible macaron projects like DIY flamingos, flowers, beaches, and even fruits. We get a little overly creative around here, apparently…
More DIY Projects and Ideas
Looking for more fun and creative DIY projects? Check out these other tutorials:
- DIY Paper Flower Cake Topper
- DIY Fresh Flower Cake Topper
- DIY Footed Serving Bowls
- DIY Footed Display Bowls
DIY Potted Cactus Macarons Recipe

Summary
Learn how to make your very own adorable cactus macaron. These sweet treats are great for any occasion!
Details
- Active Time: 30 mins
- Drying time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Course: DIY
- Category: Desserts
- Cost: $25
- Keywords: diy potted cactus macarons
Equipment
- Light green and dark green edible markers
Materials
- Cactus-shaped macarons (mine are from Tout Suite, but for tips on piping your own macaron shapes, I recommend this book!)
- Mini clay planters
- Mini dowel rods
- Brown sugar
- Gold spray paint (optional for the pots)
- Edible flowers (optional as a garnish)
Instructions
- If you want to spray paint the planters gold, go ahead and do that first so they have plenty of time to dry. Once they’re completely dry, fill them with brown sugar (packing them down tightly) and insert one of the mini dowel rods into the middle of each planter, these will hold the macarons upright to appear “planted”.
- Once you’ve created each of the cactus-shaped macarons, use the light green edible marker to go around the edges, little by little, and fade the color inward with your finger to create dimension.
- Next, to a few focal areas with the dark green edible marker to pronounce the shapes a bit more, and blend.
- Lastly, add dots or small strokes of both colors to look like the spines, and you can even add an edible flower to the top to look like the blooms! Stick the macarons onto the dowel rod in each planter, and you’re all set!
Don’t forget to share your DIY potted cactus macarons with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more interior design inspiration? You can find all of our home decor tutorials and ideas right here!
Fun DIY’s Using Macarons
Homemade Macaron Ice Cream Recipe
Skinny Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
DIY Fruit Macarons: How To Color On Macarons
DIY Edible Gold Macarons
DIY Floral Macarons
DIY Bunny Ear Macarons