A while ago I accepted the challenge to make the most beautiful cookies, real French macaroons. I have never actually tasted or seen a real macaron, but I have looked at some beautiful ones from some fabulous bakers. I've followed their tweets, and blogs and been amazed at their results and unfortunately not taken the time to make my own until this weekend. . .
I'm not sure if I should take the stance of "3 strikes and you're out", or "try, try again" but after my last three experiences making them my level of respect for all the bakers who have succeeded has risen to enormous proprotions. There is something very tricky about making these cute little cookies.
I have learned:
1. If you leave the egg whites out overnight, make sure the temperature is actually warmer on the counter than in the fridge (I live in Salt Lake and it's winter presently- when I got up to make my Mac's my egg whites were colder than if I had left them in the fridge). I warmed the next batches of egg whites in warm water just before I used them.
2. Blanch your almonds the night before so they dry out completely before you blitz them into powder. Do plenty of extra almonds for repeated batches.
3. Enjoy the mistakes. The first batch I made were complelely flat discs. Most of them got eaten. I made the second batch into an almond brownie. When I could see that the consistancy wasn't going to work I greased and floured little tart pans, and made brownies. They were actually not bad. They got eaten before I could take a picture.
4. Don't tell everyone that you didn't get your feet. My husband thought that the macaroons looked and tasted great (and he's even had the real deal). He ate them with delight, not knowing they were missing their feet.
So, I'm done with my macaroon experience for 2009, and yes it did give me an ATTACK . . . but I'll be back in 2210. My mac's were made from Barbara's recipe, Chocolate Macaroon's from Vino Luci Style and my filling was a delicious Italian Vanilla Butter Cream.
Please visit some of my favorite bloggers so see what a real macaroon looks like! BarbaraBakes , foodfinery, From Donuts To Delirium: My Life As A Housewife, Vino Luci Style, Passionate About Baking , Life's A Feast, and go here to visit the site of all the bloggers who joined the challenge.
you are too hard on yourself (we all are... they are tricky!!)! they look tasty and even a little festive! MacTweets was fun and we will conquer this!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found time to join us in a mac attack! The fact that your husband thought that the macarons looked and tasted great is probably the most important part! They look tasty to me too!
ReplyDeleteThey look perfect! I have yet to take the Macaron challenge. Maybe I should come learn from you first :)
ReplyDeleteTiff, Barbara and Becky- What dear friends you are! I am glad to have made these and we should get together and maybe we could get a lesson from Barbara and Tiff! That would be grand!
ReplyDeleteI bet these are all gone by now! too bad for me :) I am so proud of you for trying these!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you joined us and our Mactweets motto is "Try try again and again until they are perfect, if not at least you'll have fun baking with us!". Your macs look pretty darn tasty whether they look the part or not! In fact, I'd really love to try one of those babies! And I love your creativeness in using the other batches!
ReplyDeleteOh you are too good. I love the way you played along, and am learning from your lessons. These are certainly very fiddly creatures & I think you did a great job, feet or not. Look like darned tasty bites! GOOD FOR YOU!! Thank you for joining us at MacTweets!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job. THis was WAY better than my 3rd attempt. Keep at it, and thank you so much for mentioning my blog.
ReplyDelete*kisses* HH
p.s. from what i've heard, the feet issue might mean you need to raise the temp of your oven
Italian cream filling? Oh how divine! These look so scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteMacaroons seem like a super tough dessert. I haven't quite mustered up the courage to brave them yet. Maybe you and I should band together. In 2210. There may be strength in numbers.
ReplyDeleteThese look good though. Really good. Impressively so.
they look great and your right they are tricky I made my first ones recently edible but not so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteMacaroons are a beast to master! I sure haven't gotten there! Love the "what you've learned" part -- very helpful for those who are not so talented in the baking department!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to try making macaroons for quite some time. Had I known about the challenge I may have joined in. Thanks for the tips for when I do take the plunge!
ReplyDeleteThose look like half whoopie pie and half macaroon and I think you just invented the next cookie craze!
ReplyDeleteCristie,
ReplyDeleteI awarded you the Lemonade Stand Blog Award on my blog. Go check it out! xoxo
They look super tasty! And well done for trying so many times. Great job.
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteThey call them here "Almond bites", same as your macarons with cream & jam filling and guess what they are very expensive and they taste soooo good! Feet or no feet darling , it doesn't matter as long as they taste delicious.
You're right about the egg white . I leave mine out overnight in the microwave or the oven lol . Great filling and your macarons look gorgeous! I love the colour.
Have a great day!
Mamatkamal
Great job on the MacAttack, they look beautiful and delicious! Have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDelete