It's easy to understand why french macarons have become our nation's first designer cookie, much like a Louis Vuitton bag they've arrived from France and are here to stay, at least if I have anything to say about it! They are famous for their "feet" and for performing a disappearing act right underneath your "nose". So move over chocolate chip cookies, don't worry- you can never be replaced, and say ravie de faire votre connaissance to our elegant cookie friends from France. Please indulge me as I give a big thank you to Gina (SPCookieQueen) for hosting a group of us eager to learn how to make french macarons. She gave us a hands on, up close and personal demonstration of the Italian meringue method for making french macarons that originally came from Debbie at Squirrel Bakes, who brought home the recipe after taking a macaron baking class at La Cuisine in Paris. I made a few changes to the original recipe which was to add peppermint flavor to the ganache because I have this thing for chocolate mint anything. I also used Trader Joe's Just Almond Meal for the ground almonds or almond flour for this batch which give the macarons flecks of almond skins. My next batch will have the finely ground almond meal from blanched whole almonds from Bob's Red Mill which cost about four times more than the almond meal from Trader Joe's(had to work up to that!) I've always been highly skilled at consuming french macarons but never gave much thought to making them at home until recently as I've noticed so many people making them quite successfully. I'm very encouraged by my first attempt at french macarons and guess what they're still amazingly good even if they're not perfect! With a little more practice, I'm thinking that these would be wonderful to make for gifts around the holidays. "In the cookies of life, friends are the macarons"
I'm thinking about pink and green colors for my next batch of french macarons!
Please follow the above links to the recipe and more info on making french macarons.
Oh my! Chocolate and mint macarons. how divine! They turned out picture perfect.
ReplyDeleteIf you’d like, I wanted to invite you to share your best recipes over at my new party, Recipe Sharing Monday at Jam Hands. I’m going to be featuring my favorite submissions during the week and I’d love it if you’d join in the fun. :O)
Patty, Your macarons came out so gorgeous! I'm so jealous! I have been gearing up to make them for awhile...It's my next challenge!
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely! I made macarons with my mother last winter, but they weren't perfect. We're planning on trying again some time. Your flavour choices sound great. Hope you post your pink and green ones!
ReplyDeletePatty - these look divine! You certainly were a good student at Gina's and learned all of the essentials. I have yet to make some - will have to soon. Hope you are having a good week!
ReplyDeleteI'll be over tomorrow! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe ganache center is thick and so appealing! I'm surprised to see La Cuisine in Paris recommending the Italian meringue method, which involves water. Some macaron purists may not like it. But at least it gives a nice, smooth shell.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to make these, but always afraid of baking. Beautifully executed!
ReplyDeleteomg.those look so beautiful...too beautiful to eat!
ReplyDeleteWOW! You've made my favorite color green and mint is also my favorite flavor. Very impressive :)
ReplyDeletePatty-Your macarons are so gorgeous...I would be afraid to eat them. Much too pretty for consumption! How did you ever find the perfect platter to compliment the color?
ReplyDeleteI would literally have to take step-by-step actual lessons to learn how to make macarons...which I have never made, and never tasted one!
I think I will just reach in through the screen and grab your macarons, that's how amazing and tempting they look! Love the gorgeous flower, too:D
xoxo
So glad you had such great success with them. I love the mint color, like how you added mint more. My daughter is a huge fan of mint, I will have to make her some with mint. Did you use extract or steep some of your wonderful mint? I finally replenished my supplies so I can make more, they are addicting aren't they. Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDelete-GIna-
These are absolutely perfect, Patty! And plated beautifully, too! I can't believe this was your first attempt - mine didn't go so well! I was really surprised how much muscle it takes to stir all the ingredients together & push the batter through the pastry bag! Anyway, these look bakery-worthy! And - I love your hydrangea!
ReplyDeleteI saw you mentioned these on Twitter. They look even better than I imagined before I followed the link...so perfectly colorful and dainty. And I'm certain, delicious.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see people afraid to eat your macarons because they are too pretty....not me, I'll dive right in and fight all of you for 'em! haha! To tell the truth, I've never actually HAD a proper macaron...probably cuz where I am from, it's all about the cannoli. You did well, Patty, these are real purdy! (I miss Trader Joes!)
ReplyDeletePatty, tres bien réussi, beautiful colors Jean-Michel
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Gawd! I go gaga over macarons. Let's just say it was love at first bite for me and the love just keeps growing with every bite. I've yet to meet a macaron I haven't loved. Your chocolate mint macarons sound divine. Those look super duper for being your first time making them. I dare not even think about attempting to make these as I've heard of so many failed attempts. You're amazing, Patty! And I love that --> "In the cookies of life, friends are the macarons". Pink and green sound like such a fun combination of flavours. Can't wait to see what flavour you conjur up. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteOh...such gorgeous macarons! Why don't you send some here? Loved the way you bake. Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteYour macs are so pretty, Patty! And chocolate and mint is definitely one of my favorite combos...you're right, these would really be a lovely holiday gift!
ReplyDeleteI admired these hugely while recently in Paris. And I must say, yours look as perfect as the ones I saw in the top patisseries - nice work!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I love the story, color of these macarons, and your next batch color, Patty!! I agree that these are like LVs that all the women and some men need to have experienced it once or twice or more.
ReplyDeleteBtw, your hydrangea is beautiful! Mine is kinda small.
These are absolutely gorgeous and I love the flavor. I can't believe this was your first try. Amazing!
ReplyDeletepicture perfect, like ali said..they came out wonderful!! mint and chocolate, flavor heaven.love the plating pics!
ReplyDeletemint and chcocolate is a winning combination for me, so i'm loving the sound of this. love thatpretty light pastel green too! lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteOoh, impressive!
ReplyDeleteStunning - and I love the colors. They look absolutely delicious. Your photos are a feast for the eyes!
ReplyDeleteOh wow Patty, these are just gorgeous and love that color :) Excellent job!
ReplyDeleteThese look seriously perfect!
ReplyDeletePatty, for your first attempt at macarons, these sure do look good! I had 8 (yes, EIGHT!) attempts before any feet even developed :-(. Maybe I should get Gina over here and give me some tips. Love the colors and flavors, btw!
ReplyDeleteWow Patty!!! They are perfect !!! Do you know I never had chocolate mint macarons?? Yes, I admit I am also an "After Eight" girl... ;D
ReplyDeleteChocolate and mint is the best flavor combo and in macaroons - just perfect!
ReplyDeleteWow, those look perfect to me - wish I could taste one to make sure ;) The mint cookie is such a beautiful color and the rich chocolate ganache center, oh my! I wish I lived closer so I could do some of the fun things you NorCal ladies have been doing!
ReplyDeleteYou Macarons look perfect. I heard about the get together from Gina and it sounds like you guys had a great time. I really need to give Macarons a try since I do love them.
ReplyDeleteThose macarons are GORGEOUS. I love eating macarons, but I've always been too intimidated to make them myself. Chocolate + mint = love.
ReplyDeleteThese macarons look amazing! gloria
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! I loved the look of your blueberry crumble as well.
ReplyDeleteThey came out perfectly!!! Look at their little feet - gosh, I'm dying over here without an oven. Can't wait to get started on those macarons.
ReplyDelete