Liz Makes Macarons (Which Are NOT the Same as Macaroons)
Macarons (not to be confused with the Macaroon) are a French pastry made from egg whites, almond powder, icing and sugar.
They are also incredibly, incredibly delicious.
Liz has been wanting to make these for a while now, and has a plan to make them for the wedding. This weekend, she got a ton of supplies (including a fairly fancy-shmancy electric scale and oven gauge for precise weight and baking times).
Here’s another shot of some overflows. Each of these circles will end up rising just a bit in the oven, and form one of the two “caps” that make up a macaron.
Closeup of one of the macarons, post-oven. I believe that the area just underneath the cap (the area that has pockets of air) is referred to as the “feet.” I might be getting this wrong – Liz knows all this stuff and I’m just trying to do it from memory.
Another shot of all the tops.
These are from the next day. We were visiting Liz’s folks in Frankfort, and brought them with to share.
Note that the macarons are now put together, with a thin layer of icing and/or ganache between each cap. Liz made her own ganache, but it ended up being a bit more liquid that she liked. So she also made some of the macarons with butter cream.
I’m happy to report that both kinds were fantastic.
Me, apparently getting way into the macro shots. On top are a sprinkle of pistachios.
This is taken from a few moments ago. Tonight, Liz made another batch (and did it in like half the time, compared to the first batch). These are hazelnut macarons, with a different filling inside.
Yesterday, on our way over to Justin’s for brunch, we stopped at a nearby bakery called Vanille. We picked up a lot of macarons to share (and to try out). Up until yesterday, Liz hadn’t even ever had a macaron!
As to the bakery’s version – the outside was firm, but not crispy. Saying the exterior has a “skin” is too much, but it’s got a small bit of firmness to it. Underneath that though, the interior is very moist and almost cake-like. Not quite that soft, but very close. And of course, the interior also has icing/ganache.
The many textures that happen as you bite into a good macaron are a great combination. It’s got this hard-soft-softer kind of a thing happening, and there are a wide variety of flavors out there. While the first batch that Liz made were not quite bakery grade (they were a little crunchy and flaky on the outside), they were still great tasting.
I have to say though, that the second batch (the hazelnut) is stellar. They tasted much closer to the bakery version we had, and it’s taken no small amount of willpower to only eat two or three.
To date, I think this has been the most complicated/precise baking project Liz has undertaken. There’s a lot of fluctuation in terms of measurements and oven temperature, and I know that the smallest differences in baking temp/time can greatly influence how things come out. But believe you me – if the macarons are tasting THIS good on Liz’s second attempt… I can’t wait for the third and fourth.
Related:
Liz’s First Fondant Cake
Liz’s Second Fondant Cake: Father’s Day in Frankfort
Liz’s Third Fondant Cake: Jake’s Birthday
Liz’s Fourth Fondant Cake: Floral Design
Gifts for Baby Audrey: Baby Blanket, Fondant Cake and Cupcakes
Consider yourself lucky, Felix! This is basically what I’m capable of and these came from a Pillsbury roll! And Brian was the one who put them in the oven before leaving for work. All I had to do was take them out….
Barb (March 23, 2009 at 8:00 am)share?
ben (March 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm)Sorry, Ben – I brought in three, and held a Rock, Paper, Scissor contest at our weekly Design Team meeting.After a few elimination rounds, Ben Lister ended up winning the bunch.It was hard to give those away. It really was.
avoision (March 23, 2009 at 1:31 pm)DEEEEEEE-licious, Liz! They are lovely to look at too. I stumbled across some nice shots of macarons on Flickr months ago, but up until today I had never tasted one!
Allison (March 24, 2009 at 2:49 pm)Barb – I’m totally the same way.
avoision (March 25, 2009 at 9:31 am)Oh my gosh! I love seeing what Liz is making. We seem to share a brain when it comes to cooking. This recipe:http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/photo/Raspberry-Chocolate-French-Macaroons-236668has been on my to do list for a while. Once I’m done with my job (1 more week!), and I am once again unemployed and back to finding cool projects to do, I’m totally taking on macarons!! Liz is an inspiration.
Marty J. (April 24, 2009 at 9:52 pm)These are gorgeous. I have to play with pistachios and hazelnut next. Thanks for sharing.
Annapet (October 6, 2010 at 8:11 pm)Is it possible to get the recipe. Do you bake with Italian meringue method that you shoul duse water? They look perfect. Thanks to share
Anonymous (February 8, 2011 at 8:52 am)