LSL {Foodie Friday} - French Macarons

If you remember from this post, I was up to something. That something was spending the day in the city with my fav friend, Miss CT. We had a frenchie-inspired day planned of making french macarons, enjoying some champs, catching up, and listening to some Parisian music. It really felt like we lifted ourselves out SF and into a 'boulangerie' in Paris. 


CT and I were inspired by this Glitter Guide post. It sparked our interested to try our hand at making our favorite french dessert. And, man was it worth it. But, a word of advice before you start, be patient. These babies take time to make, so relax and enjoy that champagne in your hand.

French Macarons

{adapted from Miss Martha}

Ingredients, Macarons

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup almond flour

2 large egg whites, room temperature

Pinch of cream of tartar

1/4 cup superfine sugar

                       

Fillings for Macarons

1. Chocolate Ganache: Substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder for 1/4 cup of the almond flour.

2. Raspberry: 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

                       

Directions

1. Pulse confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a food processor until combined. Sift mixture 2 times.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and whisk until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low, then add superfine sugar. Increase speed to high, and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Sift flour mixture over whites, and fold until mixture is smooth and shiny.

3.Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip, and pipe 3/4-inch rounds 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, dragging pastry tip to the side of rounds rather than forming peaks. Tap bottom of each sheet on work surface to release trapped air. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake 1 sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, until macarons are crisp and firm, about 10 minutes. After each batch, increase oven temperature to 375 degrees, heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to 325 degrees.

4. Let macarons cool on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. (If macarons stick, spray water underneath parchment on hot sheet. The steam will help release macarons.)

5. Sandwich 2 same-size macarons with 1 teaspoon filling. Serve immediately, or stack between layers of parchment, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Martha’s Note-

Piping the perfect macaroon takes a little practice. Treat it as you would a rosette, bringing the pastry tip to the side of the circle, rather than forming a peak, to finish.

Let's get started...

Lovely Miss CT starting the sifting

Me, piping it up

Up close before

There's nothing better than champs and glitter

Cooling

Raspberry jam for the filling on these..
and choc ganache for the chocolate ones

Finished and SO addictively delicious!

I have to say, and I definitely don't boast too much about my cooking skills, but I am so proud of us! They turned out even better than I could have ever expected. And more delicious than I could imagine. Miss CT, I really think we could have a French pastry business in our near future. Thank you for a wonderful day!

Now to all of you, I would love to know what your favorite French desserts are? Have any of you made macarons before? Any tips you care to share?


Bon Appetit, lovelies


xo, 
L