Macaroon(ed)!

Are there any macaroon fans in the house?
The colorful, French sandwich cookie type, just to clarify...'cause there are a million uses for the word macaroon in the baking-world, it seems.

I have gotten really hooked on these little pretties since coming to Portland, because there seem to be beautiful, disheveled piles of them seem at every bakery we go to (which is only maybe 2 regularly, but still). The rose flavored ones from  Pix started out as an experiment ("What is eating a scent like?") and now I'm in love. I think that macaroons might be kind of divisive amongst cookie-people (a few weeks ago a little girl was eying mine, and asked her dad about it. He answered "They're really not very good...they're kind of an empty taste"). And he's kind of right. But I like the airy chewiness of them. And whenever I fall really in love with a baked good, it's only a matter of time til' I try to emulate it at home.

I thought Tuesday debate watching with Ashley + Drew deserved some treats, so I made them earlier that afternoon.

I used this recipe from Epicurious for the cookie part, and improvised the filling (confectioner's sugar, butter, a bit of cream, and raspberry extract). These cookies are simple enough to make, but VERY persnickety! You have to pipe them in little perfect circles, and that is the hardest part. Well, for me it was, but I might not be the best at piping. Mine are a little amoeba-ish, as you can see above. Still, they tasted really good, and had the right consistency for a macaroon, so I was really happy for a first-time attempt.

They were a hit with the A + D contingency, and with Josiah. I also made some goat cheese tartlettes, and Ashley had some really good crispy cookies and peppery chips on the table, so we were all drowning our respective dour, uninspired moods (courtesy of the uninspiring debate) in snacks. It's a good thing we had some quality stuff to nibble on, 'cause jeez.

That debate was kind of a dud.

Comments

[PQ]

there are some really delicious beet flavored macaroons at Ladybug Organic coffee house in St Johns...

[Laura]

hi lovely,

just wondering if you could help...i'm making the macaroons and they're tasting awesome but are collapsing in the middle when i remove them from the oven..is that because i'm not letting them sit for a while before i put them in the oven??

thanks, yours are just lovely. xx

[Holden Helena]

Ohlala! I will try making these...but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts I'll end up liking the ones they make at Miette in San Francisco (in the Ferry Building). Perfect, organic, French patisserie.

[Jennifer]

i've wanted to try making those - but they look rather intimidating! i'm sure yours were delicious.

if you've acquired a taste for flowery treats yet, please feel free to stop by my "little" blog, http://flowerfood.blogspot.com. my friend judy (post-er in crime) and i have a love for such things. ;)

[Lotta]

I love the traditional coconut macaroon and always raid the bakeries around Passover. Yum.

PS - Would love to see your recipe for Mac and Cheese. And what a shame you are getting negative badgering. A pox on them!

[lauren]

gosh, they look gorgeous.
The boxes of macarons at Laduree in Paris are a feast of color for the eyes, so beautiful.

[Jenny Rebecca]

Oh we LOVE macarons!!! We had some from Pierre Herme in Paris after quite a wild goose chase day to get some. We were inspired by Paris Breakfast's blog. We ate them in the Jardin du Luxembourg and wrote notes about the flavors in our travel moleskine. :o)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/257734791/in/set-72157594333508523/
Wish there were some 'round here. :o(

[Cassandra]

Macaron fan here! Actually, I've never had a real French macaron, but I can only imagine how exquisite they are. I tried making my own batch, but like you, I had some major problems with the piping...amongst other things. I'm not too keen on baking. Anyway, yours look delish!

[kat]

i love macaroons - both the french & the coconut. dangit, now i want some.

[Jenn]

oh, yum! I have been wanting to make macaroons for ages! I am so inspired to get cracking now! I have some recipes I ripped out of Martha Stewart mag; I think maybe they are pistachio (a lovely pale green) and some pink ones (maybe raspberry?), and chocolate. Officially on the "to do" list!!

[jenny holiday]

Yes yes yes!! They are my ALLLL Time faaaaavorite cookie!! Just perfect!!

Looks as though your first attempt was brilliant!! PINK no less!!

As always....brought a smile to my day!!

Happy Fall!
xoxo Jenny

ps...I have a new blog address :)

http://everyday-is-a-holiday.blogspot.com/

[kathy]

those look so good! :) i like how they're pink!

[Babette]

Macaroons are só delicious, a French exchangestudent gave me a whole bunch once and they were gone in 5 minutes. Your pink ones look very tasty!!

[Lisa]

Yummy! Those cookies look devine! I wish I had some right now for me to nibble with my tea! You are such a creative baker :)
Cheers,
Lisa

[Cheray Natalie]

ohhh they look delicious!! I've never had them before, but always eye them off whenever I see them...
Next time i'll have to try them! :)
xxx

[lindsey clare]

i had macarons for the first time in Japan this year. it was at this fancy little macaron tea shop in Kyoto, off a little laneway. i had some fancy tea and shared three macarons with my husband but i can't quite remember the flavours. i think we had lavender, rose, and then a japanese black tea flavour. all of them delicious!

[gingerlittlebear]

these look so delicious! Then again all the edibles you create do. and i still need to make those homemade marshmallows you blogged about for my hot cocoa.

[Heather Bullard]

I love macaroons too! Thought I'd share a little tip I use to make them perfectly round.
Take parchment paper cut the size of your baking sheet. Then use a pencil and shot glass to draw your circles. Flip the parchment paper over and place on the cookie sheet. Then you will see the circles and be able to pipe inside the lines.
Hope this helps and Happy Baking!
Smiles, Heather

[Erica]

found the blog and fell in love - keep it going!

[la fille en rose]

j'adore les macarons! I fell in love with them when I lived in France and got on a kick trying to bake them, they are extremely tricky little cookies that require a good deal of time and care. I must admit I'm quite impressed with how well your first batch turned out, bravo. The favorite macs I ever made were fleur d'oranger (orange flower) flavored, hooray for flower flavored food!

[b kinch]

I've been putting rose in everything lately, since I whipped up a batch of rose petal jam mid summer and fell oh so deeply in love. The cookies look divine.

[Darren/violinTide]

Those look insanely good. Damn my sweet-tooth!

[emilykristin]

yes, when macarons are good they are very, very good, and when they are bad they are empty (or too sweet and too chewy). It's true. I cradled a box of Pierre Herme (those other commentors aren't lying!) all the way home from Paris for my husband to try. Jasmine was hands down the winner for taste and beauty. I'm impressed that you tried making them - they look lovely.

[Janet]

Oh, I think that batter needs a big cup of coconut added to it.

[Summer]

I am an obsessive macaron-lover, especially since living in Portland. I live within blocks of Pix and I find myself constantly stopping there on walks to get rose and hazelnut macarons.

That is an amazing first attempt at making them, since I have always heard that they are quite hard to get just right. You have inspired me to make my own very soon!

[romaine]

I love that plate!!!!! I'm gluten intollerant, but cookies look good too.

[elizabeth]

thanks emily! a few weeks ago someone gave me a box of delightful little pink treats just like these, but i had no idea what they were. so thank you for identifying the mystery treat, and sharing a recipe to boot!

your macaroons look absolutely delicious! :)

[jennzinn]

Great job! I'm impressed! They look beautiful and delicious. A few times a year I treat myself to some macaroons from Payard or Fauchon, both near my office in NYC. They charge about $2 per small cookie and close to $3 for a larger one, so they're definitely an infrequent treat!

[Jenny]

Mmmmm, those look tasty, Emily. Save me some for when I see you next!

[Courtney Quiet City]

I have never had macaroons but those do look rather yummy. For this season, I lean towards pumpkins and apples for All Things Baked. I want to make some apple bread soon.

[Rachel D.]

YUM. You're so talented, lady! Those cookies look adorable and delicious.

[Dawn Perry]

Emily,
Those look so delicous! But, I have to admit that I really love those pretty little plates. My favorite dessert right now is Hershey's Cocoa cupcakes, they are soooooo rich and yummy. The recipe is on the back of the can. Happy weekend,
Dawn

[cariad]

well here was me about to tell you about pierre herme but someone beat me to it! glad to know there are others macaroon obsessed as i am, when i lived in Paris, i spent so much money there i felt i should of got a discount card! www.pierreherme.com have a look to make you drool, chocolate and passion fruit were my favourite...yours look very nice too x

[heidi]

Yours came out so great!!! I tried to make some around Easter and they so sucked! I couldn't find whatever my recipe called for and tried to use marizapan (almond paste) which I think was my downfall. Anyhow you make me want to try them again thanks for the recipe link, yours like just amazing!

[rubyellen]

I don't think i have ever tried macaroons, so maybe i will give this a try. I love that first picture, it really makes me smile.

[lavon]

Looks like something that i will have to try.

Anytime I hear the name macaroons they were chewy cookies with shredded coconuts. I hate shredded coconuts.

The one you made have no coconuts at all. So I must have a little pink macaroon!

[Rachel]

I'm going to have to try this. Your orange scone recipe was FABULOUS!

[Linz]

Emily-
I LOVE macaroons!!! The first time I had them was in Paris @ Laduree http://www.laduree.fr/ I fell in love with that store. Mmm...my favs are Violette and Rose. They also serve Rose The'(tea) that is so good! I had some in Las Vegas this past week too that were mini! Very Cute! I would never attempt to make these at home! Very good job though!
Peace, Love, and Cupcakes (or in this case macaroons)!
Linz

[Erin]

Emily, I was just in Paris where I sampled many a macaron and fell in love. The photos on my blog are worth checking out - especially the one of the Pierre Hermé macaron that is the size of my hand. The filling was pistachio and cherry.

[Summer]

I haven't tried them before, but now I'll have to! I like the homemade look, personally! :) And, they are so cute in pink! I'll be up in Portland soon and I'll have to give them a try...thank you for the Pix tip. :)

[kalen]

please come be my personal baker! how cute :) i have never actually had a macaroon - it's true!

and yes, that debate was awful in a million ways. glad other people realized that.

[Cele]

Wow those look fantastic. So pink, light and pretty.

[jenni]

those look amazing. something about little pink cookies always makes me think of alice in wonderland...and amen to the debate being a dud...whats with these people, its supposed to be one of the most inspiring elections of our time and i could barely stay awake through the debate

[Erin]

Hey "Hazy" - you said you were allergic to eggs. There are oodles of egg substitutions (my brother's girlfriend is vegan, so when we bake for them we use substitutions). I can never remember what to use, so I just google it and get a ton of answers.

Emily,
If ever you are in Salt Lake City, UT, go to Les Madeleines. It is a little French bakery that I absolutely adore! The owner makes madeleines in various flavors (rose being one of them) and tons of other super delicious goodies. The raspberry charlottes, kouing aman and mini cupcakes (all sorts of flavors) are among my favorites. I have yet to try their macaroons, but I'm sure they are just as delicious as everything else I've tried there. They have a website (www.les-madeleines.com).

[puglyfeet]

Thanks. I blogged about Pierre Hermes macarons the other day. Just what I've been looking for.

[Jenifer Higgins]

Those look good! To make it easier to pipe the batter, you can trace circles on the back of parchment paper, use it to line your cookie sheets, and then just fill the circles in. You're more likely to end up with a perfect cookie that way.

[Dave]

Yeah, I think we're going to have to try these soon too - if you have any tips on things you would have specifically done different with yours, that'd be lovely :) It's just hard to have the motivation to make them when you can get such perfect ones at Pix :)

The debate was a bit of a dud, wasn't it? Blah, let's get the election over already, I'm sick of all the posturing.

[Nat]

The look so pretty! I've always wanted to try them and make my own. I love the plate that the single macaroon is on in the first picture!

[Hazy]

Wow, those look delicious. I can only look at such beauties as I am sure they have egg in them and I am allergic to egg. It really cuts down my baking abilities.

[Stephanie]

Oo la la! J'adore Macaroons! I fell in love with these little treasures while in Paris a few years ago. Ladaree's is the place to go where you see their beautiful rainbow of pastel treats. I've always wanted to try to make them, but I have been happy to find them in San Francisco (Boulange) & Boston (Burdick's). You give me hope that I might be able make some myself:)