EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT FRENCH MACARONS IS WRONG

  

Before I confess my secret, know this: I've been baking as a pastry chef for years, and I'm known in Tucson as one of the best. Flattering, really. The confession? French macarons scared the shit out of me... until last weekend. Like, panic-attack-at-just-the-thought-of-almond-meal-scared. When I first started in a kitchen and attempted macarons (with little/no research mind you) it was an utter disaster. The almond meal I ground was too coarse and the cookies flattened, fell apart, and disintegrated upon touch. It was traumatizing and I started to believe all the mumbo jumbo people like to say when discussing the impossibility of making the perfect macaron.

But of course when my good friend Liz (her blog is here!) asked for macarons on her wedding dessert table... I said yes. And then instantly cursed myself for doing so. The point of this long explanation? I'm no one special. I was as scared as everyone else to try this... but out of necessity I did. And guys. It was easy

When I was in my first few years of baking, I worked under another popular blogger you might know... our dearest Beca. We were good friends, and when she left for Chattanooga, I took over her position. I wish she was there when I made my first attempt... maybe it wouldn't have scarred me so. But this time Beca came to the rescue (like she has so many times before) because she has posted the most wonderful macaron tutorial on the web. THE. MOST. WONDERFUL.TUTORIAL. ON. THE. WEB.  All capitals for a reason.

Faced with what I was sure would be another disaster, I read and re-read her post as well as Brave Tart's (but I liked Beca's much better) and finally just. Made. Them.

They were wonderful on the first try.
Blew my mind.

They were nowhere near perfect, mind you. I got impatient with the piping and so the sizes weren't consistent or entirely flat... but I didn't care. I literally jumped around the kitchen pumping my arms in the air at my success squealing through my laryngitis. Only a crazy baker would do such a thing... and then write an entire post about it.

 So thats all I have to say. Just fucking try them.

I'm not going to say anymore about the process or recipe because Beca has done a perfect job of that. Don't hold yourself to an unrealistic standard though... they may not work the first few times. But hopefully you feel the same sense of accomplishment that I did when they DO work!



The macarons were just one part of the dessert table I made, and I was happy with the outcome. Liz and Neil's event was the most beautiful, heartfelt wedding I have ever attended and I teared up at their genuine love. Liz is my personal body image hero, and so I must share how incredible she looked that night:


I'm thrilled Liora was there to capture the moments and food like only she could.

SO. Are you still afraid of the big bad macaron? Are you going to say "fuck it" and try anyways? Have you already made them and have tips to share with the rest of us? Spill bakers... spill.

24 comments

  1. You're my hero. I may need to suck it up and give it a go this month!

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  2. I'm afraid of making French Macarons too! Someone gave me a kit as a gift and it's just sitting in the cupboard. I want to try it...I really really do! My husband has all the confidence in the world in me doing it (the big lug.) I think I can I think I can I think I can.

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    Replies
    1. You have a kit?!?!? NO EXCUSES! Just make them already! ;)

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  3. It's one of my baking dreams to one day be able to make macaroons. This gives me hope, but the tutorial?! There are so many steps that could go wrong.... 8o)

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  4. I've never tried macarons, but that dessert spread is making me hungry. I think I'll go dig up my stash of thin mints now...

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    Replies
    1. I can haz some?

      I'd prefer thin mints over macarons any day.

      Delete
  5. If you saw my blog posts, you would know I have been struggling with macaron's for weeks! I finally gave up but I think I'm ready to try her way next! I'm determined! Mine came out gorgeous, but not edible lol!

    milkyrobot.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Uhm, your macarons are fucking gorgeous. Fucking. Gorgeous.

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  6. Aww Jes I just need to say thank you again for all your hard work it was so damn beautiful ! You made me like macarons... I never dug them before our wedding! You're wonderful <3

    xoxo Lizz

    yourlifeindesign.com (pluggy :)

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  7. I've been feeling the baking itch these past few days, and you've given me just the inspiration I needed . . . I think I know what this weekend will have in store for me ;)
    Also, GOREGOUS photos!
    x Julie

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  8. HOLY MOLY!!! That whole table looks amazing!! I need an excuse to bake so I can whip up something tasty!

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    Replies
    1. Your excuse is that Jes told you to get off your ass and hop to it!

      Is that a good enough reason?
      Send me pictures<3

      Delete
  9. Where is her wedding dress from? I love it!!

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure... you can email her at her blog and ask if you'd like...

      http://www.yourlifeindesign.com/

      Delete
  10. I've been trying to make perfect macarons too! There are a few things I need to work on, like my oven heating unevenly, but they turned out decently. Yours look wonderful!

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    Replies
    1. Thats one thing I didn't mention... I used a convection oven so my timing and temp was a little different:)

      Home ovens are tricky little demons!

      Delete
  11. Beautiful! I'm currently working on a top secret project to veganize macarons (shhhhh). :)

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  12. One of my all time favorite desserts! I get some every year for my birthday. But I've never been brave enough to try making them, so I end up spending $40+ a year having them sent from New Orleans. Maybe time to stop this vicious cycle?

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  13. I have been terrified about making the big,bad macarons for many years, but I finally worked up the courage and made them last month. The recipe I used made WAY too many, so half way through I got flustered so that I messed up on the shape of them. They did not look perfect, but they tasted fucking amazing! And I will definitely be trying to bake them again soon.

    ReplyDelete

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