Because I am short on time this holiday season, I decided to invite my Mactweets friends to the International Incident Colour Party. It got a little messy, as parties at this time often do, so I hope we aren’t kicked out of either 😉
For the IIP this month, we were asked to play with colour. For Mactweets, we were asked to create a savoury-sweet macaron. Being the rebel that I am, I went with a sweet macaron that celebrates the colours of Christmas (even though I don’t really celebrate it)
I mean, when you find colours with names like this, you pretty much can’t go past them…
Despite the weather turning all humid on me the day I was making the macs, the batter looked ok. And – errr – colourful. (and a bit gory!)
A peek in the oven revealed kinda-sorta feet…
But on taking them out, they deflated and got this weird “wet” look on top, though they were baked through.
After a couple of days drying out (the weather of course turned dry and cold the following day), I made a peppermint marshmallow filling, using the same recipe I used for last month’s hot chocolate and marshmallow macarons. But the addition of the peppermint oil seemed to mess with the consistency and it never kind of set. Even in the fridge. That’s when things started to get messy. And drippy…
Let’s just say they were “tired and emotional” shall we? Because people often get tired and emotional at Christmas gatherings, right. I mean, these green ones look positively messed up. Too much champagne on Christmas morning, perhaps?
So sorry, they aren’t the prettiest. And they didn’t even taste that good. The mint essence I used was pure so VERY strong. 🙁 As one sometimes needs their drinks over the holidays.
But hey, macs came to the party. And by the looks of things, they had a great time. Berocca or Guronsan all round for these dudes and let’s hope that next month they will be more cooperative. Otherwise, no more parties for them!
Check out what everyone else brought to this month’s IIP by clicking on the links below:
Macarons are always welcome at a party!
I am glad you think so!
haha, they look great in the photograph. You hid the tired-ness quite well. I had no idea humidity could have such an effect on macarons. How humid was it? Noticeably so, or is this a very technical thing?
Eggless macarons are my big dream. I’m sure they’re possible but I’m sort of dragging out the discovery process to keep me motivated long enough to thoroughly learn how to cook =)
It was VERY humid – pouring rain and fairly warm. Macs like dry, cool temps…
So Christmassy! The red ones in particular are vibrant and gorgeous.
Well, these bright macarons certainly fit the Color theme! Haha, and they look so slosh-happy too, sitting atop each other like that. They’re definitely the life and soul of any party!
Haha – “slosh happy” – LOVE IT!
How festive!! I love these. Happy holidays.
I’m not big at Xmas celebrations but I think these festive macarons are so so so cute. I have decided to tackle macarons for the first time over the holidays. I hope they come out even just 1 tenth as pretty as these. Wish me good luck!
Oh good luck. You will be hooked! Join us over in Mactweets!
They look fab Mardi. I think you are very hard on yourself. They are pretty, not messy at all…and I think they look very festive indeed. Thank you for bringing the red, green & white to MacTweets! Here’s to the holiday spirit! Cheers!
Cheers Deeba! I am glad the colour part turned out well!
Bummer that they didn’t taste great because they certainly are pretty! You nailed the colour theme!
Why thanks so much! I *am* a perfectionist!
hahaa… never too much good champagne Mardi! You definitely nailed the christmas look and spirit 😉
No kicking you out!
Aw thanks Penny – champagne for everyone!
Very Chistmasy! I love the vibrant colours of your macarons. Beautiful
Well at least I got the “colour” part right!
Gorgeous! I want to eat ’em up! And the photos are beautiful!
Haha, great analogies Mardi 😀
I think I’ve got some Berocca kicking around in my medicine cabinet, I’ll sort them out. Will do them a nice big fry up brekky too. We’ll be right as rain in no time 🙂
P.S. Super festive photos, yay
Yes they were DEFINITELY in need of a fry up 😉
Yes, I do believe those green ones are having what call an “Elizabeth Taylor morning.” Or maybe a Joan Crawford morning? Either way, the colors are pure crack, I love them – the red (or poinsettia I should say) is just off the hook.
Thanks Trix – I love your take on them too 😉
They look so visually stunning.. doesn’t matter if they didn’t ”really” turn out! They look beautiful! Merry Xmas 🙂
Well one day I will make macs that are visually stunning and that turn out too!
Very festive and colorful.You are to hard on yourself for the macs, they look WAY better then any of my attempts.
Cheers Evelyne!
They are truly festive (the red is particularly stunning) and I bet that they tasted just fine too. Your photographs are beautiful and creative!
What they lack in finesse, they make up for in colour!
As someone who has never attempted a Macaron, I think they look great very festive and colorful… Personally, I am not a big fan of mint… unless it is in a mojito. Maybe it is just the artificial mint flavor that puts me off. I will use your collection of Mac posts as an inspiration as I try them for the first time… as soon as I can find some almond flour, I tried grinding some blanched almonds, but it was just gritty, so it became pesto. Happy Holidays!
I look forward to seeing your macs sometime soon Casey!
Nothing wrong with your macs raiding your liquor cabinet for a holiday drink, right? 😉 You still managed to take some beautiful vibrant photos, and could sell some interesting/funny holiday cards with them (especially if you had the macs “talking”!)
Oh I LOVE the gift card idea! Next year…
I feel like I am missing something. I had never heard of macarons before seeing them all over Foodbuzz this year. I still can’t quite figure why they seem to be so popular and written up as much as they do. Mardi, could you help educate me?
As always they look fantastic, especially decked out in the rich colors of Christmas.
Jason
It’s mostly just their unpredictability and contrary nature that make them so addictive. Plus, they taste great!
I’m one of the few in the world that doesn’t like macarons but even I am tempted by these photos!
Wow – thanks! Am pleased a non mac lover might be tempted by these!
They look so festive and really fit into the IIP colour party. I’ve never made Macarons before, looks like I’ll have some studying to do on your blog. Hope you are having a great trip 🙂
Yes they are worthy of some studying and LOTS of practice!
Yeah, it’s a bit dangerous working with natural essence oils, since they are super concentrated, I think they should add an oil to extract conversion table to the bottle. 🙂 Nice try with macs Mardi, on the bright side at least they were color coordinated!
Well as you can imagine I am definitely going to try again!
The colors are incredible. So festive!
You gotta share the good and the ‘bad’. Macs are not easy! We’ve had major failures, so every time somebody else has good ones, it’s a time to give them kudos. Enjoy the rest of the holiday celebrations!
Macs are NOT easy and I am happy to share the bad as well so people reading know that they are not as easy as some people make them look!
Mardi: The colors on those festive macs are gorgeous. What a beautiful shade of red. I’m sorry they didn’t turn out as planned…that’s what is so fun about macarons…they’re such a challenge. I need to start working on macs again.
Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! 😉
Yes they are definitely very unpredictable, which is why they frustrate me so – an A type Taurus does not do well with unpredictable things. However I am determined to keep going with them!
wow, macaroons always look like such a momentum effort! Well done!
They are a monumental effort indeed!
Aww, they’re definitely festive and cute! So what, if you had a few “drunk” macs! They look darn good to me!
I guess it’s ok for this time of year, right?
Fantastic photo styling, Mardi! Your post really puts me in the Christmas mood. Congrats on your very well-deserved Foodbuzz Top-9!!! And, of course…Merry Christmas! ~ Eat with joy to the world! ~ Cleo
Thanks – at least I could salvage the failed macs with some “fun” photos… 🙂
Hi Mardi – They look fabulous. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
LL
P.S. Congrats on Top 9!
I saw your post before I tried making my own macarons. Mine deflated, too, but I think it was because I took them out too early. When I put them back in I was able to salvage half. It’s the thought that counts, right? 🙂
I love your colours, though!
See I have been following the same recipe including timing for macs for the best part of a year now and so the only think I can blame is humidity. It was POURING and damp that day 🙁
Lovely colors!!
I love the how to pictures and the wonderful “tired and emotional” Macarons! How fun, Congrats on becoming one of the top 9!
Tired and emotional just seemed to suit the season!
Awesome story!! I love reading blogs with a sense of humour, and yes we all get “tired and emotional” this time of year. Particularly with champagne and too much sugar. Congratulations on being in the top 9!!
Champagne and sugar will do it every time!! 😉
Macarons are a challenge to make. But you are to be commended for your efforts. Your photography skills worked magic on your “partied-out” macs. The colors are beautifully vibrant!
Haha I love it – “partied out” macs!
Great job Mardi! I just love the colors of these macs and the filling looks amazing. Plus, nice to be in Top 9 with you today 😉
The filling would have been better if is would have set 🙁 Next time… Nice to be in Top 9 with you as well!
I love the red macarons!! Great job. Congrats on foodbuzz top 9!!
Thanks, they’re quite striking, huh?
Christmas Macarons, awesome! It’s been raining here non-stop and I haven’t even tried for a week!
Ah how the weather plays havoc with our mac making plans!
I told you on twitter how fun and festive these were, pretty or not! Who needs pretty when you have fabulously festive! Perfect colors! Have a very very Merry Christmas, dear!
Aw thanks Jamie you are TOO kind! Happy Holidays to you too! xoxo
They look festive and adorable, especially the red ones. I know I wouldn’t be able to resist! 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! xo
Thanks! Next time I hope they taste as good as they look!
Lovely! Very fun festive colors. And, even if they were a bit “tired and emotional” your macs look much, much better than anything I would attempt.
Oh Jen I totally don’t believe you! You teach me cookies and I will teach you macs!
Macaroons? The one thing I missed this holiday season. I dont know if I can make them as well as you can, but I will sure try. Thanks and happy holidays.
Yes they are very festive!
perfect colors for this time of year!