This month’s MacTweets theme was simply that of celebration. There is so much to celebrate in April that it was left open to interpretation. Now of course, when I think “celebration”, I think “champagne” and it got me Googling as to how on earth I could make a champagne macaron. At this point in my macaron baking career, it seemed a little out of my reach but this post on The Cupcake Project made me wonder whether a mimosa mac might be more my speed – blood orange shell with champagne ganache… Hmmmm. Reading that post, I was dubious of the “champagne flavouring” since it apparently smells like bubblegum. I asked Mr Wine Master and he told me that it would be pushing it (a lot) to think bubble gum when you taste champagne. Oh well, I went ahead and ordered it anyway since even I can tell that to use real champagne would require way too much of it to make it taste like champagne, thus rendering any ganache way too runny…
Completely unbelieveably, this time making macs was nearly too easy. ONE try. I wasn’t even planning for them to work out – it was SUCH a fluke! Unlike last time… before I knew it, I had macs with feet and “champagne” ganache:
I know – it’s incredible how the same recipe doesn’t work one time and is perfect the next… I used the same recipe as last time which is from Tartelette but in actual fact is pretty close in proportions of ingredients to the one I used at Lenôtre in Paris.
And because I am a glutton for punishment, I thought I would attempt something extremely not within my capabilities: writing words with macs to enter in Tracey and Jennifer’s Eating your Words 2010 challenge.
I did an ok job – at least they got feet:
Ahem, yes there were a few random leftovers – I needed to “write” about four mac letters to get one decent one! And here’s what I submitted. As you can see, there was a little bit of mac carnage and a few cracks and chips going on. But they look ok, right?
As for the others, well they had a little party of their own:
Yes, it’s my attempt at food styling!!!
And how did they taste? Well, just ok. I was not particularly pleased with the flavour of the “champagne” ganache but it sure did look pretty. Perhaps another time (yeah right!) I might do the opposite – make the shells “champagne” flavour and colour them “champagne colour” (yes, I have recently discovered an amazing baking and cooking store and had to buy a few little supplies.. They ship worldwide too!) and make the ganache orange and orange flavored… Maybe.
In any case, Cheers!
CHEERS… oh I loved them. That was brilliantly done. This is a mac-celebration Mardi, and I love the party happening here! Lucky you to have feet the first time around!! I’m still looking for them, teehee!
Thank you for these celebratory macs. Jamie and me love having you at Mactweets!!
Thanks Deeba for your kind words and endless encouragement! Love being a part of MacTweets!
Cheers to you! Every time I see your macarons efforts, I get inspired to try and make them.
I like the reverse idea you describe!
Yes I might try that reverse idea at some point…
Good job! I have yet to make my first macarons.
I think that might just have to be an “international incident” recipe… 😉
Oh my! You’re becoming an expert, stunning macarons!
Yes, it’s taken quite a while but I *may* be getting the hang of it!
What a fantastic – not within your capabilities – triumph. Your letters are PERFECT – and so are the macs… look so lovely – and I am sure they taste so, too. Please share the name of your baking and cooking store – and your “not so happy with” champagne ganache recipe”… as well as, please, the type of colouring you used. Did you venture into your Pierre Hermes book yet?
These look delectable…. every bit as lovely as the ones I just ate a couple of days ago at Laduree in London!
🙂
Valerie
Hi Valerie – I emailed you.
These looks great! Cheers to you for success the first attempt this time around! They are very pretty even if the do not taste so swell. Your pics are looking really nice these days. 🙂
Thanks Gwen – I am really trying with my pictures but I still have a VERY long way to go…
Wot — no mention in the psot of the lovely vintage rose Champagne? Brought up from the cellar for the photo shoot, it, well, had to be drunk… 😉
Yes, thanks Neil though it was a bit past its prime…. Lovely anyway!
Macaron letters?! I feel a macaron queen coronation coming on…
Oh I *hardly* think so!!! LOL!
haha I love how you made letters out of these! they look adorable even if you say they don’t taste that great 🙂
Yup – at least they look good, right?
Mardi, you’re getting good in making your macaroons. And yes, you worked hard for it. And they’re getting better and better.
Well, *sometimes* they work out, yes… They are very unpredictable!
You’re so modest. You made letters? Pretty amazing. And everything looked fantastic, including your “food styling”. Great shots. And since you only had to make the macs once, you got extra hours added to your life! Thanks for using part of that time to come by my place. You always brighten it up.
Thanks Carrie – my “food styling” is still very much in its baby stages…
You are SOOO amazing!!! Letters with macarons?? WOW. I can hardly get them to stay circular. So impressed!
Cheers Jen – though I bet they wouldn’t work out again!
These are so pretty – I love the bright orange and pink colors!
Cheers Natasha – I have been a bit unwilling to use colours in my macs until these last two times and have been very happy with the results so far. A little goes a long way.
CHEERS! Your macs and word art are tremendous-I feel like celebrating right now. I’m not as versed in the art of macaroons as you are my fair lady, but would a champagne mousse work? http://laptopsandstovetops.com/2010/02/13/champagne-roses-vierrnes-valentine%E2%80%99s-dessert-3/
Thanks Rachel – and yes, perhaps a mousse might work as long as it was thick enough! Next time…
I can not believe the letters; many of us struggle to make those little round circles so I’m beyond impressed. Always look forward to your mactails!
Thanks Barb – I am still a little bit in shock that they turned out!
Cheers – Love it!! I think they look just fine 🙂 One of these days, I will muster up the courage to try making macs. I will be sure to thoroughly read your posts first!
Cheers!
C
You just need to jump in and try it out!
WOOT! You got FEET and pretty feet, too! Great job Mardi. I love the letter macs, that is ambitious!
Feet and feet on letter-shaped macs!! Whoo Hoo!
Sensational effort!!
(Ooops, clicked accidentally).
Deserves, a great big MacCheers
LOL – love it – “Mac Cheers”!
Cheers to you Mardi! These look so pretty! Love the letters!
Thanks Andrea!
Pleased to see the beautiful letters. Congratulations and Cheers! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall as you got the templates for the letters. I am VERY impressed. xxx
Mum – it would have been SO much easier if you were there – I bet your letters would have been perfect!
They’re perfect! Well done! I love the colour, and also the letter shapes.
Also: you have put me in the mood for champagne!
Cheers Peter – and hey, any time is a great time for champagne!
These are Brilliant. Love the letters.
Thanks Lora!
Wow, wow, wow! Those letters are so cool . I love the colour of the macarons too, but pity the taste wasn’t as you hoped. Still, feet and brilliant shells more than make up for it.
Yes the flavour was disappointing but they looked pretty so that’s important!
These are stunning Mardi! You’re a pro now! 🙂
Thanks Rachael – I just take what I can get!
I live my mac dreams through you Mardi. Cheers!
Cheers to you too!
These look fantastic. Hmm – maybe it’s not luck anymore! I think practice has made perfect, my dear!
Ah but see that recipe failed me a few times ago so….
you are becoming quite the mac master! way to go!!
Well, one time out of every three is not bad!
Amazing… I am so impressed by the letter shaped macs. They look incredible. When you come visit this summer, I might have to get you to give me a lesson on how to make macs 🙂
Oh yes, mac classes chez toi!!!
You’ve mastered the macaron! You’re even creating perfect letters now, just further demonstrates your macaron expertise. =) Well done! How did you like that Pierre Hermé macaron book?
Hi Cristina, I love the Hermé book but have yet to try anything from it – it’s the Italian method which I haven’t tried and I need time and calm to work with that!
Oooh an online baking store? Thanks for this very dangerous link! And ha ha ha see? When you are concentrating on the filling the macs come out perfect! Therefor just do, don’t think! And they are wonderful! Love the flavors too. And those letters are fabulous! Excellent post and excellent macs, Mardi! Love it all! Cheers!
Cheers to you Jamie – yes, an online baking store = danger!!! And you are so right, let’s not overthink things!!!
These macs are beautiful. So ambitious to pipe letters. Who would have thought?
i love your CHEERS macs!! how clever!!