Mactweets go to an International holiday party

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:

78 thoughts on “Mactweets go to an International holiday party”

  1. 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 =)

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  2. 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!

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  3. 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!

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  4. 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!

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  5. hahaa… never too much good champagne Mardi! You definitely nailed the christmas look and spirit 😉

    No kicking you out!

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  6. 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

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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!

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  9. 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”!)

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  10. 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

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  11. 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!

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  12. 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!

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  13. 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! 😉

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  14. 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

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  15. 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!

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  16. I love the how to pictures and the wonderful “tired and emotional” Macarons! How fun, Congrats on becoming one of the top 9!

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  17. Pingback: Round up #10 - International Incident Colour Party | Addictive and consuming - A Melbourne food blog
  18. 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!!

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  19. 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!

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  20. 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!

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  21. 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.

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