I’m back! Yes, it’s been a while since I made macarons for Mactweets… Not that macarons have not been a huge part of my life in the last few months – you know, eating and making them in Paris and teaching my very first macaron class here in Toronto. But I have missed all the Mactweets deadlines since before the summer. This month’s theme is PINK and pink being one of my favourite macaron colours, I couldn’t NOT participate!
In fact one of my filling flavours was inspired by a new Tic Tac flavour I was sent to try by the kind folks at Noise Digital. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Tic Tac Canada is donating $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada and has launched a limited edition Pink Grapefruit flavour. The Breast Cancer Society of Canada is a registered, national, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to funding Canadian breast cancer research into the detection, prevention, treatment and to ultimately find a cure for the disease that women fear most. All month long, the Tic Tac Canada Facebook Page will be posting pink-related promotions, giveaways and prizes.
I love Tic Tacs and in fact, orange ones are my favourites so I was keen to try the pink grapefruit flavour. Predictably I liked this a lot though it was a lot sweeter than real pink grapefruit. In any case, I filled half of my pink macarons this month with a cream cheese filling into which I zested about half a grapefruit. The slight sourness of the zest offset the sweetness of the filling really well and was a nice surprise!
Next up, I filled the other half of the batch of macarons with a cream cheese into which I mixed some pulverized freeze-dried strawberries – not too much as it’s really sweet and I didn’t want the filling to be too pink – it needs some contrast to the shells.
I’ve never worked with freeze-dried fruit before but when I spied them at Trader Joe’s on our trip to Chicago a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t resist.
As the only ingredients were “freeze dried strawberries” I figured they would make a great flavour and/ or colour for macaron shells and filling and I was right. I’ll be looking out for other freeze dried fruits to use for this purpose now too!
It feels good to be making macarons for Mactweets again and I am happy to have put out a batch of macs for PINKtober!
Meanwhile, if you live in Toronto and want to learn to make macarons, I’ll be teaching classes at Le Dolci again in November, December (NEW CLASSES ADDED including Saturday December 3 from 1-3pm!), January (2 dates) and February (with more dates to be added for the new year). Check out the schedule here. And if you want to know if I am a good teacher, check out what student Jen from my first class made after attending my class!
* Canadian residents, did you enter my Cora’s giveaway yet? Contest closes October 29th at 6pm EST and the winner will be announced in my post on Sunday, October 30th. Good luck – I can’t wait to read your fun egg facts!
Oh wow Mardi, these are gorgeous!!!! Stunning! Wow I am speechless! I need to take your macaron class if this is what you teach! And what perfect pink color for Pink October in two luscious flavor combos. And yay for Tic Tacs and their Pink October action. All of this is just perfect! Welcome back to Mactweets, babes, you did it with flying colors!
I am so pleased to be back!
These are spectacular, Mardi! And I love the last photo where you can see specks of the strawberries in the filling….mmmmmmm.
Yes I liked seeing the specks too!
I wish I could go to one of your classes! I have not had time to try again, but last time had issues making them…AGAIN:-p I will get it! You definitely inspire me:-) Your pink macs are just gorgeous. And your strawberry specks in the second round of frosting is so pretty, really works with the pink macs! Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra
Thanks so much Terra – I finally feel I understand them!
STUNNING MARDI!!! i wish you could teach classes via skype – ever since my first bite of a real macaron a couple months ago . . . i am hooked baby – wow!!
Debra I am thinking about a few plans…..
These are gorgeous, Mardi. The pink color is so beautiful, and the fillings you chose sound delicious. You know, Debra may be onto something. If not classes by Skype, you could have a YouTube channel devoted to teaching macaron making.
That IS an idea…
Mardi, woohoo! Congrats on your macaron teaching venture. No wonder your places are sold out until end of the year. Fabulous macarons and adore their colour. Haven’t had tic-tacs in years (you’re so lucky to receive testers like this) and love the idea of your pink grapefruit ones, plus the freeze-dried strobs. Truly pinkilicious heaven!
Yes I am so excited to find the freeze dried fruit works for colour and flavour!
These are super adorable Mardi! I am with Debra and MJ…would love it if you could teach a virtual class for those of us far away from Toronto 🙂
Got my thinking cap on!
Mardi, they look perfect!! When will you be opening your macaron business to compete with Ladurée?? I am VERY willing to switch to the MM brand. Sublime photos of these gorgeous treats! I take it you liked the tic tac flavor?
Oh hardly! MM brand – LOL! Yes the Tic Tacs were yummy!
I’m trying to decide what I like more, your beautiful pink Macs or your stunning photographs! What a pretty post Mardi.
Aw thanks Paula!
Love the pink macarons! I would LOVE to come to one of your classes but will you ever be holding them on a non-Friday night? I work every Friday night so if there’s ever a Sunday afternoon version, I’ll be the first one to sign up!!
I put in the request!
Mardi–what amazing color!
Yes I was pleased with these ones!
These are so cute! I love the pink color!
Thanks!
These look like something out of a magazine. When you first started making macarons, did you ever imagine you’d be so great that you’d be teaching classes? Wish I could attend, or simply taste them all. MM’s Ms. Mardi Michels Macarons. MMM?
I think you need to come and take a class 🙂
You nailed mac baking. These are lovely. I would love to sample a few right now:)
I’m getting there Lora 🙂
Ooooooo! I let out a gasp when I saw your mac’s! Fabulous! I imagine that grapefruit zest would be a great contrast to the sweetness of the macaron!
Yes the zest cuts the sugar well!
I don’t think I’ve seen prettier macarons….absolutely stunning!
Thanks so much 🙂
Your macs never disappoint… They look stunning! I keep saying that I am going to give the macarons another try, but I haven’t done it yet. Maybe this week.
You need to come for a visit!
They are beautiful, Mardi! So happy to bake with again in the MacTweets Virtual Kitchen! I use freeze dried fruits quite a bit to color and flavor my macarons, too.
I am obsessed with the freeze dried fruits!
I’m not sure if you can get pink Tic Tacs in the UK, but they look great. Gorgeous post – think freeze dried fruits are the way forward…they provide colour and flavour without changing the consistency too much.
Yes I am so excited to have figured this out!
These are just lovely Mardi. Your macaron ideas and enthusiasm are inspiring!
Thanks so much – means a lot coming from you!
yummy tic tac goodness. I wish you lived right next door to me.
Me too, Penny, me too!
Your macaron look stunning!
Thanks so much!
Just had my first macaron the other day & i’m obsessed! Love these little pink guys! 🙂
They are addictive!
Gradually catching up with folks after the prolonged time away from my RSS reader whilst doing the book. I love these macarons and wish we had pink grapefruit tic tacs here!
Well I think you have a great excuse for not keeping up with other people’s blogs 🙂
Took my breath away, your PINKS did! They are stunning Mardi …and beautifully paired as well. I love the way your macaron journey has progressed…inspiring & wonderful! Thanks for joining the pink cause at MacTweets this month.
Thanks Deeba – I was thrilled they worked out this month!
Hi Mardi, Your macarons look great. I have some freeze dried blueberry powder from nutrifruit at home and wanted to try them to make some macarons (first time!). I was curious if you remove any the almond flour to allow for the freeze dried fruit or if you just add it to the recipe?
Thanks, Maggie
Hi Maggie, Honestly the freeze dried fruit, when pulverised, is so light it doesn’t weigh anything. Just don’t go crazy and it shouldn’t upset the balance of ingredients!
Sounds good. Thank you for such a quick reply!