Monday, February 11, 2013

My First Batch of Macarons

I think beginner's luck played a big role in the success of my first batch of homemade macarons. I truly had no idea what to expect. Thankfully Martha Stewart's raspberry macaron recipe was really easy to follow. The only thing I changed was I made my macarons 1.5 inches instead of a 3/4 inch.

When I finished piping the macarons, I pulled the pastry tip to the side so it wouldn't leave a little peak in the middle. I banged the pan on the counter a few times, crossed my fingers and toes, and slid them in the oven. I got a little too excited when the oven timer beeped and I saw some pretty decent looking "feet" (the crinkly edge on the bottom of the shell) on my macarons. It's an exciting thing to have baking success on such an intimidating dessert!

The macarons were delicious. I loved the little bits of raspberry puree mixed in the pink macaron shells. Now that I know I can actually make a decent macaron, I am already searching for other flavor combinations to try.

Hopefully this beginner's luck will last when I attempt a batch of pumpkin pie, champagne, red velvet, or even earl grey! Or maybe I should stick with what I know and make some more raspberry macarons for Valentine's Day. :)

Have you tried baking macarons before? What flavors or recipes would your recommend?

56 comments:

  1. They look so nice! I'm jealous, I always thought it was impossible for an amateur to make macarons, but you did a great job!

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  2. Nice! I tried once and failed. I might have to try again wit this recipe.

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  3. Those look fantastic! You've definitely inspired me to try making these sometime. Earl Grey would be delicious!

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  4. Oh wow, what a great success for the first attempt! And I know that my favorite macaron is always the rose one, so maybe you can try that? If you like rose flavor, that is....

    -Rose

    rose-et-violet.blogspot.com

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  5. They look absolutely yummy. Why are they allegedly so hard to make?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Caleisha! I think it is because macaron recipes are so exact.

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  6. Wow -- I'm impressed! I've been baking for a long time, but I am TOTALLY intimidated by macarons. Maybe this will give me the courage to try. Yours are gorgeous!

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  7. Oh my goodness! I can't believe they are your first batch - my first seven batches were all disasters! I have never managed to one that looks half as good as yours!
    Claire

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  8. Wow! They look amazing!! Congrats on your first batch. I'm so scared to even try. Practice makes perfect though. :) Great job!

    Nestled in Nostalgia

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  9. Those look great! I'm way too scared to make macarons because I know I'd be so heartbroken if they didn't turn out well. :( I'll never forget my frustration at my first gluten-free biscotti failure.

    xo sage and spice

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  10. Holy cow. I absolutely can't believe how well your macarons turned out!!!! I tried to make some for my French translation club party and they turned out soggy and gross. Although I did use an English translation of a French recipe, so I'm going to go ahead and blame it on that. Congratulations! They look deliciously enticing.
    Megan
    xoxox

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  11. Good for you!!! I tried them and I made macaron soup the first time. The second time I made sure to fold the egg whites with the almond flour and it worked! =)

    These look super yummy!! =)

    Ergo-Blog

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  12. Ooh, these are so cute! And such a pretty colour ^_^ Now I want macarons!

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  13. I made my first batch last week and they were a success too! I made chocolate ones filled with nutella...definitely recommended!

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    Replies
    1. Yum! Chocolate and Nutella are a great combination.

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  14. So lovely Meredith! They look incredibly delicious. I've been wanting to make some for a while (I've never actually eaten a macaron before, but they look so good!) and even though I have an immense amount of studying to do this week, I might try some. yummy yummy yummy!

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  15. Stupid Question Ahead...

    Is there a difference (other than the extra 'o') between a macaron and a macaroon? I have seen both spellings recently in different recipes and was just curious.

    They are adorable, by the way! I love adorable desserts :)

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    Replies
    1. That isn't a stupid question at all! Macaroons are made with coconut and occasionally dipped in chocolate. Here is a post that describes the difference between the two: http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-macaroons-63982

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  16. They look delicious. Well done, especially since it was your first time.

    Love,
    Breathe Me

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  17. Gorgeous!!! I've never tried these myself...I always assumed they were scary!! I'm inspired!

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  18. They came out wonderful! I've never baked any macarons but I really want to.

    My blog: acolorfulcreation.blogspot.com

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  19. awesome job i love your liberty of london mug :)

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  20. OMG those look delicious! You did a wonderful job!
    ~Sara

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  21. Those feet look fantastic! Mine did not turn out anywhere near as amazing! Well done :) -- I may have to try again. Practice makes perfect :P

    - Kate xoxo

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  22. These look amazing! Now you have me wanting to try to make some of my own!

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  23. YAY!!! I was seriously looking for a recipe to try! I can't wait to try these! Thanks for the inspiring blog post :)

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  24. They look so great and yummy too!! Pretty pictures! :) xx Holly

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  25. They look beautiful! I have never tried making macarons but I really would like to!

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  26. I've always heard that these are super hard to make! Yours look fabulous, now I want to try!

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  27. These look delish! I'm saving the recipe and I think I'm going to try to get my sister to whip me up a batch. lol

    Free Patterns

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  28. They look perfect! I have had 3 attempts so far, and they come out ok, but a bit too puffy - I might be overmixing the egg whites... well done!

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  29. Well done! My husband bought me a macaroon cookbook for Christmas, I can't wait to try it out (just as soon as I work up the guts!)

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  30. Oh wow, you did so well. I've never even had a macaron.

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  31. I absolutely love love macarons, ever since my old roommate's mom started a macaron business and would send them in the mail all the time. I was always afraid to try them but after seeing this I definitely want to try the raspberry ones! Let us know how the others come out.

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  32. wow, they look perfect, i can't believe that this was your first try. i tried them once and they didn't look this nice, but were delicious nevertheless ;)

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  33. These look so lovely. I have attempted them once, lemon with a lemon curd middle. They tasted great but did not look all pretty like yours!

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  34. yum, they look lovely and delicious, my first ever macaroons were the biggest mess you've ever seen, they did taste amazing though :)

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  35. I've never tried baking macarons, but yours look awesome :)

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  36. These will be my next in line to bake. So proud of a newbie to make these so gorgeously! Kudos to you!
    Becki
    http://radiantlyrose.blogspot.co.uk/

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  37. One tip my brother, who is a pretty prominent Pastry Chef in San Francisco, told me is to let the macarons sit for half an hour before putting them in the oven. It helps to create that matte finish.
    Good job on your first batch! My first attempt turned out horrible - flat as can be but still rather tasty.
    I'm a big fan of the original flavour, with a nice salted caramel filling.

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  38. wow! Great job! I've been too intimidated to try making those as of yet. You've inspired me to maybe try again!

    http://www.spiritedshannon.com

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  39. ooooh!! The red velvet one sounds divine!! I may have to try making some macarons sometime in the near future!! xo

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  40. Oh yummy those look so pretty and tasty well done :). I've never made macaroons before, I would like to but they are probably to difficult for my clumsy self ha! Oooh I think nutella macaroons would be scrummy :).

    Rachael xx.

    http://theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk/

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  41. Great result!
    I will try this recipe too next time I will made macarons
    xoxo

    alice c'n'r
    http://cutenroll.blogspot.it/

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  42. You've inspired me! I've always wanted to tackle making macaroons. Yours are gorgeous!!

    -Stephanie
    www.voguevigilante.blogspot.com

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  43. Macarons have long been on my to-bake list. Always been too intimidate though. Someday, someday. Yours turned out beautiful!

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  44. Macaroons are so intimidating to me! This has given me hope that maybe I can make them after all :)

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  45. Wow they look absolutely delicious - and PERFECT! I wish I could make macarons. Unfortunately they always turn out the same way as my meringues - flat and chewy in stead of light and crisp :-( Well done you - especially on your first try!

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  46. Oh wow - these are UNBELIEVEABLY impressive for a first attempt at macaroons - Learning how to do these scrummy little bites of heaven is on my life list (which I'm not making much progress with ..) I still haven't had a try, maybe I should, you really made it look so easy!
    xx

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  47. wow these look awesome but I am always so scared to try making them - I'll just have to jump in and go for it!!
    Anna
    thedustyatticblog.blogspot.co.uk

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  48. your first attempt was much more successful than mine :)

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