Even though I have zero interest in starting a food blog of any kind, I love love love to bake, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I’m pretty proud that I’ve reached the point that I can whip up a pretty rockin’ last minute sweet without any recipe, using what I have laying around. This definitely takes a ton of trial and error, and a solid understanding of how different ingredients work. That being said, one of my favorite things to bake is French Macarons, which follow none of the basic rules for baking. These babies need a special touch, and everyone’s touch is different. There are hundreds of different recipes floating around, each claiming to produce perfect macarons, but if you don’t know your own touch, they aren’t going to work. SO! I’ve compiled all my trial and error with macarons, and done my best to add my own tips and tricks to the vast internet corner devoted to all the people crying on the floor next to their oven while they watch their hard work crack and melt. (been there done that)
These pictures are from my most favorite instagram to drool over…. JennaRaeCakes. These girls have mastered the macaron and make some of the most beautiful pastries I have ever seen.
I’m not even going to try to explain why these are the best cookie on the face of the earth because if you don’t already know, go eat one. Then come back. It’s undisputable that these are the most gorgeous, most perfectly delicate but packed with flavor, cookie.
They are also the most pretentious, difficult to bake, fussy to eat cookie ever, which is why baking them is a total hit or miss for me. Sometimes I’ll have three perfect batches in a row, sometimes the first one will suck so I’ll just get pissed off and give up, or sometimes it’s like every other sheet tray goes in the garbage. Totally unpredictable and almost entirely based on luck. My success rate has gone way up recently, I hope I’m finally getting the hang of it!
That all being said, when they work, they’re great. Like angels-bursting-from-the-heavens-and-singing-your-praises-great. Which is why I am obsessed with baking them. They’re manic depressive cookies.
If for some reason you think the thrill and anxiety of these sounds like your kinda thing, here is the recipe I use, with all my techniques and tweaks I’ve made for myself along the way. Continue reading