I received product in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
There’s no question that macarons are super tricky to make. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared!! But I’ve always wanted to make them.
I was SO excited when I got the opportunity to look through the Mother’s Day Gift Ideas and Gifts for Mom sections at Uncommon Goods! If you’re new to Uncommon Goods, head over there ASAP and take a look. They carry thousands of unique gift ideas, including kitchen items and home decor.
One of the unique items I got to try was the Macaron Kit. If you’re new to macarons and feel the intimidation like I have, this kit makes that so much easier!
This kit is AWESOME. I know that you can draw circles and make templates for your macarons. I, on the other hand, would rather have this kit with a baking sheet full of circles to make the perfect macarons every time. It also comes with what’s called a Decomax, the circular item with the clear center. The batter goes in there and you attach one of the six included tips to squirt the batter onto the baking sheet. Genius. Let’s go through the steps to making macarons to see this kit in action!
Begin by placing two egg whites in the bowl of your electric stand mixer. Turn it on medium speed so it whips quickly and mix for 10 minutes, gradually adding 5 Tbsp sugar. After 10 minutes you’re going to have a lovely and fluffy meringue. This is also the time to add your food coloring, if you would like to make colored macarons. I used 5 drops red food coloring to get this pink color.
While the meringue is mixing, blend together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 c. plus 3 Tbsp almond flour in a food processor, chopper, or blender to make the mixture very fine.
The meringue will look like this after the 10 minutes, forming nice stiff peaks. Add the dry mixture to the meringue and carefully fold it together until combined, but not too runny and not too stiff. You want it to be able to slowly ooze. You will fold between 50-55 times. Click here to see some amazingly helpful images of what this should look like. (Did you notice I forgot to add the food coloring to my meringue? I added it at this point and I was so scared it would break down the meringue. Definitely add it at the beginning!)
Fix the Decomax with the tip with the smaller round opening and fill with batter. All of the batter will fit inside. Squeeze the batter out, tracing the smaller circle and filling in.
This baking sheet really makes things so much easier and faster. Tap the pan onto the countertop two or three times to help smooth out the batter and get rid of air bubbles.
Bake macarons for 15 minutes at 285°. Allow to cool before removing from the baking sheet. Fill with your favorite jam, buttercream, or ganache. I used a chocolate frosting and it was so yummy!
These didn’t last long at our house, that’s for sure!
French Macarons {Macaroons}
Ingredients
- 1 c. sugar plus 5 Tbsp (separated)
- 1/2 c. almond flour plus 3 Tbsp
- 2 large egg whites
- food coloring optional
- favorite jam buttercream, or ganache (for filling)
Instructions
- Place egg whites in a stand mixer and mix on medium speed for 10 minutes; gradually add 5 Tbsp sugar. Add food coloring, if using.
- While the mixer is going, blend almond flour and 1 c. sugar in a food processor. Add dry mixture to meringue once the 10 minutes is over.
- Carefully fold drying ingredients into the meringue, about 50-55 folds. Batter should be oozing slightly but not too runny or stiff.
- Place batter into the Decomax fixed with smaller round tip. Pipe batter onto each circle, tracing the smaller circle and filling in. Batter will ooze to fill out the larger circle.
- Tap pan on the countertop to get rid of any bubbles and even out batter. Bake 15 minutes at 285°. Allow to cool before adding jam, buttercream, or ganache.
Notes
recipe slightly altered from Saveur
The other unique item I got to try was the Flavor Infuser Water Bottle. I have always wanted to have a water bottle like this and I love it! I can make whatever flavor combo I’d like and it makes my water taste so yummy. My favorite is raspberries and fresh mint (seen above) and I can’t wait to try watermelon. Simply add the fruit and other ingredients to the infuser and place it back in the water bottle.
This would make such a great Mother’s Day gift. I’ve had so much fun with this water bottle! I’ve also found myself drinking a lot more water because of it. This thing is great.
Uncommon Goods is so cool in so many ways. Half their products are handmade and designed by artists and designers. Take one of the Studio Tours to find out more about some of them! And if you’re a unique artist or designer, get your work out there and join the community by participating in product design and art challenges.
Check out Uncommon Goods for so many great Mother’s Day gift ideas and other Gifts for Mom!
Alli
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Robin says
Please don’t advertise this travesty as macarons.
Alli says
I’m sorry that these macarons don’t meet your standards. These were my first try and I tried my very best.