Did Someone say Macarons?!

Macarons, are these cute European cookies that are starting to show up everywhere!! I attempted these suckers a long time ago but never really got the hang of it but recently after purchasing some from bakeries I knew I wanted to master theses puppies.

I had to practice a few times with different flavors but here is the recipe I tweaked just for you guys! Lets begin!

Tools you will need:

• Mixer
• Scraper
• Piping bag with a round tip
• Mixing bowls
• Sifter
• Parchment paper

Ingredients you will need:

• 2 Cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup Almond Flour
• 3 eggs whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Flavoring

Cookies&Cream flavor:

Add 25 grams of ground teddy grams (you can use any type of chocolate wafer but I prefer saving a couple of cents with using teddy grams.

1. You’ll start by adding your eggs, sugar and salt to the mixer. (If your not making cookies & cream add any color food coloring to the meringue. I found out that using powdered food coloring makes a much vibrant color.) Beat on medium high until the egg whites become stiff. While that is whipping sift powdered sugar, almond flour (and chocolate wafer for cookies & cream) together making sure to discard any large lumps.

2. Next pour the dry mixture into the meringue now this is the tricky part the mixing part is when it can easily mess up but don’t fret it takes practice and you will eventually know what kind of texture to want just by looking at it. For the mixture to want to keep mixing till you get a lava type mixture you want it to you drop down smooth but still hold its shape.

3. Piping time!! Now I have tried using wax paper instead of parchment paper but the just didn’t work out so I would recommend splurging a little on parchment paper. when it comes to piping I found out drawing circles on the paper helps them be somewhat the same size. Now I used a size 8 round tip you can use a large cup to hold your pastry bag make sure to have the tip folded so it doesn’t start coming out into the cup.

4. All most done!!! Let these puppies rest on the counter till they are no longer sticky to the touch. (usually 30 mins) At this time preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. (Every oven is different I usually let them cook for 12 mins then keep checking on them till the pop off the parchment paper by them selves which indicates that they are done!! (I usually takes me 20 or so minutes)

Now the reason why I love these delicate cookies is that the combinations are endless you can fill them up with so many different butter creams or jams.

This post was written by:

KAT VERA - (view all posts by Kat)
Kat is a lead pastry chef. When she isn’t in the kitchen she’s traveling space and time with Doctor Who and solving mysteries with Sherlock. Email her at kat@mind-speaks.com

Madeleines- No pan no problem-

I’m sure everyone have seen these shell like cakes at any Starbucks and wanted to make them but your first thought is “don’t have the right pan for them”.  Don’t worry no pan no problem! These delicate sponge cakes work with any pan!

Ingredients you will need:

4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, melted

You will need any pan you have (cupcake,heart, snowman… etc.)

• Beat the eggs, salt and sugar together until the batter begins to thicken (about 8 minutes with an electric mixer on low). Toward the end of mixing add in the vanilla. Stir in the flour. Then stir in the melted, cooled butter. Quickly spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan. (Make sure you butter/grease your pan so they will come out more easier) Bake at 375°F till golden brown.
• Dust them with powdered sugar and there ready to eat!!

I ended up uses a bite sizes brownie  pan that ended up working great but I do want to invest in a Madeline pan <3

This cute dense cake is perfect for any cup of coffee or tea :9 Hope you guys enjoy this if anyone decides to make them please post pics!!

This post was written by:

KAT VERA - (view all posts by Kat)
Kat is a lead pastry chef. When she isn’t in the kitchen she’s traveling space and time with Doctor Who and solving mysteries with Sherlock. Email her at kat@mind-speaks.com

Lemon Posset & Strawberry Jam

So Kim found this recipe and wanted me to try making it… Challenge accepted!! ( yes I’ve been watching too much How I met your mother)

What I will be making is an English dessert called Lemon Posset and to jazz it up were going to make homemade vanilla strawberry jam.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups Double cream (Heavy cream)
• Sugar (2/3 cup Posset) (1 cup jam)
• 3 lemons
• 1 Vanilla pod
• 1 cup fresh strawberries

Pour the cream and 2/3 of sugar into a sauce pan and slowly boil. Simmer for 3 minutes and remove from heat

Zest and juice the lemons into the cream mixture and stir well. Pour the cream into ramekins or glasses and allow it to set for at least 4 hours in the fridge.

Halve the vanilla pod and chunk into the pan with the strawberries, a tiny splash of water and the remaining sugar (1 cup) heat to dissolve the sugar and stir the strawberries  a little, then boil for 15 minutes  before transferring to a clean jar allowing to cool in the fridge. Top the set lemon posset with vanilla strawberry jam.

Serve and enjoy

Serves 6

I really enjoyed this recipe its very nice and refreshing  especially  during the summer!! If y’all try this recipe please show pics!! Enjoy!  ~Kat~

This post was written by:

KAT VERA - (view all posts by Kat)
Kat is a lead pastry chef. When she isn’t in the kitchen she’s traveling space and time with Doctor Who and solving mysteries with Sherlock. Email her at kat@mind-speaks.com