I want to share a quick variation of my French macarons.
My parents are visiting for a long weekend, so we’re out gallivanting around doing things that Texans love to do when they come to California: wine tasting, harvesting food from the garden, marveling at the sight of water in rivers, enjoying the fact that when you look east and west you can see hills (we call them mountains) in the distance, and ordering vegetable-centric meals served in small portions at restaurants. Don’t worry, we’ll be back to our old Texan ways soon: drinking frozen margaritas (they were invented in Dallas, ya know!), tending our cactus gardens, enjoying the Texas sky that's bigger than anywhere else on earth (if only because the surrounding land is so flat), and eating meat at all 3 meals a day. Ok, I’m exaggerating a bit here, but my point is: Texans enjoy a California vacation just as much as Californians enjoy a Texas vacation. I'll be back soon with new small desserts and family stories to share. Until then, think of us in wine country wearing cowboy boots and sneaking bites of these cookies between sips of wine. These chocolate and orange macarons are all kinds of delicious!
*You truly need older egg whites for these cookies. After I make a dessert using an egg yolk, I put my leftover white in a small bowl covered with plastic wrap. I store it in my fridge for about a week before using it.
*I made my own almond meal by finely chopping a scant ½ cup of raw, whole almonds. I then grind them in a coffee grinder. Be careful not to make almond butter-2 or 3 pulses is all it takes. Sift very well before using.
Chocolate Macarons with Orange Buttercream
Ingredients
For the buttercream:
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 104Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 41mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
Maris (In Good Taste) says
These look like a gourmet delight! Delicious!
Blog is the New Black says
Love that you put orange in here! Sounds wonderful!
Ann from Montana says
I just put a batch of non-French ( :) ) macaroons in the oven. I've been wanting to try the French macaroons since seeing your original recipe. These look wonderful and thank you so much for all of the technique tips!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Have a great visit with your parents! The macarons look wonderful:-)
Nancy says
Christina, sounds wonderful. I've been unsuccessful in finding meringue powder. Local grocery stores don't carry, neither does Whole Foods. Any ideas or suggestions, can I substitute something else? Sure do want to make them...
Hope your parents visit is great. Have fun and thanks for all the yummy recipes you post!!
DessertForTwo says
Hi Nancy!
Thanks so much for writing. I find meringue powder in the weirdest places: in the kitchen department of the hardware store (in the cake decorating section) and at Michael's and other hobby stores. If you know of a place that sells those colored candy melts commonly used for cake pops and candies at Christmas, chances are they will have meringue powder. I've never found it at a grocery store either.
Good luck! :)
Christina
Ann from Montana says
Another option: King Arthur Flour carries Meringue Powder. Just saw it in their catalog.
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
These look perfect! And thanks for the tip about the egg.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
I have been wanting to make these after I saw an article in Fine Cooking. Love that this is the perfect size recipe as usual!
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Definitely my kind of vacation!
foodies at home says
Have a blast with your family! These seriously look like the perfect snack in between wineries! Hopefully the weather gets a bit better for us Californians!
Janna M says
I love that you've scaled these down. Can't wait to try it out.