About two years ago, I had this idea that Jack and I could start a food blog together. I thought it would be fun to try new things, and to chronicle our highs and inevitable lows. On my list of foods I thought would be “fun” to tackle: macarons. We both love them… good ones are often hard to find… so by all means we should make them ourselves.
Fast forward to now… that macaron project has yet to happen. Mostly because I knew it would likely end in a tantrum and a few tears. Second, and most importantly – we made a macaron friend!
Nikita, of Hello! Macaron, works with Jack as a computer animator by day, and is an amazing macaron-maker by night/weekend. She started sending her creations home from the office, and I’m now totally hooked. They have that perfect crisp-ness on the outside, and a soft chewy middle. Ladurée cravings: solved.
Last weekend, she came over and made a batch in our kitchen so we could share them here with you all. (And by share, I mean, you just get to see the photos, we got to sit back and eat all the yummy macarons – sorry!). They take her around 4 hours from start to finish. She says she enjoys the process because it takes precise technique and patience.
We requested matcha macarons because we’re still on our Japanese kick, and she filled them with sweet azuki bean paste. Yum, yum.
Nikita was so kind to share her recipe (below), but if you live in the Austin area, you should just cut to the chase and order them from her. She uses organic eggs and her kitchen is gluten free. She also makes adorable custom character macarons – hello kitty, wedding bunnies, etc – they’re super cute, go check them out, and place your holiday party orders while you’re there: www.hello-macaron.com.
matcha macarons
Printrecipe, courtesy of Nikita Carbone of Hello! MacaronAuthor: Jeanine DonofrioServes: 12 macaronsIngredients- 62.5 grams almond powder*
- 62.5 grams powdered sugar (sifted so there are no lumps)
- 60 grams caster sugar
- 15 grams water
- 23 grams egg whites
- 3 grams matcha powder
- 21 grams (additional) egg whites
- ½ cup of Azuki bean paste
*find azuki bean paste at any asian market.
For photo purposes, I made her bake these on parchment paper, but a silpat is recommended so they don't stick or spread.
Ingredient substitutions are not recommended.
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