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Interior and Designer: Linda Snorina
Art Producer: Hannah Dickerson
Editor: Anna Pulley
Production Editor: Andrew Yackira
Production Manager: Riley Hoffman
Photography 2021 Elysa Weitala, food styling by Victoria Woollard; except for the following: Marija Vidal, courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield.
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-68539-603-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63807-042-9
eBook ISBN: 978-1-63807-293-5
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I dedicate this book to my mom, dad, brother, boyfriend, Jevons Jiang, and Auntie Rachel; you guys have been the best supporters from the beginning.
Contents
When you think of a macaron, what do you envision? I see ptisseries in Paris, with huge display cases full of macarons in jewellike colors. Taking one out of the beautiful bakery box, you see it has a perfectly even shell-to-filling ratio, with a small ruffle at the bottom. As you bite into it, the slightly crunchy shell gives way to an airy, lightly chewy texture, and the soft, creamy filling bursts with flavor into your mouth.
In recent years, the popularity of macarons has skyrocketed. What suddenly made the rest of the world so crazy for macarons? Theyre pricier than your average cookie, but once you make them, you will understand why. The rainbow of colors, the endless combinations of flavors, and the beautiful aesthetics of macarons keep people coming back for more. Macarons can also be made into fun and whimsical shapes, making them even harder to resist!
I first saw macarons pop up on Instagram in 2012, and I was intrigued by their dainty size, beautiful colors, and countless flavors. I decided to peruse a French bakery in my hometown, which left me utterly disappointed. They did not make the macarons in rainbow colors; they were all the natural color of off-white and brown. Their flavors were either too sweet or too muted and unrecognizable, and the macarons were crunchy, not soft.
Determined to get my hands on the kinds of macarons Id seen and heard about, I decided to make them myself. The first time I tried making macarons, they turned out flat, like pancakes! But I couldnt just stand by and fail; I had to try again and research what went wrong. Eventually, I made a beautiful batch of macarons that I posted on Instagram, and people were excited! I kept baking them and began posting my tips and tricks online on my blog. Fast-forward almost 10 years, and here I am, still baking macarons, now as a full-fledged careerand with a recently opened bakery of my own.
When I bake macarons, it brings me joy, and when I teach people how to bake, I feel happy to help others discover the delight of macarons. In this book, I will teach you the basics, as well as more advanced techniques and flavors. We will learn the French method of making macarons, which is the simplest styleno boiling sugar or heating egg whites in this process.
Ill provide you with all the necessary knowledge and techniques to create the perfect batch of macarons and savor the enjoyment that comes along with it. In addition, this book includes some whimsical creations like bear-shaped macarons, heart shapes, and fun holiday flavors, as well as vegan and nut-free options. This book will allow you to dive deep into your creativity and come up with endless combinations and designs.
THE MADDENING SIMPLICITY OF THE MACARON
The first time I saw a macaron, I was dazzled by its beautiful appearance: smooth shell, vibrant color, and creamy, soft filling. I soon learned that although a basic macaron shell recipe is made of five simple ingredients (almond flour, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and egg whites), it can be difficult to execute properly. Many factors can change a macaron batchs outcome, which well cover in this chapter.
Weather Matters
Macarons are temperamental, especially regarding weather. Although extreme weather conditions can cause baked goods, such as meringues or pies, to come out differently, macarons take the cake for the most affected. For example, if its raining, its not ideal to bake macarons because the shells take longer to dry. If the shells cannot dry, theyll crack when baked. General humidity also affects drying time. To combat this, you may want to get a dehumidifier if you live in a humid or tropical area, to speed the drying process.
