Sunday, January 17, 2010

Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Chili Cream Cheese Filling


Having taken an unannounced hiatus of sorts, I knew I had to come back from the holidays with a bang. What not a better way than to participate in MacAttack3, a virtual mac kitchen that was the brainstorm of Deeba and Jaime.




Having gotten to know Deeba via Twitter over the last year, I kept hearing her and many of my other Twitter friends getting ecstatic over these things called "feet"- the ruffley bottom, a sign of a perfectly "born" French Macaron. Monthly, the cries of joy, literally, from around the world, were like a wave through the Twitterverse, all full of happiness and parental pride. Supposedly, this little thing called a mac, simple in its ingredients, was a stubborn little mule.



So I decided to try my hand at the infamous mac a few weeks ago, using cardamom as my signature flavor. You know, Moi, the maker of custom cakes and all things fondantly difficult..? How difficult could a mac possibly be...pffft!

I ground the almonds. Try as I might they took forever to come to the consistency needed for a smooth batter. I whisked my egg whites and, for the very first time in my life, they refused to stiffen properly. I folded in my almonds and spice, battling the lumps with each fold. Finally, piping the mac batter onto a dark, non-stick liner, I placed them into the oven, certain that my macs would listen to their momma.

Not.

They baked all too quickly, and, while they had something resembling "feet", they were only a couple millimeters tall, too dark, and harder than the pan they rested on. Just like a difficult child.


After more encouragement from my Twitter friends, Deeba, Barbara, Paula, Renee, and Barbara, I decided to give it another go, this time using Paulas Chocolate Macaron recipe. The reason I chose her recipe, besides the fact that her macs are simply gorgeous, was simply because her recipe had all the conversions from grams to cups, which had been part of my prior difficulty, already done.

So today, on my second mac attempt, I gave birth to 20 pretty and perfect Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Chili Cream Cheese frosting... complete with all their chubbby little "feet".


One prepared recipe of Paula's Chocolate Macarons
Chocolate Chili Cream Cheese Filling

4 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1.5 oz StoneGround Guajillo Chili Chocolate (or your favorite chocolate)

In medium bowl whip cream cheese with vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar until well blended. Set aside.

In a small microwave safe bowl, grate chocolate, preferrably with a microplane grater. Place bowl into microwave and heat, in 15-20 second increments until melted.

Add to bowl with cream cheese and beat until well incorporated. Slowly add remaining powdered sugar, mixing well, until a nice smooth (but not runny) consistency, adding more if necessary.

Spread mixture on the flat side of one mac, making a sandwich with another.

Makes approximately 20 Macarons.

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20 comments:

Jamie said...

Excellent, perfect, stunning macs! Incredible! Truly beautiful! And I love the flavor combination. So thrilled you made these macs for Mactweets!

Deeba PAB said...

Oh Mama, I luuuuurve your pretty feet! WOOT dahling Ednah, you were born to make macs mah love! BEE-YOO-TI-FUl...glad you got 'egged' on by us twitter crazy gals; just loving what you did with them. Thanks to the dragon's roar, WE GOT FEET! Love the favoured chili chocolate filling too. Got to make ya walk the planK next month too babes!! {HUGS}

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

IC you are hearing the pitter patter of chubby little feet throughout the La Crew household.

♥peachkins♥ said...

chocolate chili cream cheese frosting? wow! very interesting combo!

Barbara Bakes said...

Perfect little chocolate macs and only your second try! Look at those feet - I'm a proud Auntie!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Congratulations on your perfect macarons. They look fantastic. I've been wanting to make these for soo long and you've given me inspiration.

Maria said...

They look perfect! Nice job!

RJ Flamingo said...

You make me so ->sniff!<- proud! They are gorgeous, perfect little creatures - and on only your second try!

Oh, and chocolate + chilies? Freaking awesome!

Fahrenheit 350° said...

Those are gorgeous! I can't keep count of how many times I've tried mac's without success! I might try your recipe...

Barbara @ Vino Luci Style said...

Jed! The pitter patter of little feet has resulted in stunning Macs...and the flavor combo sounds so up to date. Great job...I got feet but now need to get'em to grow a bit taller!

Stacey Snacks said...

It's about time you baked something!
These macarons are as beautiful as Gerard Mulot's in Paris!

sophia said...

OMG. That's amazing, Janet!! Smoky and HOT! Ooh la la~~

Patsyk said...

Janet - they look so cute! You did a fantastic job and I think you'll need to add them to your cake decorating price list! :)

Megan said...

These babies are beautiful! And I love your flavor combo. Hearing everyone tweet about them and now seeing yours, makes me want to try them again. I've only made them for the DB challenge. But your sure inspiring me to try again!

The Food Hunter said...

Chocolate chili...I'm loving it!

Chef Chuck said...

Such a wonderful job they look so delicious!

RJ Flamingo said...

Just another note to let you know that I've dropped a couple of awards on you! Stop by when you can! :-))

Fahrenheit 350° said...

Oh my goodness! I'm still thinking about these! Can we trade: Your Mac's for my Pecan Logs? Just tell me where to send them!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Works of art!and the filling is so unique, I love it!

Kitchen Butterfly said...

Lovely macs.....my latest trials have been, hmmm not the best but.....we live to try another day!