Baking

Gingerbread Man Macarons

December 6, 2011

Gingerbread Man Macarons Group Shot

Since I made my Christmas Pudding macarons I have had so many other ideas for macarons. They are becoming a bit of an obsession. As Christmas is approaching I wanted to make these ones sooner rather than later. I have added gingerbread spices to both the macaron batter and the filling. The ginger flavour is quite strong as I wanted to make sure it balanced with the strong flavour of the almonds. I think it works well but if you’re not keen on ginger then you can leave it out.

In order to get the shape I found an image I liked and drew it out several times on a cardboard sheet the size of my baking trays. Make sure you leave enough space between them as they can spread. I then place the cardboard underneath the baking paper while piping and pull it out before baking. I decorated these using royal icing for the white and edible writing icing for all the other colours.

Gingerbread Man Macarons Making

I love the way you can stack them up although three high was the most I could manage*. You can also see them in the Christmas Tree formation.

Gingerbread Man Gymnastics

I will be adding these to the Mac Attack #25 The Last of the Year: Seasons & Holidays challenge. Check out some of the other macarons inspired by this theme – there are some fantastic snowmen and also some pure white ones made with coconut instead of almonds.

I am also sending this to Vanessa Kimbell. After her very successful ‘Let’s Make Christmas’ event she has been compiling the recipes of all the gifts people brought on the the day as well as recipes from those taking part through her blog. This post is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to give their loved ones handmade food gifts this Christmas.

* Unfortunately some gingerbread men were harmed during this photo shoot.

Recipe {Click for printable recipe}

Macarons (recipe adapted from ‘Secrets of Macarons’ by José Maréchal)

Ingredients

200g ground almonds
200g icing sugar
1½ tsp ground ginger
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground all spice
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp brown food colouring (powder)
200g caster sugar
75g water
2 x 80g egg whites (at room temperature)

This should make about 40 macaron men (so 80 shells).

Method

1. Briefly pulse the ground almonds and icing sugar in a food processor. Sift carefully along with the spices and food colouring.

2. Place the caster sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to boil without stirring. At the same time as this start to gently beat 80g of egg whites to soft peaks using a mixer.

3. When the temperature of the syrup reaches 105°C increase the speed of the mixer. Once the syrup hits 115°C remove the saucepan from the heat and pour in a thin stream into the beaten egg whites. Continue beating the meringue for 10 minutes so that it cools.

4. Combined the dry ingredients you sifted at step 1 with the remaining 80g of egg whites to make a smooth almond paste.

5. Using a flexible spatula, mix about a third of the meringue into the almond paste to loosen it, then combine the remainder of the meringue. Work carefully until you have a gently flowing consistency. Do not go too far as you will get flat macarons without feet if the mix is too runny.

6. Place some baking paper on your baking trays. Fill a piping bag fitted with a narrow plain nozzle (about 3mm) and pipe your gingerbread man shapes, leaving a space between each one.

7. Lightly tap the baking sheet on your work surface and leave the macarons to stand for about half an hour. Pre-heat the oven to 150°C.

8. Bake in the oven for 14 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before peeling from the baking paper.

White Chocolate and Gingerbread Ganache

Ingredients

125ml whipping cream
25g dark brown muscovado sugar
250g white chocolate (chopped into small pieces)
15g butter (softened)
1½ tsp ground ginger
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground allspice

Method

1. Put cream and sugar in a saucepan and heat until just starting to boil.

2. Pour over the white chocolate. Leave to sit for a minute then mix until well combined.

3. Add the butter and spices and mix until well combined.

Decoration

I used royal icing for the white details and edible writing icing for the other decorations. They would still taste great if you left them plain.

Enjoy!

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29 Comments

  • Reply Jill @ MadAboutMacarons December 7, 2011 at 8:12 am

    Laura, these are incredible! What a giggle, too, when you say some gingerbread men were harmed during the photoshoot. LoL. Really stunning.

  • Reply Lauren December 7, 2011 at 11:08 am

    I adore these! So very clever! Fantastic idea

  • Reply Heidi December 7, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    These look amazing! I can tell why you’ve gotten obsessed. 🙂 Can you say how difficult or easy these are? I’ve never baked a macaroon, and I have to say I’m a bit intimidated. I’d like to try these, though…

    ttyl! Heidi

  • Reply Hannah December 7, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    They are adorable! Love their little scarves and hats!

  • Reply Shirley Thomas December 7, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Wow and Wow they look fantastic. I will having a go at these How about some christmas tree shapes. I have tried to make macaroons with mixed results. I must say this has inspired me to keep trying.

  • Reply Laura@howtocookgoodfood December 7, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Wow, I would love to know how many times did it take before you perfected your macarons. Most people say it takes a few goes, so any tips ??!
    I love your comment at the end about some of the gingerbread getting harmed in the photo shoot! x

  • Reply bakingaddict December 7, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    These are amazing! So cute and creative. I’ve never been brave enough to make my own macarons much less make them in shapes and decorate them.

  • Reply Lora December 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    These are so darling, I can’t stand it. I love how they stack. Fantastic!

  • Reply Laura December 8, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Thank you for the lovely comments everyone, it’s really good to hear from you all.

    @Heidi – I wouldn’t say they’re the easiest thing to make but I think if you’re prepared to follow the method exactly then you have a really good chance of success. Not all mine have looked too good, my first batch were brown chocolate ones and I didn’t mix them enough so they looked awful but they still tasted great.

    @Shirley – Funny you should mention Christmas Tree shapes, they are second on my list to try (if I get around to it before Christmas). Definitely keep trying, they taste so good.

    @Laura – These are my 6th or 7th batch but I still wouldn’t say I’ve mastered them. I am learning more each time. I have only used the Italian meringue method so far and am still a bit nervous to try the French method, I always decide at the last minute that it’s too risky. As I say, my first batch looked awful so after that I read a lot about them before making the next lot. The best online resource I found is http://notsohumblepie.blogspot.com/ and I’ve found the book ‘Secrets of Macarons’ by Jos? Marechal really helpful.

    I have so many tips that I think there might be a whole post on them coming soon but my main ones would be;

    1. Combine the icing sugar and ground almonds by pulsing gently in a food processor and sieve well to remove all lumps.

    2. Get a decent thermometer that you can trust for the boiling sugar. I use a laser thermometer for this and find I can’t trust my other thermometer (a probe one that I use for chocolate).

    3. Reduce the oven temperature and cook for slightly longer. This made a big difference to my success – I was cooking them at 170?C before but the recipe I use now cooks them at 150?C.

    4. Most importantly – do not overmix the batter. This will make your macarons flat and footless.

    @bakingaddict – do give them a try, they are worth the effort

  • Reply working London Mummy December 8, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    wow. Stunning stunning stunning you need to start a macaron business. I loved the Xmas Pud ones but these are even more amazing!

    • Reply Laura December 12, 2011 at 9:28 pm

      Thank you. I like that idea 🙂

  • Reply Mich?le Faubert December 9, 2011 at 3:46 am

    Ils sont superbes !! Great idea for a fun result ! Good work !

    • Reply Laura December 12, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      Merci beaucoup.

  • Reply Lindsi B December 9, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Oh my word those look amazingly tasty! Would you please share this with my readers for our Fun Stuff Fridays linky party? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/12/fun-stuff-fridays-3.html

    • Reply Laura December 12, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Hi Lindsi, I have added them to your linky party. Thanks for asking.

  • Reply Lauralovescakes December 10, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    That’s such a good idea…I’ve never thought about shaping macaroons before!! I’m going on a macaroon course tomorrow, so perhaps I’ll try it!! Thanks 🙂

    • Reply Laura December 12, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks Laura. I hope the course went well.

  • Reply Vicki Bensinger December 12, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Your gingerbread macarons are adorable. I just spent the past two weekends teaching gingerbread house builiding to children and adults and love the aroma that permeates through the house when baked. I have to try these. How fun! Glad Jill from Mad About Macarons, shared your link. I’ll be back. Happy Holidays

    • Reply Laura December 12, 2011 at 9:36 pm

      Thanks Vicki, that sounds like a really fun job.

  • Reply Janice (Farmersgirl) December 18, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    These are incredible, I am very impressed.

    • Reply Laura December 19, 2011 at 9:40 pm

      Thank you 🙂

  • Reply thelittleloaf December 21, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    I am in LOVE with your adorable little gingerbread men – almost too cute to eat but I bet they taste delicious. Gorgeous post.

  • Reply Deeba Rajpal (@vindee) January 5, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    OMG … you hit the ball out of the park with these. I am embarrassed to think I celebrate my little round ones when they get feet! Yours are AMAZING … gingerbread men with feet, stackable, iced and fantastic!

    • Reply Laura January 13, 2012 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks so much for your lovely comments Deeba.

  • Reply RollerScrapper January 8, 2012 at 1:21 am

    Amazing! How you can pipe so evenly! I’m so jealous!

    • Reply Laura January 13, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      Thank you. My mum was a cake decorator and has passed on a few tips.

  • Reply Sue {munchkin munchies} September 23, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Wow, these are amazing and adorable!

  • Reply Ali . November 30, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    These are adorable! I would love to try to make these for the holidays! Is there any way you could explain how to make the gingerbread shape a little more? I don’t quite understand how you used teh cardboard… I have never made them before but I LOVE these!!!!! Thanks for the pictures and details!

  • Reply stacy December 11, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Laura, these are incredible!! Oh my gosh, coolest thing ever

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