Baking

Macar-unes: number one macarons

January 14, 2012

Macar-unes and 'One' Cake

Rowan turned one last week and we had a family party to celebrate today. I really enjoy hosting parties but I always get slightly stressed and perhaps a bit over ambitious about the food. It didn’t help that I also started back at work this week so was quite short on time. Fortunately, my mum had offered to make Rowan’s cake so I didn’t have to worry about that. I knew she was planning a blue number one, so I decided to make some macarons to match. I used the recipe I followed in this Makka-Pakka-Roons post. It is relatively time efficient as it uses the same batch of Italian meringue to make both the macarons and the buttercream filling. I find it makes the perfect amount of buttercream to generously fill all the macarons too.

Macar-unes

As with all my shaped macarons I drew a template out onto some cardboard the same size as my baking trays. Just draw out or trace the shape you want and cut it out, then trace round it onto the cardboard. You can then place the cardboard underneath the baking paper as you pipe out your macarons and remove it before baking them. To save time I only drew out one row of shapes and then moved the cardboard down as I piped. Don’t forget to leave enough space between each shape (I leave at least 1.5cm) or to reverse the image for half of them so you have matching pairs.

Macar-unes before baking

The monkey featured on the cake is a model of Rowan’s favourite soft toy, which we have imaginatively named Monkey. Since he was just a few months old Rowan has been very attached to Monkey. It does rock a slightly grungy look as Rowan cuddles him to sleep every night and for all his naps so I rarely get an opportunity to wash him. ALso, they are no longer for sale we so are slightly terrified of losing him and after a couple of near misses Monkey is now under house arrest. Rowan certainly enjoyed the cake, although the original Monkey was not keen to share the limelight.

Monkey and Rowan

I think that these macarons would look really cute as toppers for a cupcake too. I made a few other things for the party and there will be another post following soon for some decorated cookies.

I have added these to the Mac Attack #26 Razzle Dazzle challenge. I had hoped to make some glitter covered macarons too but just ran out of time. I think the blue of the macar-unes is pretty dazzling though.

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8 Comments

  • Reply Chi @ Carousel January 14, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    The macar-unes (love the wordplay!) look wonderful, Laura as does your Mum’s cake! And what a sweetheart Rowan is!!

    I hope your first week at work wasn’t too traumatic.
    Looking forward to seeing you again on Sunday! 🙂

    • Reply Laura January 15, 2012 at 12:48 am

      Thanks Chi. My brother in law thought of macar-unes and I do love a macaron pun. Looking forward to meeting up too 🙂

  • Reply Rollerscrapper January 17, 2012 at 2:26 am

    I love your little number 1s! What great piping! I can barely pipe circles so shapes really impress me! 🙂

    • Reply Laura January 23, 2012 at 11:29 am

      Thank you. I find having the template underneath really helps, even with circles.

  • Reply themacaronqueen January 22, 2012 at 12:37 am

    I love these macarons. Rowan looks like he’s enjoying his birthday treats. Happy Belated birthday, little boy. The blue turn out beautiful!

    • Reply Laura January 23, 2012 at 11:35 am

      Thank you! He certainly did enjoy them and had a great time at the party.

  • Reply Lora February 1, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    These are simply ADORable! I love the color, the shape their everything. The cake is pretty awesome too.

  • Reply Deeba Rajpal (@vindee) February 14, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Genius! Happy belated birthday to sweet Rowan. What a precious cake for such a precious poppet. Love the macs..they are pretty & definitely dazzling! Love how beautifully you piped the out. Must check out the link. Thanks for sharing these at Mactweets Laura.

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