Guess what? I baked Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons! I wanted to make something heart shaped and pink, and the idea fitted the brief. I succeeded! Well, sort of. I would have completely succeeded had I kept the oven heat, stable and constant. I was impatient and multitasked. When baking Macarons, you kind of have to focus on the oven especially when it’s a domestic type because it doesn’t really do your macarons any justice when you don’t. Especially when the oven’s temperature keeps getting hotter as time passes. I had to open and close the oven door to lessen or increase the heat so that it stays at the favorable temperature. It’s a bit of a hassle, but the flavor and the look of the macarons are quite rewarding. Anyway, having an unstable heat made the feet of many of my macarons bake lopsided. 悔しかったな。
This was actually my second try. In my first try after months of hiatus, I missed a step and that ruined the entire batch. I completely forgot to beat the white eggs and sugar together. Aha ha ha ha. What a rookie mistake! I had to dispose of the entire batch and start over. I felt so miserable, I slept on it and tried again the next day.
If you look at the edges of my Heart-Shaped Macarons pictured above, you will notice they looked a bit burned. Well, no. They’re not burn marks. They’re the edible pens that traced into the Macarons during baking period. I don’t have heart-shaped Macaron molds, so I drew circles on the parchment paper as a guide with a black edible pen. Next time, I’m going to use a color that best matches the cookies. I do have an edible red pen, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that beforehand. Another rookie mistake. Hah!
So, did you use the French Macaron method? Nope. I was going to do the Italian Method, but I am still a little unfamiliar with it and since the Swiss Method is very similar to the Italian in that they both sort of cook the white eggs with the sugar, I tried the Swiss version. And you know what? I think I prefer the Swiss Version over the French Version! It feels a bit more stable and adding colors and flavors is easier, too. Well, we’ll see. One of these days I will try the Italian Macaron Method and get back to you on that one. For now, Happy Valentine’s Day to all, Single and Couples alike. May your day be most romantic!
Sweet t’Haart 