Project Macaron #3

Finally! Here it is - the purple shade I was after for so long.

The photo does not do it any justice but I did it, I finally managed to work out how much colouring I had to add in and let's just leave it at that.

Today's macarons have a blackberry jam filling. Yes - I know, I cheated a little. I ran out of time but I really wanted to make purple macarons for Nish's morning tea. It was either that or raspberry brownies.

I think I've finally worked out the 'right' consistency so the piped out macarons don't spread on the tray while it is drying.

I did have another go at using the silicone mat Nish had lent me but this time the macarons look deformed! You know what happens to deformed macarons? - they get chomped up by the resident cookie monster (me!)

Project Macaron #2

If it's one thing that I can't seem to get right, it is colouring the macarons! I've tried the method of adding the gel colour to the sugar syrup. Judging by the amount I had used and the shade it was I thought I would at least get a light orange shade but no I was wrong. It came out more light caramel than orange.

Back to the drawing board.

Before I forget to introduce the macaron - it's supposed to be an orange coloured macaron with chocolate passionfruit ganache in the middle. The ganache is a keeper although this won't be something I would be making too often as the passionfruit cost me $14!

I managed to work out the consistency of the batter so my macarons turned out 'perfect' rounds.

My colleague lent me her macaron sheet and so I just had to try it out. Conclusion - Easy to use!

Lets' Celebrate Fiona's Birthday!

This second cake is for Fiona, it was her birthday earlier in the week.

I wanted to make a cake which was light and fluffy so I settled on making a red velvet cake covered with cream cheese icing.

Do you like the quilted look?! I do. I made the quilted look with the help of my new 'diamond design' tool and am so impressed by it.

Rugby Jersey Cake

First off the baking line - Jimmy's belated birthday cake.

Jimmy is an All Blacks fan so the creative department of my brain was given a rest. The toss up was whether to make a jersey or a rugby ball. The jersey won - I was too scared to attempt a rugby ball shaped cake since my cake carving experience is nil.

This is my first 'carved' cake - this was a lot easier than I had thought it would be. Yippeeee! But I was let down by the black icing - it just wasn't going to do I wanted it to do and had lots of cracks/tears.

The cake is a caramel mud cake with white chocolate ganache.

I'm just wondering if I should bake another rugby jersey cake to take into work on Monday

Project Macaron #1

I am hooked on these yummy little treats and so I have decided that I will try mastering the skill of making macarons (I am not sure how yet!).

Project #1 : Plain macaron with white chocolate ganache

It was easy enough to make the plain macaron but I am still experimenting with the 'best' way to colour the macarons. I thought purple would be a nice colour but to my disappointment it turned out more grey than purple.

I used white ganache for the filling and since I know the recipe off the top of my head it was the quick and easy. The white chocolate is a little too sweet for me but I know of someone who would gobble these up in one sitting so she's got a box heading her way.

I'm just wondering what I'm going to do with all the leftover egg yolks?! I could attempt making my favourite desert of all time - Creme Brulee or maybe some lemon curd to go with project #2?