October 2009 Daring Bakers’ Challenge – Hello Kitty Remix
The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.
I was really excited/worried about this month’s challenge as I’ve always wanted to try making macarons but knew of their reputation of being rather temperamental. I did so many steps wrong (no food processor and sieve so dry mix was lumpy, overfolded, difficult to pipe without the right tip, etc) and was fully convinced that it was going to be a disaster. But when I peered into the oven, I saw feet! I decided to make them into Hello Kittys again. I need more practice with piping it into different shapes and making them smoother, but not bad for a first try, I think!
I flavoured half of mine with honey chai latte powder and the other half with Horlicks. The chai ones I filled with spiced dark chocolate cream (ginger and cinammon). The Horlicks ones I left plain because I liked the malty flavour on its own. I think Ovaltine or Milo flavoured ones would be delicious. Like Ovaltinies!
I found macarons overwhelmingly sweet. Having never tasted them before, I somehow expected them to taste more like marshmallows. The sickly sugary sweetness was a surprise to me, though I’m not sure why given the ungodly amount of sugar in the recipe. Filling it with something sweet seems like such an overkill. I tried to make a second batch with less sugar and they failed spectacularly, so the sugar is obviously important. If anyone knows a way to make a less sweet version, do let me know!
These are so cute!
Yay for Hello Kitty
Oh my goodness, you have outdone yourself! These are SO adorable!
Thanks! They were heaps of fun to decorate
If I had prizes to give out, your would win for the cutest macarons! Well done!
Aww thank you so much! That is very sweet
Wow, they are sooo cute! Yeah, Milo would be great. I found this recipe very sweet as well. I then made Helen of Tartlette’s recipe and filled with dark, dark chocolate. That cut through the sweetness. Love your ideas though!!!
Glad I’m not the only one who found it really sweet! I’m thinking a peanut butter filling might help with its saltiness. Definitely will try Milo soon
Cheers for Hello Kitty! Great job!
Wow!! What a great idea! SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!1
That’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in… well… ages! Love what you’ve done with the macaron (and very much love that you’ve made some of them Horlicks flavoured. It brings me back to childhood!) And yes, I find macaron very sweet to eat as well, but normally sandwich them with a slightly bitter or tangy filling to try to balance it all out
Thank you! Horlicks flavoured anything is delicious
Oh my, these are absolutely cute and adorable! And who would have thought of horlicks. Great job!
Thank you! The Horlicks ones make me crave the Horlicks sweets I used to get in Singapore as a child
your hello kitty macarons are so cute! I would never have thought to do that. You are very creative!
this is amazing. they are so cute and perfect. I am jealous and a little depressed.
Aw, don’t be depressed. I admire your determination to keep trying. I tend to give up very easily. Your final product looks delicious!
Awww, those are sooo cute! I saw the picture in the DB forums and wondered “how did she do that?!” and now I come here to find out you have piped them that way! Sooo impressive! Your flavors sound great too! Wonderful job!
Thanks so much! The piping was really tricky. They’re all wonky and lopsided but the ribbon hides the flaws
These are sOoo adorable and cute!! great job!! =)
O they are so cute cute cute love love love them. Wonderful job o about the sweetness try a savoury filling that will cut the sweetness a little. Cheers from Audax in Australia.
Thanks for the challenge!
Oh those are just illegally cute! I wanted to do something with Horlicks as well but got sidetracked by other flavours, but I’ll definitely try it some time. Milo would also be great. Yum!
Whoa awesome job! I’m terrifed of making shapes with mine but I bet it would be good practice for my piping skills!
so cute!! I’ve been wondering why so few people make shapes out of macarons! I made heart-shaped ones once for Valentine’s day and I’ve been wanting to try different things. I love these!!
I agree! I was really surprised to see that almost everyone stuck to the round shapes. Heart shaped ones must have been so adorable.
you totally win for the cutes macarons.
this has to be one of the most creative macarons EVER! I think you can have start a macaron shop in JP selling this!
No way… I’m just speechless…!
Aww, they are adorable!!