Macarons

A friend made some wonderful macarons for a shower recently, and when asked for the recipe, sent a link to this video that had step by step instructions on how to make macarons.  I wrote down the ingredients, then deleted the email without writing down the instructions.

Usually I can figure out a recipe from just the ingredients - cream butter and sugar, add eggs, etc., but this one was more complex.  And I couldn't find the original link.  But then, I found this one from Martha Stewart that has the same quantity of ingredients (71 g almonds; 117 g sugar, etc.) so I'm assuming that the link was either from the Martha Stewart site, or Martha had someone help with the recipe, or something along those lines.

I'm posting the link so I don't lose it again. . . .plan to post the recipe, steps, etc. when I get a chance.

Macarons

I think someone at work gave me this recipe - it's written on the back of an envelope.

71 g Skinless Sliced Almnods
53 g granulated sugar
117 g powdered sugar
2 eggs, divided


Chop almonds, then add powdered sugar and grind.  Sift and regrind as necessary (so all goes through  sieve).  Mix eggs and sugar together, then whip in a stand mixer on level 4 for 2 minutes, then level 6 on 2 minutes then level 8 for 2 minutes.

Add any flavoring and colors, then pipe into circles on a baking sheet.

Bake in 325 degree oven for 10 minutes until cookies are crisp.

A few links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdeGVLXYkCU

Jacques Torres Chocolate Mudslide Cookies

• ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (83 grams)
• 1 tablespoons baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and room temperature
• 2¼ cups granulated sugar
• 5 eggs, room temperature
• 1¼ cups walnuts, chopped
• 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• Kosher salt, for sprinkling
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (convection setting) or 325 degrees F. 

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.   Melt together the 6 ounces of unsweetened chocolate and the 16 ounces of bittersweet chocolate.  Cream butter and sugar; add eggs.  Add flour mixture until just mixed, then add melted chocolate.    Fold in chopped chocolate and nuts.  Chill dough for about 15 - 20 minutes.

Drop by spoon until parchment paper lined baking sheets; sprinkle with coarse salt.   Bake at 350 degrees F on the convection setting for 10 minutes or so, or at 325 degrees F on a regular setting for 12-15 minutes.   Allow to cool completely before removing from the sheets.

Tea Cakes

A few tea cake (tea cookie) recipes. . . . basically sugar cookies, typically served with tea.  Possibly served with jam or dipped in chocolate.


Old Fashioned 'Tea Cakes'
A handwritten recipe from my mother. . . maybe from her grandmother?
3 cups (360 g) flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanila
2/3 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2/3 teaspoon soda
1/4 cups milk

Cream shortening and sugar, then add egg.  Combine dry ingredients, then add to other ingredients.  Roll out and cut.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until brown.

Another recipe. . .based on a recipe on Epicurious.com

Sugar Cookies ("Tea Cakes")
2 1/2 cups (300 g) self-rising flour
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 - 3 tablespoons milk

Cream butter, then add eggs and vanilla then flour.  Add milk to make more of a batter and less of a dough.  Drop by teaspoons until cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes.

Alternately, skip the milk and roll out the dough and cut out the cookies.