Vive le Macaron - faux French sweets

   

There is much debate as to the date the famous Macaron (or macaroon) was invented, some tracing the treat's origin to as early as the 1500's some claiming a later 1700's date. Regardless of its origin, centuries later, this wildly popular colorful and elegant confection is having a hayday, starring in cookbooks and  confectioneries and being reinvented in hundreds of unique new flavors.

Since several attempts to create these heavenly sweets in my own kitchen resulted in a charred sugary disaster and three ruined cookie sheets, I figured my best bet was to go the faux (and calorie free) route with air dry clay and craft paint 

You'll need:

For macarons

Air dry clay

Gloss pastel colored paints

Glossy Puffy paint in coordinating colors

Photos of Macarons or the real thing for reference 
(This delightful book is from my local library)

old toothbrush, plastic knife or paintbrush with fine point end

 for packaging

Empty candy boxes (yes I have a sweet tooth)

scrapbook or decorative paper

printables

I started by shaping the clay onto Macaron shapes making the tops as smooth as possible. Using a small toothbrush I created texture around the center to simulate filling, pressing into clay firmly to define.

 Using the end of the dull side of a plastic knife, I made a small indent around the cookie in the textured filling area where the puffy paint "ganache filling" will be applied.

Allow to dry thoroughly.Patience required: Mine took over 24 hours.

Once the clay was completely dry I covered them with several even coats of gloss paint in flavorful colors, allowing to dry between coats.

Pipe Puffy paint around center to create filling and let dry.

Laduree window, Milan Italy CPaul2013

Macarons are often displayed in shop windows on cone shape trees so I thought I'd try it with my faux sweets version. I simply painted a cardboard craft cone and hot glued sweets in place.

You can also pop them into an apothecary jar or arrange on a decorative plate (to avoid unnecessary dental drama, make sure family or guests don't mistake them for the real thing)

Elegant Packaging is part of the joy of indulging in a fancy treat. A fun addition to your project is to create your own logo and label.

 You can cover empty box lids with scrapbook paper and add your own printable and ribbon if desired. I used vintage images from the the Graphics Fairy to create my own faux confectionery brand. When the paper didn't work for the larger box, I spray painted it with white primer instead before adding label. To my surprise it worked.

Faux Macarons make fun decor for a tea or dessert party. Serve the real thing with tea in coordinating pastel tea cups.

                                                                                   

  Laduree tea room and shop, Champs-Elysees Paris CPaul2013

Macaron gift shop, Versailles Paris CPaul2013

Fancy fast food:even French Mcdonald's serve macarons! Oo la la!
source: flickr