Monday, November 18, 2013

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



45 comments:

  1. What a clever idea! I love how these turned out. The cool thing is, that one can make these in whatever colors (flavors!) one wishes to. . .

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    1. Thanks Cynthia!
      you're right - there are so many "flavors" to choose from :)
      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  2. I love to bake macarons (look up Syrup and Tang's method of making macarons and you'll be making the real thing in no time!). I also like to craft too so I'll have to try your method of making faux macarons sometime. Thank you for posting your tutorial :)

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    1. Thanks Jen!
      I'll have to look up that recipe- I'd love to be able to bake the real things! The clay ones are so easy if you want to give them a try :)

      Christina

      Delete
  3. What a fabulous faux treat! Great copycat, including the labels.

    Judith

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    1. Thanks Judith!
      I tried to catch the spirit of those great french confectioneries- One day I'll master real macarons!

      Delete
  4. Really very creative! I want one...

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    1. Thanks Marigene!
      These were lots of fun to make- much easier than the real ones lol

      Delete
  5. Hi: Very, very cleaver. Those are the best treats. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  6. Darling, darling! love them and pinned them!

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    1. Thanks so much Joyce-
      I'm so glad you enjoyed them and thanks for pinning! :)

      Delete
  7. This is so cute, I love this idea. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thanks Marty,
      This was a fun project - I really enjoy linking up to your weekly parties :)
      Cheers!

      Delete
  8. Very clever idea! Love the colours and your cute boxes too. Thanks for sharing and coming to Tea Time.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thanks Sandi,
      These were such fun to put together- and thanks for hosting Tea Time-
      I always enjoy your weekly parties!
      Cheers

      Delete
  9. How fun! I tried to make them several times...without success either, I may ad. So I really like yours! The look without the mess! Well done! Thanks for sharing & linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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    1. Thanks Ruth!
      These were certainly easier than baking the real thing!
      I'm so pleased you enjoyed the project and always look forward to Tuesday Cuppa Tea :)

      Delete
  10. I would like to try this out to make a cute display for Christmas that is without calories...yea!!! :). Thank you for sharing.

    Candy

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    1. Thanks Candy!
      These would be lots of fun for Christmas! They are really easy to make (and you're right- Calorie free!) - the hardest part is waiting for them to dry :)
      Cheers

      Delete
  11. What a great way to create macarons and you did a fabulous job. i have always wondered about making these but am glad to know to just not try. The lastest sweet I enjoy are the meringues by Miss Meringue. have a great week.

    Pam

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    1. Thanks Pam,
      I'm not a terribly good baker so I'm sure you would have better luck baking the real thing than I did!
      I was looking for a good meringue recipe for a cookie exchange so I can't wait to check out Miss meringues version!
      Thanks so much for visiting PennyWise and for your kind words!

      Delete
  12. The faux macarons are delightful. I've tried making them too but they are a lot of work, at least mine turned out to be edible.

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    1. Thanks Judith!
      So glad you enjoyed the project - I'm sure I'll try the real ones again- but mine were such a disaster and you're right, they are a lot of work lol
      so glad you stopped by :)
      Cheers!

      Delete
  13. Why am I suddenly hungry?! These look so good, and even though they're faux, I would still try to eat them ;)

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    1. LOL! Thanks Doreen- sadly they probably would taste better than the real ones I tried to make! :)

      Delete
  14. That is darling and you have created something really unique! Thanks for sharing at Friends Sharing Tea.

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    1. Thanks so much Bernideen!
      So glad you enjoyed the project- I really enjoy participating in your tea parties!

      Delete
  15. Boy oh boy was I disappointed to read this are faux! Love the boxes - just perfect. I am bidding on the jaunty reindeer on eBay - keeping my fingers crossed - out bid at Halloween.

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    1. Hi Susan-
      I didn't know that was you bidding! lol- I should have some more paintings up next week if schedule allows-
      So glad you liked the macaroons- It's funny, I saw a few people pin them on pinterest under sweet treats and desserts- hope they realize they re clay :)
      Thanks so much for stopping by

      Delete
  16. Hi Christina, just an FYI that I followed on google plus. I thought I was a barely functioning computer user but pole plus boggles my mind and relied there is no alert o my blogger just as an FYI. I wonder if others like me have that problem? Anyway I just mail subscribed to make sure I receive posts...

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  17. Oh dear, I ju saw you ave GFC but at the bottom! Sorry...see how useless I am?

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    1. Thanks for visiting- and don't worry, I am terrible tech-wise and still trying to figure out basic blogging! So glad you'll be following along!

      Delete
  18. Hi. I referenced this post and included a link and a picture (the labeled boxes you created, with the 3 macrons to the left) in my post Tea in the Library #19. Please shoot me an email if you object to any of the above and I'll remove the feature from my post.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks Susan!
      Just love your tea in the Library series!

      Delete
  19. These are so cute! They really look real and so tempting! Thanks for sharing them with SYC

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    1. Thanks Jann!
      These were such fun to make! :) Love your weekly parties!

      Delete
  20. Replies
    1. Thanks Sherry! They're definitely friendlier to the waistline :)

      Delete
  21. I LOVE your faux macarons! They look good enough to eat! LOL
    I'd love to have you share them at WIW.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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    1. Thanks so much Patti!
      Just shared at WIW and thanks as always for hosting your fun ad inspiring parties!

      Delete
  22. What a lovely idea that worked very well! So pretty! I love macaroons and all things French, really. Thank you for linking up with Inspired Sunday. Please join again!
    Laura

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    1. Thanks so much Laura!
      I'm a fan of french inspired projects too. Thanks for hosting your Inspired Sunday- such a fun group of blogs!

      Delete
  23. Cute! I may have to make one of these for the Night in Paris dinner I'm planning in the spring. Thanks for the tutorial!

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    1. Merci Emily!
      How fun! These are so easy to make! would love to hear about your party! I bet your menu will be fabulous! I left a reply on Eiffel Tower comment as well :)
      Cheers
      Christina

      Delete

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