Les Petits Macarons: Colorful French Confections to Make at Home [Hardcover]

Kathryn Gordon (Author), Anne E. McBride (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2011

Macarons, the stuff of bakers’ candy-coated dreams, have taken the world by storm and are demystified here for the home baker, With dozens of flavor combinations, recipes are structured with three basic shell methods—French, Swiss, and Italian—plus one never-before-seen Easiest French Macaron Method. Pick one that works for you, and go on to create French-inspired pastry magic with nothing more than a mixer, an oven, and a piping bag.

 

Try shells flavored with pistachio, blackberry, coconut, and red velvet, filled with the likes of sesame buttercream, strawberry guava pâte de fruit, crunchy dark chocolate ganache, and lemon curd. Or go savory with shells like saffron, parsley, and ancho chile paired with fillings like hummus, foie gras with black currant, and duck confit with port and fig. The options for customization are endless, and the careful, detailed instruction is like a private baking class in your very own kitchen! All recipes have been tested by students and teachers alike and are guaranteed to bring the flavors of France right to your door.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Susan G. Purdy,  author of Pie in the Sky, Family Baker, and Have Your Cake & Eat it, Too
“I thought I had to go to Paris to find these luscious confections, but now I have them in my own kitchen. Thank you Kathryn and Anne for sharing the technique and demystifying the method! With these detailed recipes and clear explanations, we can all create dazzling French macarons in every imaginable  flavor. A must for serious bakers.” 

Nick Malgieri, author of Bake! and The Modern Baker
“Kathryn and Anne have put together a great collection of Parisian macarons, today’s top must-have sweet indulgence.”

Anil Rohira, World Pastry Champion
"This is a wonderful book on a on a mouth watering delicacy - macrons. I am amazed, impressed and educated with  your contribution, research, diversity and skills. I enjoyed the simplicity and the depth of information in the book. Well done Kathryn."

About the Author

Kathryn Gordon is a professional baking instructor and chef with sold-out classes at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She lives in New Jersey.

 

Anne E. McBride is the co-author of three books and the director of the Experimental Cuisine Collective at New York University. She lives in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 270 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (October 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762442581
• ISBN-13: 978-0762442584
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Cookies
  • #11 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Pastry
  • #25 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > European > French

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book! September 29, 2011

By CAC

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just received this book in the mail, after pre-ordering it prior to publication, and I am thrilled. I couldn't wait to try the recipes.

I love macarons,and I have purchased several books on the subject, but this one is by far the best. Although it has several amazing recipes (such as the key lime with marshmallow fluff -- YUM!), it also offer endless variations on shells and fillings. Fillings include ice milks for frozen treats, jams and pate de fruit, ganache, and buttercream. Shells include variations in nuts, flavors, and colors -- even savory recipes such as a maple bacon bourbon filling. You are limited only by your own imagination in flavor combinations. And BONUS -- you get really wonderful recipes that are excellent all on their own for jams, ice milks, and buttercream.

The troubleshooting chapter at the end of the book, complete with thumbnail visuals, is especially helpful. I spotted several of my own mistakes in this chapter, and I now have the guidance to correct them.

If you have unsuccessfully tried to make macarons in the past, or if you are an experienced macaron maker, this book would be great for either the novice or the expert (and everyone in between). The directions are very detailed, the recipes are professionally written in language that is easy to follow, and the book is beautifully designed. I also love the fact that measurements are listed by both quantity and weight. The recipes range from simple combinations to complex presentations.

I'm so glad I purchased it.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, bad recipes January 28, 2012

By Penelope

Format:Hardcover

I am a hobbyist baker; I've made plenty of macarons in the past. I sell them on the side and I've always had great success when making these delightful cookies. So, when I saw this book at a local store and saw that there were variations on the recipes that I have tried, as well as an "easy" way to make macarons, I caved and bought this. As one of the other reviews mentioned, the "easy" recipe was anything but successful. It instructed to not age the eggs, and not to set them before putting them in the oven. My "easy" macarons turned into one big blog that barely rose and really didn't taste all that great. I was shocked!

I thought I had messed up on my own, but no, after 2 more tries, it really wasn't me. It was the recipe. And the other recipes? Why mess with cooking the meringue when hundreds of other bakers have successfully instructed otherwise. Honestly, this book instructs the baking of macarons in a long, complicated, and/or completely unsuccessful way.

But on the other hand, the pictures are nice and the fillings suggestions are quite inventive.

Sorry, Gordon & McBride, I just wasn't happy with this.

~~An unhappy baker

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful book! October 8, 2011

By Joles44

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is very well written and easy to follow. I love the pictures and the classy look of the book. I can actually make macarons now! I love the trouble shooting section - every cookbook needs that.