Kara from Oregon, WI (2018 Week 9: Patisserie)

Baker

Kara

Location

Oregon, WI

Baking Challenge

Petits Fours

Have fun giving your creation a name and please describe your recipe.

Macaron Mania! Three flavors of macarons L to R – Banana Flip, Chocolate Coconut, and Pumpkin Spice. I have always wanted to make macarons but was too intimidated. After completing the last eight challenges, though, I knew it was time to give it a whirl. I really wanted to figure out the best method, so that is why I made three macarons rather than three different petits fours; it paid off for me. Each macaron shell came out better than the previous one, and I learned so much about piping and working with egg whites. I really enjoyed making macarons and I think they will be my signature dessert for a while now; they are so versatile! In the future I will be giving other filling styles a try; I'm looking forward to trying my hand at a lemon curd.

The banana flip (banana shell with vanilla buttercream) was inspired by my favorite childhood dessert; the banana didn't quite come through in the shell, so I put some freeze dried banana powder on the fillings for that extra banana oomph. Chocolate shells were a must and I filled them with the classic complement to chocolate desserts: coconut cream. Last was the pumpkin spice (shell and buttercream): I found leaves changing color in our yard and knew the pumpkin spice season was upon us. Jenni loves the pumpkin spice lattes, so this one was for her (you have to take care of your dishwasher when you are making this number of shells and fillings!).

Tell us about your creation's final texture after baking. Are you happy with it?

I love these! The chocolate coconut were the winners in this house. I didn't care much for the macarons I have had in the past, but after tasting these and getting the crunchy and chewy texture in the shell, I now understand the popularity.

Detail how you added a Wisconsin twist to your flavors or presentation.

These macarons are jammed full of local Oregon, Wisconsin eggs and Wisconsin butter.

How did you do?

Rocked it.