The month’s Mac Tweets challenged us to create the perfect macaron inspired by a movie. The first movie that came to mind is a family favorite that we have watched over and over again for years. And even though I know all the jokes, they still make me laugh.
Princess Bride is “a classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing.” I don’t mind the kissing parts so much. In fact, who wouldn’t want a kiss like Princess Buttercup and Wesley’s kiss at the end of the story. “Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” Awwwwww
So in honor of Princess Buttercup and her happily ever after, I created a pretty yellow Buttercup macaron. I used the adapted Ottolenghi recipe for the macaron shells with a generous pinch of cardamom added to the powdered sugar and almond flour mixture. They’re filled with a mango cream cheese filling.
While searching for a Mango filling recipe, I stumbled upon a fabulous blog that I hadn’t visited before, Vanilla Garlic, and his Mango Lime Cupcakes with Neufchâtel Cheese Frosting. Since I had Neufchâtel Cheese in the fridge, I decided to add mango to his frosting recipe to create a pretty yellow filling for my macs. And since the recipe made more frosting than I needed for my macs, I thought I might as well give the cupcake recipe a try at the same time.
Neufchâtel Cheese is softer than Cream Cheese due to its lower fat and higher moisture content. I almost always use it instead of regular cream cheese. But with the additional moisture from the mango, I had a really hard time getting my filling to firm up. In the end, my frosting was a bit too soft, even though I added plenty of additional powdered sugar.
But it really didn’t matter much because these sinfully delicious cupcakes were scrumptious even without icing. Garrett describes them as intensely rich, moist, and dense, and they definitely are. Sort of like a citrus flavored pound cake. Since it’s so dense the cupcake center will sink, but Garret says, “don’t worry about the sinking because the mango has so much moisture it can’t really be helped. A small smear of frosting helps the presentation.”
So give these cupcakes a try and while you’re at it “have fun storming the castle!”
Sue Sparks, Munchkin Munchies, is the winner of my $75 Novice Giveaway. Congratulations! Sue and I are fellow Daring Bakers and have been visiting each others blogs for a long while now. Be sure at stop by and congratulation her. Have fun shopping Sue!
shaz
Oh wow! That was quick Barbara, I still haven't though of a movie yet. Love the Princess Bride though 🙂 Such a great idea to make buttercup macs, well done, they look fit for a princess.
Shea M.
The Princess Bride holds a very special place in me and the hubs' hearts: one of his best ment at our wedding last year (yes, one of, he had 3) started his speech with "Mawwage… mawwage is wut bwings us toogevuh, tooday"
And those macs are a perfect representation of the movie. When you started this post, I'm thinking "OK, how to the PB and yellow macs tie together?" Butter cup… duh! They're so pure and beautiful, just like the final kiss of the movie. Well done 🙂
Lisa
Beautiful macs, Barbara! Love The Princess Bride and fantastic pairing with Princess Buttercup. Funny moment – Initially, I kept thinking of 'Men in Tights' when thinking of The Princess Bride lol Also, the cupcakes look 'tea party' divine and so delicious!
faithy, the baker
looks delicious! I haven't made macarons in a while..i think i missed like 2 of the mactweet challenge..:p..keep forgetting..now seeing your macarons reminded me..
Cynthia
Those look wonderful! I'm feeling a little mac-envy right now!
Katrina
I have GOT to make macarons sometime. Never have. Just ate a few for the first time last year and LOVED them.
We just moved to Utah, where do you live? We're in Eagle Mountain.
Foodessa
Barbara…aren't you the busy bee in your kitchen. Love the mango cupcakes…especially with neufchatel cheese. The yellow hue is stunning! One day, I'd like to give these cuties a try too ;o)
Have a great week ahead and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
hehe mum of course you knew I had a yellow bunny growing up that I called Buttercup! 😉 These are so gorgeous 😀 My friend loves that movie too!
Faith
I love how these pretty macs were inspired by The Princess Bride! They're absolutely gorgeous, Barbara!
Cristina
Barbara – your macarons are perfect! How do you get such a perfect color to them? These macarons and cupcakes of perfection are just right for a tea party! 🙂
cindy
I haven't watched Princess Bride for ages. It just might be tonights movie! Both treats look delish, I do love a good mango dessert.
Katy ~
So summery looking and tempting with their bright beautiful color. Well done!
Asha @ FSK
Barbara, you are becoming the the Mac Queen. gorgeous, lovely macs.. such a summery yellow color!!! Love them
Jamie
Princess Bride is one of our favorite family movies and this was a fabulous choice, Barbara! The macs are perfect buttercups and your macs just get better every time. yay! Love having you play and bake with us! The cupcakes are great, too.
Memória
¡Bárbara tus macarons y cupcakesson BELLÍSIMOS! WOW. Estoy muy impresionada :). ¡Brava! Me encanta "Princess Bride" también. Es una de mis películas favoritas.
Honey @ honeyandsoy
Wow, the macarons are adorable, and what a summery combination of mango and lime! I'm definitely going to try this when mangoes come into season.
The Cookbook Apprentice
Yum, absolutely delicious looking!!
Kamalika
Hi Barbara How r u??? resumed blogging again….the macarons look just perfect and gorgeous…..
Deeba PAB
Love the yellow and the utterly gorgeous feet Barbara. Tweet tweet … that Princess Buttercup and Wesley inspiration is just to cool. It's brilliant that you tied everything up so well, and then got us some cupcakes too. WOW – purty!!
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite
Barbara they are absolutely gorgeous!!!! I could do with one right now!