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!
Cristie
Lucky Sue! she is a perfect winner for your give-a-way! Your cup cake really sounds delicious and moist. I'm a complete sucker for anything citrus and mix it with a cake and it becomes double trouble. Princess Bride is a family favorite at our house with several lines memorized- they pop out at the oddest times! Love your macs, they are beautiful as usual.
Lunch. Yes, how about mid August?
Natalie
these are such creative cupcakes–I love it!
teresa
ps, i just saw that pic of you on the bottom of the page, you're adorable!
teresa
i have yet to even experience a macaron. they are so lovely, and you can't go wrong with a combo like that!
Kim
What a sweet idea for a macaroon and I love the idea of the mango buttercream. I never knew the difference between cream cheese and Neufchâtel. It's good to know the difference. Everything looks mango-liscious!
Heavenly Housewife
I adore the Princess Bride, what a sweet movie. Very nice flavour for the macs, they came out beautifully.
*kisses* HH
Julie
I love the Princess Bride! What a great source of inspiration for these beautiful macarons!
Cinnamon Girl
I love that movie Barbara! And I love your macarons – like sunshine on a cloudy day!
tspegar
these look lovely and i am such a princess bride fan! i love that movie! great job this month friend!
Cakelaw
Your buttercup macarons are gorgeous!!!! I am yet to see The Princess Bride.
Chow and Chatter
oh wow what a cute challenge and these look perfect
Sue
Barbara,
Your macs look so perfectly beautiful(with cupcakes to boot!)…you have evolved into a mac-maker extraordinaire! Love the buttercup color too! The Princess Bride is a fun family movie:)
Last, but not least, THANK YOU so much for the gift certificate! I was so excited when I found out that I won! You made my day!
XO Sue
Linda V
What a classic movie to choose, the buttercup macarons are so pretty and the cupcakes looks so delicious as well.
The Blonde Duck
I love Princess Bride. It's one of my favorite movies.
Juliana
Barbara, both the macarons and the cupcakes look awesome, if I only could have one of each…
grace
I've always been too intimidated to venture into the land of macaroons, but these look so delightful!
Plus the mango cream cheese filling sounds magnificent.
Megan
I love the buttercup macs. Perfect!
Vanilla Garlic was one of the first food blogs I ever visited and I've made a few of his cupcake recipes. The chipotle cinnamon is my very favorite flavor combo thanks to Garrett!
Cathy
Your macs are perfect, Barbara. And I love the story that goes along with them, a lovely interpretation of this month's challenge. I'm still working on it.
marla {family fresh cooking}
You give us two for one here!! Great recipes. Both the mac and the cupcakes look worthy of a princesses attention. and a prince for that matter!
Amanda
How absolutely gorgeous Barbara!!