This month’s MacAttack is going pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October 1st marks the beginning of breast cancer awareness month all over the world. American Cancer Society uses this time to boost their campaign to raise awareness to breast cancer and to inform people that there is now a 98 percent rate of survival if the cancer is detected early. October is the month where you will see pink ribbons everywhere, which has been the national symbol for breast cancer awareness since it was first introduced back in 1991.
It’s a pleasure to participate in this special MacAttack. My sweet friend and neighbor is currently battling this horrible disease and another dear friend just started working as the Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Salt Lake City Affiliate. I volunteered to help and will be helping update their website and Facebook page with upcoming local events. If you live in Salt Lake, a fun upcoming event is the Zumba Party in Pink on October 20, 2010.
The chocolate macaron is my family’s favorite flavor, so I created a luscious dark chocolate mac and filled it with a pink white chocolate filling.
Be sure and visit MacTweets on October 20 to see all of the fabulous PINKARONS for PINKTOBER!
Pink Chocolate Macarons for MacTweets
Ingredients
- 100 grams powdered sugar
- 50 grams almond meal/flour
- 20 grams unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted
- 60 grams egg whites at room temperature
- 40 grams granulated sugar
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 2 drops liquid pink food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 310º. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and have a pastry bag with a plain tip (about ½-inch, 2 cm) ready. (Setting the pastry bag in a glass while you fill the bag makes it easier to fill.)
- Combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and almond meal. (Pulse in a blender or food processor to grind you almonds a bit finer. A mini food processor works best for this if you have one.)
- With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they're foamy. While whipping, gradually beat in the granulated sugar and continue beating until egg whites are very stiff and firm, about 2 minutes. (To test to see if egg whites are ready, whip until the tip of the peak doesn’t fold over when you pull the beater out of the meringue.)
- Carefully fold the dry ingredients, in two batches, into the beaten egg whites with a flexible rubber spatula. When the mixture is just smooth and there are no streaks of egg white, stop folding and scrape the batter into the pastry bag. (You can put a spoonful on a plate to test it. If it slowly flattens out it’s perfect. If it just stays in a blob, give it a few more folds.)
- Pipe the batter on the parchment-lined baking sheets in 1-inch (3 cm) circles (about 1 tablespoon each of batter), evenly spaced one-inch (3 cm) apart. Rap the baking sheet a few times firmly on the counter top to flatten the macarons.
- Leave out, uncovered for 15 minutes, then bake them for 15-20 minutes. Give the macs a gentle little shake with the tip of your finger to see if they're done. You want them set but not firm. It’s better to undercook them a little so they are a bit chewy and not crisp. Let cool completely then remove from baking sheet.
Pink White Chocolate Filling
- Combine the white chocolate chips and cream in a microwave safe dish. Melt the white chocolate chips on 50% power, stirring frequently - cook just until most of the chips are melted.
- Add food coloring and stir until smooth. Let cool a few minutes until it thickens up but is still spreadable.
Grace
What a great cause to be involved in. These macaroons turned out absolutely lovely!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
They look lovely Barbara , mine didn’t get any feet this time , I will try again when I get back from holiday.
take in paris
How pretty the combination of dark chocolate and pink turn out! Never created such macarons before…. Just beautiful and those cute little hearts….
And good luck with your volunteer work…
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
What a great flavour mum! 🙂 Hehe I did a pink item yesterday-I guess they say like mother like daughter! 😛
FOODESSA
Barbara…it’s a funny thing…I kind of started associating your talents with the difficult macaron. You did a fabulous job with these. The pink is so perfect and yes…they’ll certainly be appreciated along this very special cause.
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
pigpigscorner
So pretty!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
What a great macaron for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! They’re very pretty in pink!
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet
I’m a chocolate macaron lover as well, nice choice and the pink hearts and filling for pinktober is a lovely contrast.
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet
I’m a chocolate macaron lover as well, nice choice and the pink hearts for pinktober sets them off nicely.
Beth
Your macarons are adorable. And what a terrific cause. Such a wonderful tribute to your neighbor.
Emanuela
Love these macarons and I love your blog! Can I ask you a questions. I am yet to master macarons… they always crack….???? Anyway not sure why but I wanted to ask what temp you put your oven on to cook them… do you preheat to a higher temp and then turn down once you put in the macarons?
Keep up the amazing backing!
Barbara
Thanks for the sweet comment! Fortunately I live in a dry climate and my macs form a nice little crust after about a 15 minute rest time so I don’t need to worry about preheating to a higher temperature. Here’s a couple of troubleshooting links that might help. http://joepastry.com/index.php?title=troubleshooting_macarons&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 and http://www.syrupandtang.com/200712/la-macaronicite-1-an-introduction-to-the-macaron/
Good luck!
Lina
these are gorgeous! and they support a very good cause too!
faithy
These looks wonderful! I’ve not been baking macarons and i need to start baking some soon to rid the egg whites in my freezer. 🙂
PS: I saw your comment on Sarah’s blog..about your dog decided to help itself with 3 of your cupcakes! so hilarious..and cute..but i suppose during that time, must have been so frustrating for you.
Megan
What a beautiful cookie. I ate the other macarons that you gave me on my trip home and enjoyed every lip smackin moment. Thank you again for everything and for being the best roommate ever! 🙂
You are the queen of macs!
kristy
Barbara, your macaroons look absolutely gorgeous. And thank you for reminding us about the PINK RIBBON Month! Hopefully, there is a cure someday!
Blessings, Kristy
Cookin' Canuck
Beautiful macarons, Barbara. You are an expert at these now!
Mimi
Great Macs and a great cause. We still have a long way to go, but I think Susan G, Kormen would be extremely proud that our nation has taken up the cause in such a bold, pink way.
Mimi
Perfecting Pru
These look great Barbara. I am due to do baking for a works event in aid of breast cancer next week and I may have to steal your recipe!
Lora
I ❤ your ❤ macs! So sweetly wonderful for a good cause.
Cristie
Cancer has become part of all our worlds. Thanks for this post on the events here in our city. Your mac’s are darling, no doubt they were tasty as well. Lovely:)