I have had a huge interest in baking since college. My first real job, I would wake up early to make fresh bagels to bring to the office (fairly easy once you get a routine), and frequently hosted pageant parties where girlfriends would wear crowns while enjoying wine and dessert treats.
After many successes with established recipes, I must have felt my ego needed a check - I started to write my own. Years before I knew what a blog was, I created recipes. I still shudder when I think of all that was lost with a laptop death a few years ago - chills as I type that now.
Fast forward several years, adding a new challenge of baking vegan and gluten free. Friends and family subjected to enjoying flat loaf cakes with a smile, and a good stretch where all I made was variations of brownies "because I wanted the result to be dense and fudgy". Well, that part is still true.
French macarons were something I did not attempt as a vegetarian, when I could have easily used eggs. Nope, I had to wait until the challenge would be much greater. After a couple not so pretty fails, I summoned the willpowder to keep going.
With attempts at clever jokes came success! With this amazing product I created a cardamom macaron and filled it with dark chocolate ganache. Then I resumed breathing. Whew.
Before I share a recipe I will be making more batches. While these tasted amazing and had the similar textures to a classic macaron, I want to perfect their appearance while hopefully making them less delicate. I want to make other bright colors (for cardamom flavored I chose a pale green). I just want more excuses to make these and have that elation again! I was giddy all day. After I resumed breathing.
What was your last elated success, in cooking or otherwise?
(what runs) Lori says
Oh man! Can't wait for that recipe!
K says
I really want to make these vegan and gluten free!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
ack! You did it again?! I saw your desserts post and these babies were front and center... so I was like "darn it Leanne, how'd you miss that recipe?!" So I clicked on the post... and it's the same one I cursed the first time! Cursing = not bad... just I really wanna know how you did it!
Are they done yet?
Are they done now?
😉
amey says
wow, these look totally glorious and amazing! You do realize that people will offer you their first born children in exchange for vegan macarons, don't you? People are nutsos for these things!
spabettie says
hee hee. yep. which is why it may be saved for a cookbook. 😉
hihorosie says
woo hoo! WTG!
Angela @ Vegangela.com says
Too cute! 🙂
bitt says
I remember there was a recipe for vegan and GF macaroons from vegan dad on vegansaurus last year. other than that, i haven't seen anything like this yet. excited for your recipe!
i am confused a little, and feel free to ignore or clarify. are you vegan? a lot of your recipes lately have been vegan and you said that you would not have tried this as vegetarian, but I recall you used to not be strictly vegan. has this changed? i have been a little out of the loop lately and probably missed something. no judgement, just curious! i know either way you offer a lot to the vegan world in terms of great recipes!
spabettie says
hi bitt! many of my recipes have been vegan for a long time - and I've been eating mostly vegan for a while... just cut out the last couple things a while ago, quietly with no fanfare 😉 so YES I am now vegan!
and thank you - I appreciate the recipe compliment... I love to share the good ones, and LOVE hearing about people trying them!
bitt says
no fanfare? you deserve fanfare! well, these cookies are fanfare of sort and a great way to celebrate. congrats! wanted to be here to support and cheer you on!
Roz@weightingfor50 says
OMG...I will SO be making these. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to more of your recipes. Have a wonderful Sunday.
jess says
these are so cute.
Ricki says
I dunno, but I'd certainly say these look about as perfect as a vegan macaron can be right now! I'm pretty sure I couldn't eat them (sugar), but I don't care--want to try the recipe anyway! Can't wait until they meet your standards and you post the recipe. 🙂
spabettie says
thank you, Ricki! I love that you can appreciate them even if you will not eat them! 😀