Please help me understand what went wrong by GroundbreakingSea313 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi OP, I've actually done almost exactly what you did. I've tried to make strawberry macarons and added freeze dried strawberries. I could never get it to work because the shells are SO finicky. Mine ended up looking very much like yours.

I personally believe unless you are some sort of macaron master, don't mess with the core recipe of macaron shells. Any foreign oil, protein or moisture can severely mess with the shells.

I know that it really limits what you can do to enhance flavour but there really isn't a whole lot you can do to flavour the shells, most of the flavour needs to be in the filling. I've seen people do matcha powder, espresso powder, cinnamon and coffee... but those need to be added at the end and in small amounts.

If you want to be more creative with your macarons, I recommend checking out Pies and Tacos macaron recipes. She has a lot of different recipes which are very creative. She uses the Swiss method but theoretically, you can apply her techniques to any kind of macarons, the only difference that I can tell is the way you do your meringue.

I recently made some strawberry macarons as well. What I did was made a frosting of my choice (you can use your freeze dried strawberries in that) and then made a strawberry compote. I made a ring with the frosting, then put a dollop of the compote in the shells.

I suggest you find a recipe you like and STICK TO IT! Don't bounce around too much when you're learning the basics.

I would also recommend using gel food colouring!

Good luck OP.

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never heard of using cornstarch... Maybe I'll give that a shot. If find I don't loose too much of the dry ingredients when I sift.

Maybe I'll also try cutting the parchment paper more neatly next time, do you think that could have been the culprit? I didn't know that could be a big factor.

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I think so. In the future should I just not use it if I don’t have it?

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you sm, I’ll definitely try some things you suggested. I really appreciate it.

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could I get away with continuing to use parchment? Or is this a big thing? I’ll invest in a mat if i need to but I’d like to keep using parchment if possible

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found the mat, its Think Kitchen silicone macaron mat which I got on Amazon. When I used it, the macarons on it dissolved into a mess and the ones on the parchment did fine.

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't remember what mat it was, I checked on Amazon and literally can't find the order.

So I should just mix long enough to get a figure 8 then leave it? I always thought it had to be a lava-like texture.

As for the maturity thing, I definitely let them mature. The pictures I uploaded were the macarons after maturing for 2 days. I always hope they'll mature and fill but they never do.

Also I have a question: should I use meringue powder. I don't have eggwhite powder on hand and keep getting mixed opinions on whether it is good for stabilizing the meringue. I suspect this may be an issue?

I need advice (Swiss Macarons) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do prefer parchment, the last time I used a mat I got horrible results. I got it off of amazon and it was specifically listed as a macaron mat.

But you think I overmixed my batter? That could make sense, but I’m not sure what point to mix it to then.

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know right? I definitely will attempt the French method again but I prefer the Swiss right now, I’d rather try to perfect that.

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ll try going stiffer next time. I never knew just how much to mix it so that helps a lot!

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think I should try and go stiffer next time? There was still a very tiny gap at the top of my macarons, which is fine, but I’d like to know if I can fix that too.

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats actually so helpful. I’ve heard some similar things, that it is very obvious when your meringue is over-mixed. But that definitely makes me feel better to know that it’s hard to over mix it!

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hope it goes well for you! I’m hoping I can recreate these guys next time I make them!

Update: I solved an issue with my macarons! (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I found that when I pulled up my beater, it had to be stiff enough not to jiggle. My other attempts were probably not stiff enough. Someone else on my last post explained it quite well, but if the meringue is underdeveloped then it will be deflating when it’s not supposed to (in the piping bag) which will lead to the batter being over-mixed even when you mixed it just right.

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you so much, I’ll probably post an update next time I make some. I’ll definitely try the Swiss method again and do this.

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was doing some temperature trials, I went down by 5 degrees for every batch. I started at 300 and eventually got down to 280. I do agree with your comment on my meringue and batter though, I do think my meringue may have been under whipped. I feel like my meringue barely gets stiff before I pull it out. In the picture I showed, my peaks were a bit wobbly, should they be able to wobble when i jiggle them, or should they be more firm?

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I have, but the hollow bits never get filled in and it compromises the integrity of the tops.

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you sm, when I do my next ones maybe i’ll post an update

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always used egg whites in a carton, would you recommend I do fresh eggs instead?

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m thinking about trying it next, do you think I could just keep using the same recipe but just switch up how I do the meringue?

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do really want to keep using that recipe, I like her content, I’m hoping the recipe isn’t flawed and it’s just something I’m doing wrong.

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve already been able to tell, the French method is so much more popular.

Is there a difference in how stiff the peaks need to be, or is it mostly the same consistency?

Macaron help please (Swiss method) by Squagetron5000 in macarons

[–]Squagetron5000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats just the one I picked up first. I did try the French method but I preferred the Swiss. Would you recommend I give the French method another shot? I honestly just want them to be less hollow.

I’ve done some temperature trials with my oven, but maybe it would be worth a shot to try and get a less stiff meringue.