When I was thinking about writing this post I realised that In The Night Garden (warning – link plays sound) is probably my most watched programme over the last few years. If you’re not familiar with it then it you might think I’m talking in a different language, what with the Haahoos, Pinky Ponk, Ninky Nonk and the Tittifers. It seemed as though Rowan took a shine to it almost immediately after Casper had moved on to Peppa Pig. While they were watching it the other night I was absent mindedly thinking about ideas for macarons (a recent habit) when Makka Pakka and his Og Pog shuffled onto the screen and the two things merged in my head into Makka-Pakka-Roons. I thought I should make a few of his friends too, so here are the Tombliboos (Unn, Ooo and Eee) and Iggle Piggle.
In order to get the shapes as accurate as possible I searched online for images of each character, resized them on the computer and traced them onto baking paper. I then cut this out drew it out several times on cardboard leaving a reasonable space between each one. Don’t forget to reverse the image for half the shapes so you can pair them – I forgot initially for Iggle Piggle and had to hastily adjust them in the middle of piping. You then place the cardboard underneath the baking paper when you’re piping the macarons and pull it out before putting them in the oven. Even with a template it was quite difficult to pipe the Makka Pakka shape consistently. It does make a group of them look a bit like a police line up shot.
To decorate the macarons I used an edible writing pen for the black details and royal icing for everything else. I made it using Tate & Lyle royal icing sugar and made it up following the instructions, although I did add more water than stated on the packet. I kept the consistency of the icing quite stiff so I could do all the piping in one go, without having to do an outline and then fill. Casper had great fun decorating a few too. Apparently it is essential to wear a crown while you bake. The bottom right picture is him with his 1st birthday cake, which my mum made.
Recipe {click for printable version}
Macarons (recipe adapted from ‘Secrets of Macarons’ by José Maréchal)
Ingredients
I used this recipe to make the macarons with enough Italian Meringue left over to make the buttercream filling for the shells. If you are using a different filling then double the first four ingredients and make double the number of macarons. It is difficult to boil less sugar syrup so I don’t halve the quantities for the Italian Meringue.
100g ground almonds
100g icing sugar
1 tsp brown food colouring (powder)
1 x 40g egg whites (at room temperature)
200g caster sugar
75g water
1 x 80g egg whites (at room temperature)
This should make about 20 Makka-Pakka-Roons (so 40 shells).
Method
1. Weigh the bowl that you will be using to whisk the 80g of egg whites in. Make a note of this as you will need to use it later on.
2. Briefly pulse the ground almonds and icing sugar in a food processor. Sift carefully along with the food colouring.
3. Place the caster sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil without stirring. At the same time as this start to gently beat 80g of egg whites to soft peaks using a mixer.
4. When the temperature of the syrup reaches 105°C increase the speed of the mixer. Once the syrup hits 115°C remove the saucepan from the heat and pour in a thin stream into the beaten egg whites. Continue beating the meringue for 10 minutes so that it cools.
5. Combined the dry ingredients you sifted at step 1 with the remaining 40g of egg whites to make a smooth almond paste.
6. Weigh the bowl again now it has the meringue in it and calculate half of the weight of the meringue (for me this was about 130g). Using a flexible spatula, mix about a third of this into the almond paste to loosen it, then combine the remainder of this leaving the other half of the meringue in the mixer bowl for later. Work carefully until you have a gently flowing consistency. Do not go too far as you will get flat macarons without feet if the mix is too runny.
7. Place some baking paper on your baking trays. Fill a piping bag fitted with a narrow plain nozzle (about 3mm) and pipe your Makka Pakka shapes, leaving a space between each one.
8. Lightly tap the baking sheet on your work surface and leave the macarons to stand for about half an hour. Pre-heat the oven to 150°C.
9. Bake in the oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before peeling from the baking paper.
Vanilla Italian Meringue Buttercream
Ingredients
Remaining Italian Meringue from recipe above (around 130g)
100g unsalted butter (softened)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Place the bowl with the Italian Meringue back on the mixer and start adding small lumps of the butter, mixing each bit in thoroughly until adding another piece. Once it is all added increase the speed of the mixer and mix for about half a minute until the buttercream has a smooth, light but firm consistency.
2. Add the vanilla extract and mix again for a few seconds..
3. Once the macarons are cool pipe a generous amount onto one macaron shell and sandwich with another.
Decoration
I used an edible writing pen for the black and royal icing (made from royal icing sugar) for all of the other details. Make sure your royal icing is not too runny as then you can pipe in one go without having to outline then fill. Also make sure you cover any royal icing that is not in use with clingfilm so it doesn’t dry out.
The colours I used were;
Makka Pakka – chestnut (from powder colour)
Tombliboos – chestnut and claret (for both pink and red)
Iggle Piggle – royal blue
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