Raspberry Macarons Made Easy With The Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat And a Giveaway

    I love making cookies, all kinds of cookies, but there is one cookie that I have never made as they look so complicated to make. I have always wanted to make macarons as they look so pretty, but they also look difficult to make. I just knew I had to make them one day and that day finally came when I received a Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat. I saw this pretty pink silicone baking mat, even the box it came in looks pretty too, and knew that it would be able to help me make those macaron cookies that I have been dreaming of. The Simple Baking  comes with these pre-printed circles that you press the dough onto and it gives you a perfect size cookie. That means no more tracing circles on parchment paper or cookies of different sizes. The little circles on the mat are great for mini macarons of making cute bear cookies.

  The Simple Baker mat is a thick professional mat that fits most standard baking sheets. It is made from food-grade silicone and it will save you money as it is durable and reusable, unlike parchment paper. The mat is also non-stick so there is no need to grease your sheets. I also find that my cookies do not burn when I use silicone mats. This mat is unique as it has the pre-printed circles on it which is also great for making other types of cookies too. This baking mat has many uses beyond macarons too. I use my baking mats for everything from roasting veggies, baking french fries, baking rolls, and making chocolates. These mats are truly non-stick and are so simple to clean, just clean in soapy water and rinse. The baking mat even comes with recipes for macaroons!

                                                   Raspberry Macarons

                  INGREDIENTS

            1 cup confectioners' sugar

            3/4 cup almond or hazelnut flour 

            2 large egg whites, room temperature

            Pinch of cream of tartar

            1/4 cup superfine sugar, see notes on how to make

             1 tablespoon fresh raspberry puree, strained

          

             1 cup Raspberry jam for filling

Directions

   1. Pulse confectioner's sugar and flour in a food processor until combined.

   2. Whisk the egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Than add cream of tartar and whisk until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low and add the  sugar. Then increase the speed to high and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Then fold flour mixture into the egg whites until smooth and shiny. Fold in puree. You can add 2 drops of red food color if you desire a red cookie.

3. Transfer batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip. Pipe the batter onto the Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat, that is placed on a baking sheet, onto the circles. Once all circles are covered, tap the baking sheet to release trapped air. Let stand for 15 minutes and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

4. Bake 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until crisp and firm. Let cool for for 3 minutes and then place on a plate to cool completely before adding filling.

5. Sandwich 2 macarons with 1 teaspoon jam

Notes: To make superfine sugar, place 1/4 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons in a food processor with the blade. Cover with a towel and mix on high for two minutes.

My macarons did not turn out so well, but they did taste good though. Now I know why I have not attempted making these before. I found this recipe on http://www.marthastewart.com/ and followed the directions so I don,t know what went wrong. My 15 year son said he saw a segment of Master Chef where the task was to make macarons and said even they fail. So if you you want to attempt making these go for it. I am happy that the Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat is great for making all kinds of cookies.

For more information on the Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat and to purchase one, just click on the below link. I have a promo code  TOM5PD14  to get 50% off the price of the baking mat. Just use the code TOM5PD14 at check out to get the baking mat half off, making it a great price.

                                    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/b00ni68dkc

I have a Simple Baker Silicone Baking Mat to giveaway to one of my readers. Enter on the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

"These opinions are my own and I was sent the above mentioned product to write my post."