Okay … I am in love with Macarons. Not the coconut ones (or as my sweet 6 year old friend M. calls them … “the American ones”), instead the actual French ones! I am trying to master the recipe for M.’s sister’s tea party next week & as you will see from this photo, I have a lot of work ahead of me. Mine actually look like Driedels! Let me tell you, looks are deceiving as these babies ROCKED and they received more compliments from my astounding taste panel than I have ever had!

I used three recipes for them & varied them a bit: The actual cookie part – I used the Basic Macaron Recipe and flavored with almond extract. AS well I ground my own almonds. The filling I used two different ones: a Blood Orange Curd & an Italian Buttercream (flavored with Vanilla Beans).

A BIG THANK YOU to those of you who inspired me!!!