I’ve seen many, many bloggers get together to celebrate things like baby showers and weddings for other bloggers, and I’ve always thought that was kind of neat. Most of us have never met each other, but when we all comment on each others blogs and promote each other on social media, we form a little community.
I didn’t realize that these communities existed until I’d been blogging for a couple of years, and I wasn’t part of one until about 8 or 9 months ago. I couldn’t believe I had gone so long without having blog friends! Really, it’s made a huge difference.
So today we’re all coming together to celebrate Nora of A Clean Bake. Cause she’s getting married, y’all!
I have been dying to make some macarons. I first made some back in May with my friends Meredith and Molly, and we kept saying we were going to make some again. They’ve just really been on my mind for whatever reason, so I decided to try ’em.
I wanted to do something black and white and then use gold decorations, so I went with vanilla cookies and dark chocolate frosting. It wasn’t until I was literally piping out the batter that I decided to try polka dots. I’m definitely a macaron novice, so I wasn’t sure it would work, but I realized I was going to have way more cookies than I needed.
I measured out about 1/4 – 1/3 cup of batter and tinted it black with food coloring. After that I put it in a squeeze bottle so it would be easier to pipe. So, working very quickly, pipe out a few circles of batter, maybe around 5. Then pipe the dots. Keep working by piping batches and dots before the skin forms.
The other thing about the polka dots is that it can be hard to actually get them all to line up in a nice little pattern. Mine ended up being different sizes and a little scattered, but I’m surprised it actually worked at all.
For the dark chocolate frosting, you can buy store-bought, or use this easy recipe:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup Hershey’s Dark Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Beat butter on medium-high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a bowl with an electric hand-held mixer) until smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla, and then mix until combined. Then add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until mostly combined, then on medium speed until completely combined and fluffy. Transfer frosting to a piping bag with a small round tip (like Wilton #12).
Use the small end of the same #12 Wilton tip to cut out some small circles. I then rolled out the circles a little bit because they were a bit too thick, but if you roll out your fondant thin enough in the first place, you don’t have to worry about rolling them out again.
To make the roses, fold one petal in half or into a circle, then wrap the petals around it one at a time. Bend the petals out slightly as you go. Let them dry and stiffen for a few minutes so you’ll be able to attach them to the macarons without squishing them. Pipe a small dot of white frosting in the center of a macaron and place a rose on top.
Also, to my parents, this is why I didn’t want to get rid of my old box of dress-up clothes. I knew I would be participating in a 1920’s inspired virtual wedding shower one day. Totally called it.
But I guess what I’d really like to say to Nora is, Congratulations!! I’m so glad we are part of the same little blogging community and that I was able to come across your blog. For those of you who don’t know, Nora used to blog at Buttercream Fanatic, but then had to eliminate refined sugar, wheat, and dairy from her diet. I am always so impressed by people who know how to bake without these things that I take for granted, and still manage to make them look just as delicious and indulgent as anything else out there. I find that so inspiring! So I hope you have a wonderful wedding, Nora, and the best of luck to you both!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the fabulous ladies participating in this virtual wedding shower!
Paleo Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Whipped Cream from Culinary Couture
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies from Pass The Cocoa
Mini Almond Butter & Jam Layer Cakes from The Pancake Princess
Pumpkin Maple Crème Brulee from Blahnik Baker
{Gluten and Dairy Free} Mocha Almond Cookie Cups from The Sweet Tooth Life
Pavlova Petit Fours {Gluten and Dairy Free) from Club Narwhal
Toasted Almond Granola Bars from Chez Catey Lou
Best Granola Recipe for Fall and GF, DF, Apple “Pie” from Baking A Moment
Vanilla Dark Chocolate Macarons from Bethcakes
Vegan Oatmeal Cookie Milkshakes from ImmaEatThat
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons from Gotta Get Baked
These are just adorable, and swanky. They’re almost too pretty to eat…almost!
Thanks, Jennie! 🙂
Oh I love these!! The polka dots! So pretty! I’ve had macarons on my baking bucket-list for what feels like ages – I really want to give them a shot!
And yay for blogging friends! 🙂 I didn’t even realize the whole community was so there and awesome until about a year into blogging – apparently I lived in my own little bubble lol
Ashley, you should definitely try them! I totally lived in my own bubble for awhile haha. So glad that’s over!
N-O-R-A!!!! *CHEERS*
Cheerleading aside, these macarons……
you’re killing me.
Please send me some macaron magic my way and cure my fear of totally wonky shells that is the main culprit behind me being totally afraid of making them myself.
Oh please, I feel like if anyone could make some insane macarons, it would totally be you! Do itttt. 🙂
Oh these are too cute! I LOVE how the little polka dots turned out, and how fun to be celebrating for Nora! I need to try my hand at macarons again…it’s been too long. Love these!
Thanks so much, Rachel! I’m glad I tried them again, not as intimidating as I remember! 🙂
Such a cute idea! These were so tasty too and love that you got Velvet the cat in on a post!
Thanks! Yep, she was very curious about those macarons. 🙂
Holy shizz, Beth, you are insanely talented. These macarons are absolutely perfect! The polka dots are simply adorable (I like that they’re different sizes. It adds to the charm) and I want to spoon that dark chocolate frosting into my mouth. Beautiful styling, beautiful photos – this is all just gorgeous. I’m so happy to celebrate Nora’s bridal shower with you today!
I didn’t think of the different sized polka dots adding charm, haha. I’m definitely going to go with that! Thanks so much, Nancy!
OMG, these are the prettiest! I love those black spots (and that cute cat :)! I have tried and failed at making macarons but I need to give them a second chance because they are just the cutest!
At first I thought you just painted those polka dots on but finding out they’re actually PART of the macaron, pre baking process? OMG. That is talent! Your food styling is absolutely perfect too, that old box sure did come in handy! Thank you so much for an awesome post!
Beth these are GORGEOUS macarons! I’ve never been able to make pretty ones before (mine are always lopsided lol) and I love the color combo – so chic and classy for this virtual bridal shower. 😀
Oh my goodness, your macarons are FLAWLESS! (: I love the addition of the white roses; they look so elegant and pretty!
Cutest macarons ever!!! I love the polka dots and the wee little rosebuds. And your styling is just gorgeous and so perfect with the theme!
Congratulations to Nora and these tiny bits of goodness were great!
Beth! Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I fell IN LOVE with your blog a little bit as soon as I clicked over. It’s just the cutest thing…or is the cutest thing these macarons? Seriously, ADORABLE. The polka dots are killing me. I nominate these as the cutest favor at Nora’s virtual party 😉 Amazing job, lady! <33
Ah, the Great Gatsby theme!!! love this. . and love the macarons and Nora is a lucky girl for having friends like you guys. . so special and sweet! 🙂
So Delicious! The Dark Chocolate with Vanilla is perfect!
SO much fun Beth!!! And I’m totally obsessing over this photo shoot – the photos are amazing and so creative! These macarons look absolutely perfect 🙂
I absolutely love these! Looks like some intricate work but you’re so skilled at this. Yummy and beautiful.
Pinned.
Have a lovely Wednesday!
Congratulations to Nora! Your macarons look perfect. I am so impressed! I think the polka dots look wonderful. Your cat is beautiful and she totally blends right in with the food styling.
These are adorable Beth! So cute. And that’s so sweet of you guys to throw a virtual bridal shower!
These macarons are absolutely gorgeous, Beth! I love the polka dots – so so pretty! Yay, congrats to Nora – these are perfect for a shower 🙂