Mactweets Movie Challenge – King of Hearts and My BFMF (Big Fat Macaron Failure)

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz

The Amazing Jamie and Deeba over at Mactweets fun and exciting challenge this month was to create a macaron around a favorite movie.

I immediately thought of King of Hearts.  For those of you not familiar with this film, it’s French, takes place at the end of WWI and stars Alan Bates as a soldier who is in charge of de-mining a village. He arrives to find the entire town evacuated. Only the inmates of the insane asylum are left behind. They declare him “The King of Hearts”, escape and take over the town.

A young and absolutely darling Genevieve Bujold stars as an inmate/tightrope walker/love interest of Bate’s character.

I first saw this movie when I was a teenager, every time after that I found something new in it’s message.  It says a lot about reality and illusion and the definition of insanity, especially when it comes to waging war.

I still find it funny, touching and brilliant.

I wish I could say as much for my macarons. They were flatfooted, uninspired and embarrassing.

To be fair, I was not in my own kitchen when I made them. I am traveling for three months and was staying at my friend Trudi’s when I made these. She has a dream kitchen, two dishwashers for Pete’s sake, just beautiful. But alas no help for my BFMF.

My plan was to make pastel heart shaped macarons (I love the pastel tones in the movie) with a red glitter heart painted on the shells filled with Nutty World Peace Buttercream.

I did have all my baking supplies together. However, it was hot, I did not have a scale or properly aged egg whites and, as usual, I was overly ambitious. I was also in a damn hurry as I was leaving the next day.

So I got what I deserve…  This:

and this:

and oh dear, this:

I did manage to make the filling and it was delish: 

Nutty World Peace Buttercream 

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick of butter
  • 2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon each of the following:
  • Peanuts
  • Pecans
  • Cashews
  • Almonds
  • Pistachios

Ingedients:

  • Put all nuts in a food process or or blender pulse until finely crushed almost into powder
  • Beat butter
  • Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar
  • Alternate milk and powdered sugar until you achieve the desired consistency
  • Add vanilla and mix in thoroughly
  • Add crushed nuts. Mix until just combined.

I gave the buttercream to Trudi and told her to bake something nice and spread it on top.

Trudi’s kids, bless them, loved these failed cookies and were gobbling them up as I left. So my attempt wasn’t a total waste.

Better luck next time.

A big thank you again to Jamie and Deeba at Mactweets for keeping the creativity rollin’! Please visit the Mactweets blog for some wonderfully inspired Macs.

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12 comments

Fahrenheit 350° August 18, 2010 - 11:25 pm

I feel you! It wasn't until I met with Barbara Bakes that I had any success at all!! Very frustrating and heart wrenching! How on earth did you get heart shaped macs though? Could that get any more darling?

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Cecilia August 15, 2010 - 7:07 pm

Lora, what a wonderful idea to make heart-shaped macarons! I really like your nutty filling, must be delicious.

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Deeba PAB August 14, 2010 - 11:02 am

What an inspired post, and now I want to watch the film, with some of those macs and peach filling! I'm with you and the failed macs; mine did too. At least you found something flattish and close to feet. I didn't get anywhere close! What a dreamy kitchen your friend has … Thank you for joining us despite travelling!
One for all & all for one!!

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Cathy August 13, 2010 - 12:55 pm

I think you were very brave to try to make heart shaped macarons, especially in somebody else's kitchen and when you were in a hurry. Your colors are so vibrant and a little mishap doesn't affect the taste one bit.

Sounds like a very interesting and enjoyable movie. I'll have to look for it.

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shaz August 12, 2010 - 10:57 am

Oh my, I would dearly love that kitchen. The macarons looked so pretty all ready to go, bit of a shame they didn't rise. But the colours are so beautiful, and the buttercream sounds delish. I'd be happy to gobble some up too 🙂

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Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet August 12, 2010 - 2:24 am

Wow that is a bit of a dream kitchen isn't it. I've always wanted to try heart macarons and I think your very brave for your attempt.

That 3rd last picture is like macaron confetti,I like how at the end of the story the kids liked them and gobbled them all up, obviously still delicious.

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Cristie August 11, 2010 - 7:04 pm

These are such tricky little things . . . you do have excitment for all you do. I love how your personality comes through loud and clear. Can't wait to see what you'll do next.

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Lora August 11, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Ladies – thanks for your macsupport. It's so encouraging…

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Seattle Pastry Girl August 9, 2010 - 6:10 pm

I love the post-you bake with love and passion , who cares what they look like..I think they missed the comfort of your kitchen ! And I agree, beautiful colors and I have to try the buttercream recipe…thanks for sharing.
Sandy

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Bonnie August 8, 2010 - 2:26 pm

We all have mac failures. So many variables. The colors were lovely.

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Lora August 7, 2010 - 5:16 am

Thanks for your lovely words of encouragement Jamie. I believe you are also repatriating yourself for a bit this summer. Enjoy! You and Deeba are the best! I will jump in with my whole heart and properly aged egg whites for the next challenge…

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Jamie August 6, 2010 - 5:12 pm

Oh no! I know how it is to be in a hurry and – worse – in someone else's kitchen! I think you are the Queen of Hearts for this great, colorful try and the energy you put in. Love the colors and the hearts and as I say when I flop – as long as they taste great! Have fun on your travels (lucky you0 and will look for your macs next month!

Reply

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