What started off as baking chocolate chip cookies as a fun hobby inspired by her sister, Lauren Fernandaz is now the baker of her family and can make delectable desserts for every occasion. Macarons are her favorite dish to make. After the festive dessert caught her eye for the first time during a 4th grade trip to Paris, Fernandez, who’s been baking all her life, ascertained her love of baking.

To make delectable macarons, it is detrimental to use grease free equipment. Prepare your ingredients before you start as it will be easier to manage. Make sure everything is ready to toss together.

Up first is the batter. “Any basic batter recipe you can find on the internet will do,” she says. It’s what comes after that’s important.

“As you whip together your eggs, fold in the almond flour and powdered sugar to create the base. It is vital to not rush the process. Macarons are a more advanced dish compared to your everyday chocolate chip cookie, so keeping patience is important. It used to take me like seven hours, now it’s down to around two,” she says. 

“After the base is mixed together, roll up the dough into little two inch balls. The base should remain at a batter consistency. To create the base, transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round baking tip. Your baking pan will need two inch circle outlines placed underneath as a guide for your cookie.”

As the base of the dessert bakes, move onto the filling. Macarons come in a variety of flavors: chocolate, strawberry, pistachio–the list goes on. Raspberry, in Fernandez’s opinion, is the best. 

Filling is mainly comprised of jam, butter cream, or ganache. Salted caramel is another great alternative.

Let the dough rest for around an hour or until there is a thin layer on top. This will create a shell that allows the cookie to rise. Five minutes later add the filling onto the bottom of one cookie, sandwich another cookie on top and viola! You’ve just made delectable macarons. 

When the cookie is stable, dust dried fruit over it. This will add extra color and flavor so it’s as sweet to your eyes as your mouth. 

Practice is key. Anything you start off doing without experience is difficult, but through perseverance and patience with yourself, you too can make delectable macarons