Chouquettes

This is a very light, basic French Pastery that can be filled, or eaten plain. 

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
3 1/2 tbsp butter at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/2 cup pearl sugar (buy online or at Ikea)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with non-stick cooking spray.  Combine milk, water, butter, sugar and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until dough comes together in a ball. Continue to cook, stirring continuously, for one minute.  Transfer dough to mixer or clean bowl and let mix at a low speed for 2-3 minutes until slightly cooled. Beat eggs in one at a time, waiting until each egg is fully incorporated to add the next one. Increase mixer speed to medium-high for 1 minute to ensure that batter is very smooth.  Using a spoon, dollup the dough in 1-inch balls onto the cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with pearl sugar.  Bake for about 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.  If you are going to fill, poke a hole in the side and inject filling.  If eating plain, let cool and eat or cover to store.

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Macarons

Someday, when I perfect my macaron recipe, I will post that on this website.  However, that day is not today.  These macarons are made with the basic almond flour recipe for the cookies with red food coloring.  The filling is dark chocolate ganache with raspberry puree, with a fresh whole raspberry in the center.  So yummy!