Instructions

Fig Swiss Buttercream

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Slice each in half and toss figs in the honey and move to a baking sheet.
3. Rost figs, turning every 10 minutes, about 30 minutes in total until reduced and syrupy.
4. Remove to a saucepan and cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat when thickened, similiar to corn syrup viscosity.
5. Cool completely. You can place this in the refridgerator while making the shells.
6. Place the 75 grams of egg whites into a heat-safe bowl that can easily fit on top of a small saucepan. Add 150 grams sugar and whisk well to combine.
7. Add an inch of water to the small saucepan and place on low heat to simmer.
8. Add the bowl of whites and sugar on top of the pan to gently warm. Whisk often.
9. The mixture will thicken but thin out, becoming more white. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. Ideally, check the mixture temperature. It should reach 160 F / 71 C.
10. Transfer to the bowl of a mixer with whisk attached.
11. Whisk at medium-high speed (about 6 on a KitchenAid) for 15-20 minutes. 15 is usually how long it takes me, but it may take 20 depending on the temperature, mixing speed, etc. Mix until glossy, stiff, and thick.
12. At this point, the meringue should be room temperature. If it is not, let it rest until it is.
13. When meringue is room temperature, start to mix with a paddle and add room-temperature butter 1-2 tablespoons at a time while mixing. When all butter is added and mixed well, add salt, vanilla, and cooled fig reduction.
14. Transfer to piping bag. This can be chilled and allowed to return to room temperature before piping on shells.

Macaron Shells (Italian Method)

1. Review my Macarons 101 post prior to starting. Although this tutorial discuses French method and this recipe is for Italian, many of the tips will still apply. You will also find a FREE printable piping template to put under your parchment paper for consistent shape piping!
2. Combine water and granulated sugar in a saucepan.
3. In a large bowl, combine almond flour and powdered sugar. Sift well a couple times.
4. Add 70 grams of the egg whites to the almond flour mixture and mix well. It will be a thicker paste-like texture. This is fine.
5. Put the remaining 100 grams of egg white in a very clean mixer bowl with a whisk attachment. Add the cream of tartar. Do not mix yet.
6. Heat the saucepan of sugar and water over medium to medium high heat WITH a thermometer placed. Please don't skip the thermometer. My reommendation is shown in the products below.
7. When the sugar syrup reaches about 212 F / 100 C turn on your mixer to medium low speed (3 on KitchenAid) to start breaking the whites to a foam. You don't want the whites to peak yet. Stop mixer if they near this stage before syrup is ready.
8. When the syrup reached 245 F / 118 C, remove from heat and while mixer is mixing at low speed (2-3 on KitchenAid) pour the hot syrup into the mixer bowl just at the edge of the whites. You don't want the whisk to splatter the hot syrup, but also don't want it to all stick to the bowl side.
9. Increase the speed to medium-high (~7) and mix for about 12-15 minutes. The sides of the bowl should be room temperature to touch. At tthe end, add desired coloring in final mixing.
10. Take a small amount (about a quarter) of the merinuge and add it to the almond mixture. Mix well.
11. Transfer the remaining meringue to the almond and fold until you can stream a figure 8 with the spatual and it slowly fades away. See my Macarons 101 post for details, as this is a very important step to master.
12. Transfer to piping bag.
13. Using the printable template that I have available here, pipe macaron shells ~1.5 inches to parchment or silicone mat.
14. Bang tray to release air bubbles.
15. You do not need to rest these shells if you have prepared the batter properly.
16. Cook at 320 F for 12-15 minutes. Do not allow to brown.
17. Remove and cool completely before removing.
18. Fill with buttercream and enjoy!
19. Find more recipes on SouthernFatty.com. Be sure to tag @southernfatty when you post your creations.