Desserts & Sweets without chile shortening apricots vanilla

I'm a little giddy. OK...a lot giddy. Macarons have been on my "must try someday" list for ages now. I first saw them in Martha's Baking Handbook and just[...]

FOR THE CAKE: 3/4 stick butter , softened 1 scant cup sugar (I used 7/8 cup, which is 3/4 cup + 2 T.) 1 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon[...]

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4 c. icing sugar 3/4 c. grnd blanched almonds 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour 1 whl egg , lightly, beaten     Galette 2 x Granny Smith[...]

500 gm ready to eat dry figs roughly minced 50 gm blanched almonds or possibly brazil nuts rf you prefer 2 x oranges grated zest and juice 250 gm mascarpone[...]