Hazelnut Macaroons + Tribute to my Mom

Hazelnut Macaroons Close Up | Accidental Artisan

It’s been quite some time since I have posted anything. The past few months (and all of 2017 actually) has been a terrible roller-coaster ride of hopes and fears as I watched my Mom’s life slowly slip away.

I didn’t bake anything for a long time, but with Christmas fast approaching I started feeling the creative urge to bake some goodies… traditional goodies. So here is the first of three traditional recipes I’m going to share with you all as we make our way through December. The first is these delectable and delicate hazelnut macaroons. My Oma has been making them at Christmastime for as long as I can remember and they would always arrive as perfect little mounds in the prized cookie tin I was gifted each year. Mom and I on the other hand struggled year after year making these as they always spread flat and ended up looking like we were trying to make boob cookies.

An old recipe book in German showing the original recipe for hazelnut macaroons
The original recipe for Hazelnut Macaroons (1145 Haselnussmakronen at the top of the page) in my Oma’s very old cookbook.

Last year, my Mom, Oma and I all got together and made them while I took very detailed notes to make sure we would have it down pat this time. Well, sure enough when I made them for the first time this year they all flattened out just like before. So frustrating! Oma came over to make them again with me and of course there were more tricks I discovered but they still weren’t quite right. More nuts and lemon extract instead of lemon juice later and they finally turned out the way I remember. Third time is a charm right? 😉

Two women in the kitchen placing hazelnut macaroons on a baking sheet
Oma and Mom perfecting the hazelnut macaroon. Christmas 2016.

I am just thrilled that I FINALLY figured out how to make these hazelnut macaroons just like Oma’s. I know my Mom would be proud.

Below is the tribute that I wrote for the beautiful soul whom I had the chance to call my Mom. I hope you all take the time to squeeze those who are close to you a little harder this Christmas season.

The day after Mom passed was another glorious, clear blue day. Jordan and I went for a hike in the woods where the maple trees had turned the forest floor brilliant shades of gold, bright orange and deep red. As we walked along one single maple leaf fluttered past my face. It was so close it was impossible not to notice. When we arrived back at the car, which was parked on and surrounded by hundreds of fiery leaves, we found one single maple leaf on the car clinging to the middle of the windshield. Then I knew… Mom had been with us the whole time.
That moment and experience inspired this poem in the days to follow:

I Feel You Everywhere

I feel you in the warmth of the sunshine as it illuminates my face.

I feel you as I watch a maple leaf flutter down in front of me.

I feel you in the forest where the sun streams through to warm the soil.

I feel you at the ocean’s edge where the soft waves hug the earth and the sun casts millions of diamonds upon the water.

I feel you in the soft, clear moonlight and in the star that twinkles and blinks down at me.

I feel you in my eyes that are yours looking back at me and in the beat of my heart for you are a part of me.

I feel you everywhere for you have become everything.

My mom’s life is one to celebrate! Although she had many struggles, I know there were times where she felt deep happiness, especially when cooking or baking something delicious and immersing herself in her garden. Those traditions run deep in me and I will carry them on not only for me, but for her.

As my Mom would say, happy baking!

Perfect little mounds of hazelnut macaroons on the third try!

If you liked this recipe you are going to love these ones!

Spelt Christmas Cookie Round Up
German Spice Cookies (Spekulatius)
Almond Anise Christmas Cookies

Hazelnut Macaroons

Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Keyword cookies, Hazlenuts
Servings 25 cookies
Author Sophie

Ingredients

  • 2 large egg whites
  • 125 grams icing sugar sifted
  • 6 drops lemon extract
  • 220 grams hazelnuts roasted, cooled and finely ground
  • 25 whole hazelnuts for decoration

Instructions

  1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl with hand held mixer, beat the eggs whites on high until very stiff. They should be so stiff that they pull away from each other when sliced with a knife.

  3. Add the sifted icing sugar and lemon extract and beat on high until mixture is stiff, holds its shape like stiffly whipped cream and does not move when picked up with a spoon. Remove 3 tablespoons of this mixture into a small bowl and set aside.

  4. Gently fold in the finely ground hazelnuts until evenly incorporated. Drop approximately 1 tablespoon sized mounds onto the parchment lined baking sheets. The cookies can be spaced close together as they should not spread. Add approximately 1/4 teaspoon of the egg white/icing sugar mixture on top of each cookie and gently press one whole hazelnut on top (pointed side up). Let the cookies dry at room temperature until they are dull and dry to the touch.

  5. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Let cool completely before removing from the baking sheets.

  6. Store in an air tight container. These cookies also freeze well.

10 thoughts on “Hazelnut Macaroons + Tribute to my Mom

  1. Wonderful to have you back on the blog. These cookies are definitely on our baking list. Thanks for sharing the pic of your Mom and Oma last Christmas creating these little jewels.

  2. What a beautiful tribute to your Mom – she left an amazing legacy – Sophie ❤️❤️
    A beautiful young woman and an amazing baker. Thanks foe the recipe, but i wont even try, I will wait till
    One day you gift us with your baking!,

    I wish you a beautiful Christmas
    With love and wishes for Peace❣️❣️

  3. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to you. I lost my Oma this year and it has been the hardest year of my life. Your post was very touching.Thank you for sharing.

    1. Thank you so much, it’s definitely been a tough year. Sending lots of love your way, I’m sorry to hear about your Oma.

  4. Hi Sophie
    I didn’t realize Christina was your mom. I spent wonderful hours hiking with her years ago in our Sunday group. We would have great conversations and the one that stuck out the most was we seriously considering getting our own cow! We were both conscious of our food source.
    I do regret never getting around to see her prized tomatoes. She truly was a beautiful woman, inside and out! Glad to have made the connection.
    Rose

    1. Hi Rose, I remember her talking about that cow! We had the most amazing raw milk in Germany when we were there together last. I think that’s what got her thinking about it. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

  5. Thank you, Sophie, for taking the time to work through this recipe 3 times with your mom and Oma to catch all those little points that make all the difference in the outcome. My mom made these cookies every Christmas. As a child I didn’t care for the nut flavor but as I grew that changed. My girlfriends loved my mom’s hazelnut macaroons. But as many young people our lives get so busy we don’t take the time to bake with our mom to catch all the secrets and one day mom is no longer with us. I have mom’s recipes and vague memories, but your notes will allow me success with fewer failures. I am looking forward to making these again and surprising my high school girlfriends with a special treat the next time we get together.

    1. Oh Krista this makes me so happy to hear! I so hope you and your high school girlfriends enjoy the memories, and the cookies! Happy baking.

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