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A Christmas Tree of Macarons

Submitted by on December 3, 2013 – 8:23 amNo Comment

northcarolina_charlotte_RCmacaronHere’s something you probably won’t want to try at home, Road Trips Foodies, since it’ll take more than 10,000 egg whites and 114 cups of two types of sugar.

This Christmas tree (pictured at left) at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 201 East Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, is fashioned from about 8,000 colorfully sweet French macarons.

The whimsical eight-foot tree was completed following an intense 58-hour assembly marathon conducted by the hotel’s pastry team.

Said to be the first-ever of its size and type, the bright red and green Macaron Holiday Tree will be on display in the hotel lobby through December 29, 2013, and will be complemented by the display of an all-sugar, candy cane-red showpiece sleigh (pictured below, right), pulled by a team of all-chocolate reindeer.northcarolina_charlotte_RCsleigh

A six-month planning process was needed to determine quantities and ingredients for extravagant decoration. Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage and Culinary, Jon Farace, led the charge to bring the edible design’s culinary artistry to life. Accentuating the creative challenge, added sweet mini-bites had to be nestled into the center of each specialty macaron which forms a decorative garland encircling the life-size tree.

Different from American macaroon cookies, French macarons are meringue-based and feature a slightly crunchy, vibrantly-hued smooth, round exterior. Macarons are made with almond flour, egg whites and sugar and are often filled with a flavorful sweet center.

The macaron holiday tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte was created with:
10,008 egg whites
57 cups of powdered sugar
57 cups of sugar
57 cups of almond flour
15 cups of water

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte’s holiday decor complements a colorful showcase of seasonal confections, sweets and pastries offered at Bar Cocoa dessert boutique, as well as a series of Holiday Afternoon Teas, offered by the hotel December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2013. Adding to the festivities, Bar Cocoa’s Cocoa Lab kitchen also hosts holiday cookie-making classes on multiple dates in December.

Good to know: holiday events are available to the public as well as hotel guests.

(Photos courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte)

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