Macarons are notoriously finicky. One wrong move and you’ve got cracked shells, uneven feet, or a gooey mess. Now imagine tackling these delicate French cookies under the pressure of a baking competition, and oh yeah, you’re also, like, twelve. That’s the challenge facing the young contestants on the next Kids Baking Championship.
This week, hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown unleash the “Macaronimals” challenge, forcing these pint-sized pastry prodigies to not only conquer the macaron but also sculpt them into recognizable animal forms. Because apparently, nailing the perfect almond meringue ratio wasn’t enough of a hurdle.
To give the kids a fighting chance, Duff will offer a quick demo on achieving that smooth, glossy macaron batter. But let’s be real, even with guidance, these kids are in for a bumpy ride. As if the macarons themselves weren’t enough, the bakers must also construct an edible habitat for their “Macaronimals” to reside in. One can only imagine the sugar-fueled chaos about to ensue. Will we see a panda munching on bamboo fashioned from spun sugar? A lion lounging in a caramel savanna? The possibilities are as endless as the potential for disaster.
This episode will likely determine which bakers possess the steady hand and creative vision to survive another week. And while the prize package is certainly sweet – Food Network bakeware, a magazine profile, a cake displayed at Charm City Cakes, and a cool $10,000 – the real reward is witnessing these kids tackle a culinary Everest, one tiny, temperamental cookie at a time.
Tune in to witness the “Macaronimals” mayhem unfold on Food Network, Monday, January 13, 2025, at 8:00 PM.