Duo Does Dangerously Delicious Macarons at Illegal Bakery

Photo by Robert Parente
Baked macaroons are filled with buttercream; marshmallow fluff or mascarpone for tiramisu. The perfect macaron, she says, is not overly sweet, crunches when you bite into it and is soft in the middle.
Photo by Robert Parente
Photo by Robert Parente
Photo by Robert Parente
Photo by Robert Parente
SWEET ON EACH OTHER: Mikey Mayta and Keily Vasquez, are a couple as well as partners in Illegal Bakery.
Photo by Robert Parente
[1] Vasquez starts by beating egg whites for the meringue, which then gets a heated sugar syrup.
Photo by Robert Parente
[2] The mixture is combined with food color, almond flour, powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
Photo by Robert Parente
[3] The batter is carefully piped on a silicone mat.
Photo by Robert Parente
[4] The batter is then let to dry before baking to avoid cracking.
Photo by Robert Parente
[5] Mayta fills macarons with ice cream for sandwiches.