Mad about Macarons

Easy French Recipes with a Taste of Paris

What’s cooking in December? Find many more easy bakes in the index & in my books!

Jill Colonna

French Apple Nougat Tart

11 Comments

December 9, 2019

Sweet almond pastry with chunks of seared apples tossed in vanilla and topped with crunchy almonds - it's a showstopper for a festive dessert!

Jill Colonna

Quick French Apple Tart with Calvados Cream

18 Comments

November 14, 2019

This dessert is almost cheating! Made in 20 minutes using 2 Granny Smiths, ready-made butter puff pastry, honey, almonds, butter and Calvados. A veritable French fall recipe...

Jill Colonna

Montmartre Chocolate Pastry Walk

14 Comments

October 19, 2019

Join me for an autumnal online stroll on my self-guided Montmartre walk - with less tourists. Taste the artistic ambience, macarons, madeleines - and perhaps leave 'Absinthe'-minded!

Jill Colonna

Pear Belle Helene - A Parisian Musical Story

14 Comments

March 2, 2019

When music and dessert are pear-fect partners: this classic Parisian dessert was created by a famous French chef, inspired by a French soprano's voice singing Offenbach in Paris

Jill Colonna

Cranachan Parfait - An Iced Scottish Dessert on Shortbread

10 Comments

January 20, 2019

My French twist to the classic Scottish dessert: an iced honey & Whisky cream with a crunchy buttery oat praline.

Jill Colonna

Smoked Tea Beurre Blanc Salmon

8 Comments

January 12, 2019

A French-Scottish alliance for St Andrew's (30 Nov) or Burn's Night - with my smoked twist to the classic beurre blanc sauce using a simple Lapsang Souchong teabag. It's so easy and a chic way of serving salmon.

Jill Colonna @Mad About Macarons

Melting Meringue Snowballs

14 Comments

December 16, 2018

French meringues generously filled with hazelnut praline, lemon jelly, vanilla cream and candied chestnut for a light, festive dessert that's just waiting for you to 'throw' a party!

Jill Colonna

Butternut Walnut Gratin - Playing Winter Squash

10 Comments

December 4, 2018

Our comforting way of playing squash in Autumn and Winter! Delicious veggies with toasted walnuts for the crunch that cling to a layer of melted cheese.

Jill Colonna

Gratin Dauphinois - French Creamy Potato Bake

8 Comments

November 15, 2018

One of the easiest French classic comfort foods, adding a truffle of luxury for special occasions - or a new smoky discovery I've made recently that takes this to another level.

Jill Colonna

Pumpkin Pecan Chestnut Flour Tart

4 Comments

November 12, 2018

Inspired by Autumn in Paris, enjoy this lush French tart: perfect as a vegetarian alternative for Thanksgiving or Christmas - or just a family treat to fall for!

French Crème Caramel

16 Comments

May 4, 2018

The favourite classic on many Parisian restaurant menus - yet so easy to make at home. This one is so melt-in-the-mouth light!

Savoury Cheesy Red Onion Pepper Cornbread

18 Comments

March 6, 2018

If you like Cheese Scones, then you'll love this savoury Cornbread, a handy quick bread recipe without the sugar. A festive side to a Thanksgiving table too!

Christmas Oat Granola - A Healthy Festive Breakfast

6 Comments

December 9, 2017

Go nuts! Treat yourself with this luxury granola: festive warming spices, orange & maple - and no added sugar!

Jill Colonna

Putting on The Ritz - Paris Teatime

11 Comments

December 6, 2017

For the ultimate luxury Parisian afternoon, let's head to Proust's room for a French Afternoon Tea and experience his famous Madeleines by his favourite fireplace.

Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

5 Comments

November 4, 2017

The best, healthy & edible decorations for your Autumn table - deliciously easy, ready in 30 minutes and perfect for advance party prep.

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Recipes from the Pantry

Quick & healthy with a few clever ingredients in store – some now on video too!

Jill Colonna

Mint Omelette - Corsican Style

17 Comments

July 23, 2020

Got mint & eggs? Enjoy this refreshing, authentic omelette from my husband's 'Island of Beauty' - and tips on what makes a Corsican omelette different to a French one. Now also on video.

Jill Colonna

Palets Bretons: French Salted Butter Biscuits

10 Comments

April 11, 2020

Now updated with accompanying step-by-step VIDEO to show how easy these treats are: irresistible salty-sweet biscuits from Brittany, enjoyed plain or dressed up to tea party.

Jill Colonna

Fluffy Cheese Scones

18 Comments

March 28, 2020

How to make the lightest, high-rise cheesy scones in 40 minutes using only one egg. Suddenly teatime at home is very civilised. Now on VIDEO!

Jill Colonna

Quick Almond Milk Rice Pudding

10 Comments

March 21, 2020

A satisfying, healthy recipe for French riz au lait, using long-life cupboard ingredients. Creamy, delicious - yet gluten free and vegan. Made in just 35 minutes!

Jill Colonna

Luxury Chocolate Coconut Granola (Vegan)

10 Comments

January 31, 2020

A luxury way to start your day - Now on VIDEO. Give yourself a healthy breakfast boost with no added sugar - just natural, delicious ingredients. It's vegan, gluten free but comes with a warning: once you make this you'll need a constant supply of it!

Jill Colonna

Reine de Saba Chocolate Almond Cake

14 Comments

December 18, 2019

Can you 'Handel' another French cake? Welcome the arrival of the Queen of Sheba glazed with rum! It's gluten-free which could also be music to your ears...

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain Almond Cake

24 Comments

June 14, 2019

Created in the royal market town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye outside Paris in 1920. This delicious almond and rum glazed tart is so easy and a real crowd-pleaser.

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Hazelnut Pear Crumble

20 Comments

March 16, 2019

Comfort food dessert at its best - with a healthy dose of bittersweet chocolate that melts into the vanilla fruit, topped with oats.

Jill Colonna

Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding

15 Comments

February 20, 2019

Ideas for dates at home! Up close with the most lush, dark, comfort-food classic dessert with apple - seeing blurry? Looking for a spoon? You may have sticky toffee pudding syndrome. Check it out NOW...