What Are Macarons?

Macarons are like the Skittles of the cookie kingdom, available in a plethora of colors and flavors, and often no bigger than a half dollar (though considerably more expensive!). But what are macarons? Today, we’ll be taking a close look at this unique type of cookie. Let’s talk about macarons, before they all get eaten up!

What are macarons made of?

Macarons are delicate, round French meringue cookies that are primarily made with almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and whatever is necessary to get the desired flavors for your respective batch, such as chocolate, vanilla, or any of the other avenues in the vast cornucopia of the flavor-verse. They are typically made into little cookie sandwiches with flavored creme, chocolate ganache, jam, or marzipan in between two macaron discs. 

What do macarons taste like?

Macarons generally taste like whatever they’re flavored to taste like, but the base cookies are sweet and a little nutty. But the real appeal of macaron cookies is the texture. Thanks to the egg whites and almond flour, macarons are light and uniquely chewy—like a soft meringue. 

Are macarons French?

Not to throw you for a loop, but macarons are not necessarily French! Even though macarons are most closely associated with French baking, they may not have originated in France. According to Britannica, macarons were first created in Italy in the late 1400s. Specifically, they were baked in Venetian monasteries.

The cookies didn’t make their way to France until the early 16th century when Catherine de’ Medici married the future King Henry II. Her chefs introduced the cookies to the French aristocracy. Cut to the French Revolution when two nuns started selling macarons to the general public to make ends meet after their convent was closed. Their bakery, Maison des Soeurs Macarons, is still open today in Nancy, France. Sacre bleu! Or, well, maybe “mamma mia!” might be the more appropriate interjection? Either way, it isn’t what we were expecting! 

Are macarons gluten free?

Yes, macarons are gluten free traditionally since they’re made with almond flour rather than wheat flour. But if your allergies are severe, it’s best to make sure before purchasing.

Do macarons need to be refrigerated? 

Macarons should be refrigerated if you want them to remain really fresh (and why wouldn’t you?). They keep for a full week at room temperature, but will stay fresh for up to seven weeks in the fridge, which is way longer than necessary, because you’ll finish them by week three at the latest. 

Why are macarons so expensive?

Inflation, man! Just kidding. Macarons are expensive due to their exhaustive preparation, the high-quality ingredients necessary to make them correctly, and the fact that many of them contain a solid platinum center (just kidding again). Simply put: Macarons are tough to make. They take skill and they take time. And, as we know, time is money. 

How to pronounce macarons? 

If you’re pronouncing macarons correctly in the American fashion, macarons is pronounced “ma-ka-raanz.” If you want to pronounce it all fancy in French, macarons is pronounced “ma-ka-ron.” The “s” is silent and you have to do that back of the throat “r” noise.