Meet your next favorite dessert cookie made with a delicate crust and a delectable filling… The macaron.
They say French cuisine is one of the best in the world. While others can debate as much as they want on which country has the best cooking, there is no arguing that the French got it right when it comes to desserts… Especially macarons. Foodies can’t get enough of this sweet treat that according to Complete France, the French macaron is the most Instagrammed food in Europe. Go figure! Macaron cookies look so chic and delicious, and are no doubt worthy of the ‘gram.
So what exactly is a macaron? Pronounced as mah-kah-rohn, this sugary snack consists of a smooth filling sandwiched in between two crispy cookies. The outside layer, called the macaron shell, is made of almond flour, egg whites and sugar, making them fragile and a nightmare to bake for first-timers. When baked right, they should be airy yet chewy, not tough and cakey. Bakers can be as creative as they want with the filling, ranging from fruit jams, buttercream to chocolate frosting. Yum!
The macaron cookies first brought sweet joy and happiness in the 1500’s among the French nobility. Until the early 1700’s, it was enjoyed exclusively by royalty, being served in castle courts and celebrations amongst kings, queens, dukes and duchesses. Thankfully, two heaven-sent nuns (no pun intended) started selling macarons during the French Revolution in 1792; these women are now popularly known as the “macaron sisters”. However, their first version of the French macaron was only the macaron shell itself, without any special flavors or fillings. It wasn’t until the 1830’s that they toyed with the idea of creating a dessert sandwich with different flavor profiles.
The dessert we now know and revel in today was concocted in the 1900’s by Pierre Desfontaines of the top French bakery Ladurée. His version included the ganache filling in between two meringue cookies of varying tastes and colors. The French macaron then made its way across the pond and into the United States where it eventually gained global recognition. Currently, many bakeries all over the world create their own renditions of the macaron dessert, still honoring the tried and tested formula of cookie + filling + cookie.
For a macaron cookie to be considered amazing, the cookie-to-filling ratio must be balanced - not too much or too little of either component. The outside texture of the macaron shell must be smooth, shiny and free of any bumps. While it is important for the shell to be light, it mustn’t be hollow or else the whole cookie will cave in and crumble. Last but not the least, there should be the right amount of sugar, enough to delight the senses and not overpower the other ingredients.
Some of the most popular flavors of macaron cookies are vanilla, cream cheese and strawberry; but in Macaron Zone, we take it to the next level by using exotic and tropical fruits that are to die for! Satisfy your dessert craving and order a French macaron now, and we will deliver straight to your doorstep. Check out the Macaron Zone Shop and get your macaron fix today.
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