What do you buy for a special occasion that calls for something sweet and appetizing? An often-overlooked gem in the dessert department we’d like to talk about today is a French pastry called the macaron. Before we start, it is important to note that French macarons are not the same thing as a macaroon – the chewy, shredded coconut creation sometimes dipped in chocolate that you generally find at the typical American bakery.
French macarons are light, airy, sandwich-like sweets that nearly melt in your mouth. They are generally filled with jam, ganache or butter cream, and come in a delightful assortment of colors and flavors. The pastries are also lighter on the sweetness side, and should deliver a taste bud experience that concentrates on flavor, which is one of the primary draws of the pastry.
French Macarons Make Ideal Gifts for…
French macarons make a colorfully sweet gift idea for much more than a foodie, and can be used to celebrate Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, birthdays, employee appreciation, or a retirement. Consider choosing these edible delights for creative out-of-state gift-giving, as a ‘get well soon’ gesture, or even to say ‘I’m sorry.” Also, the majority of French macarons also satisfies a gluten-free diet.
Where Can I Buy Macarons?
One of the first things to do when buying macarons as a gift is to do a quick search of French bakeries or restaurants located in your own backyard. Next, seek out specialty bakeries in your area that advertise a ‘gourmet’ selection. If neither one of these options work, you can always order your macarons from a bakery that delivers regionally or nationwide. When ordering macarons, keep in mind that freshness is key; therefore, opt for bakeries situated closest to where you live.
A few options to consider:
Kiss my Cake Dessert Shoppe & Café
Location: Huntington Village, NY
In addition to offering an assortment of Flavors of the Month, Kiss my Cake ships a fun variety of French macarons that includes the Floral Collection (Rose Raspberry, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, and Chocolate Orange Blossom), Coffee Break Collection (Espresso, Mocha, Tiramisu, and Café Vienna), and Tea Time Collection (White Ayurvedic Chai, Green Passion, Ambassador’s Earl Grey, and Jasmine). If you prefer to select a 12-pack of just one flavor, available options include: Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Pistachio, Sea Salt Chocolate, Rainbow, and Salted Caramel Crème.
L’ Artisan Macaron
Location: San Francisco, California
Made with all-natural, premium ingredients, cage free eggs and no preservatives, L’ Artisan Macaron does not use anything artificial to make these treats. Choose from an 8-, 24- or 49-count box of macaroons, or select the ‘Blue Box’ for an extra special occasion. To ensure freshness, customers who order outside of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon will have their macarons shipped UPS Next Day & 2nd Day. Flavors include Mango, Tiramisu, Green Tea, Chocolate Mint, Rose, Hawaiian Kona Coffee, Orange, Lemon, and Pistachio.
Macaron Manifique
Location: Northvale, New Jersey
One of the cool things about ordering from Macaron Manifique is the ability to not only gift an assortment of French macarons (which include flavors like Coffee, Cheesecake, Raspberry, and Pistachio), but to also include customization as seen below, including your choice of color and design. They ship within three business days to anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Laduree
Location: New York City & Miami
Although they do not deliver, it’s worth mentioning the gourmet selection offered at Laduree, which has three trendy boutique shops in New York and Florida. Not only a visual treat, but the flavors are also quite entertaining – like Green Apple, Strawberry and Mint, Coconut, and Salty Caramel.
Dean & Deluca
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Known for selling a delicious selection of gourmet food, Dean & Deluca‘s ganache-filled treats are shipped Next-Day from their Beverly Hills kitchen. An order includes four of each flavor: Pineapple, Raspberry, Lemon, Passion Fruit, Violet Cassis, and Lychee.
What do you think of French macarons? Have you ever tried them before?