Apparently today is National Macaroon Day. Happy National Macaroon Day! I wanted to be in the mood for them, but wasn't so I made something else.
But if you are up for some macaroons, here are two of my favorite recipes. Both are for the big, chewy-style macaroons as opposed to the pretty, delicate French sandwich cookie type which I just realized I've never tried. I've seen them at bakeries, but was always worried they looked better than they tasted and spent my calories on something else. I guess my next goal in life is to try a French Macaroon.
These are the ones I have tried and liked.
Cooking Light's Chewy Chocolate Macaroons are delicious and don't taste like a reduced fat dessert. Then again, I make them with regular condensed milk rather than the fat free or reduced fat kind, so I supposed they aren't. Mmmmmm. Thinking about them is sort of putting me in a macaroon mood. Too bad I already ate.
Ina Garten's Macaroons are my other favorite and the recipe is simple.
Someday I'm going to make the fancy once. If you feel like taking on the challenge, Martha Stewart's Parisian Macaroons received a good review from one person.
Martha says
I can't believe I missed National Macaroon Day!
I love coconut macaroons, especially Ina's version. However, I can't say the same for French macarons. I had my first one at one of the fancy pastry shops in Paris (Laduree, I think) and found it way too sweet.
Call me unsophisticated, but give me a good old coconut macaroon any day!
charmy says
By the sounds of it, K, you've tried the same thing as a French Macaron.
Which, by the way, is NOTHING like a Macaroon!
Anna, I can't believe the Cookie Madness woman herself has never made French Macarons!!!! This is a MUST for every baker!
K. says
Hey, I've never commented before but I love your site.
I never tried a French macaroon until I came to Japan, where they are ubiquitous. I can't be sure if the Japanese version ("makaron", from the French "macaron") is any different from the French original, but they are absolutely incredible. You bite into them and it's like there's a delicate shell, followed by airy bliss, followed by the chewy core of the cookie, followed by the icing. I guess what I'm trying to say is, do try them if you have the opportunity. The ones I've had are even BETTER than they look.
Thanks again for all of your interesting, informative, and delicious-looking posts!
K.
Louise says
Uh Oh, I missed Macaroon Day. Which one to try? I'll save them all! Thanks for sharing, Anna...
Elyse says
Happy National Macaroon Day! I will definitely check out these recipes!
CindyD says
Hey, did you see Baking Bite's post about macarones in Paris? She also has a recipe for Nutella ones!
Katrina says
I love the macaroons as you and I know them. Ina's are one of my favorites, too. I've never had the French ones, either.
Louise says
I made these Orange Macaroons this past Christmas and they turned out great. http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/orange-macaroons?autonomy_kw=orange%20macaroons&rsc=header_1