RSS
Home
Macaroons vs. macarons: what's the difference?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Macaroons, macarons, what's the difference? One little letter? No, much more.
Both cookies are gluten-free, good news for those with food allergies. Both also have egg whites. Though french-style macarons are often referred to as macaroons, this is an error--don't embarrass yourself and learn the difference.
Macarons are a french cookie made of almond flour, sugar and egg whites. The macarons have a taste and consistency similar to meringues, with a crunchy exterior and a airy, ethereal taste on the inside. Macarons are sandwiched together with a creamy filling that's usually made from ganache, jam or buttercream.
Paulette 437 Hayes St / 415-864-2400
San Francisco's most popular macarons are found at Paulette, the expansion of a Beverly Hills-based macaron bakery. Paulette offers twelve flavors plus one to two seasonal offerings, and fill their most of macarons with ganache, except for the caramel flavor. More on Paulette's brightly-hued macarons, including flavors and prices, can be found in their Examiner profile.
Miette 1 Ferry Building & other / 415-837-0300
Miette's are made with nut flour ground from skin-on almonds, giving them a slightly grittier and more texture. Miette uses buttercreams paired to match the seasons in flavors like grapefruit, lavender and rose geranium. Their macarons are chewy and smaller than the Paulette versions. Miette's macarons can be found at any of their locations.
Macaroons are a coconut-based cookie made of egg whites, sugar and shredded coconut. While macaroons are simple, it's a challenge to find well-executed coconut macaroons. These three are the best I've found so far.
Ici 2948 College Ave / 510-665-6054
Over in Berkeley, Ici's coconut macaroons are baked extra-long, so the interior is crispy and the macaroon shatters in your mouth. It's an interesting variation from the chewy coconut macaroons most people think of and one that's worth crossing the bay for.
Hot Cookie 407 Castro St / 415- 621-2350
At Hot Cookie in the Castro, the coconut macaroons are large and flavorful. These ones are baked to a golden color and are soft on the inside. While Hot Cookie's signature cookies are often raw in the center, the macaroons are fully cooked and delicious to boot.
Hot Cookie also offers chocolate-covered penis shaped macaroons, useful to keep in mind for gag gifts or bachelor parties.
Thorough Bread & Pastry 248 Church St / 415-558-0690
Thorough Bread & Pastry is a bakery operated by the San Francisco Baking Institute that gives students a chance to learn about the business part of baking along with the cooking skills. Thorough Bread's coconut macaroons are moist inside and nicely browned, and come dipped in chocolate.
Thorough Bread has just started making french macarons; with any luck, they'll be as flavorful as the coconut macaroons.
Related Articles:
Comments
