It's the question we hear more than any other at our counters: "Is it macaron or macaroon?" The short answer is that they're two different cookies with very similar names, and you'll hear people use both words for each.
What is a French macaron?
A French macaron (mah-kah-ROHN) is a small sandwich cookie made from almond flour, egg whites and sugar. The two shells are crisp on the outside and soft and chewy inside, with a filling of ganache, buttercream or jam in the middle. Macarons come in every color and flavor you can imagine, which is what makes them such a beautiful gift.
What is a macaroon?
A coconut macaroon (mack-uh-ROON) is a dense, chewy mound made mostly of shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk and egg whites, often dipped in chocolate. It's a classic American treat, especially popular around Passover, and it looks and tastes completely different from a French macaron.
The key differences
- Main ingredient: macarons are made with almond flour; macaroons are made with coconut.
- Texture: macarons are light, with a crisp shell and a soft center; macaroons are dense and chewy.
- Look: macarons are smooth, colorful sandwich cookies; macaroons are golden, craggy mounds.
- Filling: macarons always have one; macaroons don't.
So why the mix-up?
Both cookies come from the same Italian root word, maccarone, and English speakers often add an extra "o" to French words, the same way "balon" became "balloon." That's why you'll still see "macaroons" on plenty of menus selling French macarons. Whichever word you use, we'll know exactly what you mean.
Try them for yourself
At Olivia Macaron, we make French macarons by hand in small batches in our own kitchen in Fairfax, Virginia. Start with our signature flavors like Salted Caramel, Pistachio and Red Velvet, or try something seasonal from our seasonal collection. All of our macarons are gluten-free, and we ship fresh nationwide.
Want to taste a few side by side? Build your own gift box, or visit us at Union Market in Washington, DC or Tysons Corner Center in Virginia.