I didn’t understand the ‘macaron craze’ for a very long time – didn’t quite get the obsession of a baked meringue cookie with, what I thought, was a filling similar to an oreo cookie. Then a few years ago on our way home from a trip to Italy, we traveled through the Charles de Gaulle airport and I found myself staring at the beautiful packages of Lauderee macarons; we bought a box for ourselves as well as a box for my sister-in-law’s birthday. One bite on the plane was all it took and suddenly, I understood. Brulee-crisp outer shell yields to an ever-so-tender and airy cookie, sandwiched together with nearly every conceivable filling one can imagine: chocolate ganache, caramel, jam, melon, citrus, nuts, herbs – it truly was a life-changing experience.
For Christmas this year, that same sister-in-law gave me a box of macarons from a bakery in the Cincinnati area – Macaron Bar; a brand new bakery located in the Over the Rhine neighborhood. The space is cheery and bright, they offer pour-over coffee and an assortment of teas – as well as French-style macaron classes. The Professor signed us up and two days after Christmas we both had our aprons wrapped around our waists and we made our first-ever French-style macarons; suffice it to say, there will be more macarons in our future.
If you live in the area, we highly recommend stopping by for macarons and a cup of coffee or tea – you might even want to sign up for a class.
What fun! I love making macarons, watching them nervously through the oven window to see if they rise without splitting, see if they form the feet. I love eating them if they are not too sweet (I find LadurĂ©e too sweet and buy mine – if I buy them – from a local pastry and chocolate chef. Congratulations on your class (I bet it was great fun) and your macs are gorgeous!
I recently re-discovered macarons, as well… They are so much fun, aren’t they? Well, they are fun when they turn out well. LOL! I had tried them repeatedly a few years ago with no luck, but I finally had some success this past fall (with thanks to Mardi from eat. live. travel. write.), and now I’m hooked!
Love all of the photos!
Jen – I’ve wanted to tackle macarons for years and years but have been too afraid – as you said, ‘I’m hooked!’ (((hugs)))
You guys!!! They ARE addictive (both in terms of eating and making them!). I picked up a pretty box on my way through CDG on Saturday too. About to enjoy one now đŸ™‚ Bonne annĂ©e!
Mardi – i thought of you the entire class!!!! i was soooooo excited to finally take the macaron challenge; there will be more macarons in 2015! xo