The Best Macarons (Paris, NYC & More)

Published on March 6th, 2023
Updated on April 12th, 2024

THE MOST LEGENDARY FRENCH MACARON COOKIES YOU MUST TRY

Laduree Gourmandise Macarons — Ladurée Paris Macarons

Macrons are petit, colorful French meringue sandwich cookies. Recognizable for their smooth top and ruffled “foot,” macarons (pronounced mac-ah-ROHN) are made in many colors. These cute and round cookies come in a variety of flavors like chocolate, pistachio, and raspberry.

Macarons have become ubiquitous at bakeries, confectioners, sweet shops, and restaurants around the world. Therefore, you might wonder which brand is famous for macarons? There are several famous macaron makers.

Macarons are not to be confused with macaroons, which are dense coconut cookies. They have similar ingredients but a totally different look and taste. Macarons are made from whipped egg whites, almond flour, sugar, and vanilla. These light and airy cookies are gluten-free and kosher.

Read More: Macaroon vs Macaron

Different Macaron Flavors

Macarons weren’t always French sandwich cookies. The Italians invented the macaron cookie, but it was the French who transformed the almond cookie into an iconic French sandwich cookie. Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines invented the modern-day macaron in 1930.

The first modern macaron is similar to today’s macaron. The original macaron was two shells made of almond flour. It was held together with a creamy ganache filling. Today, macarons come in all shades of color. They are filled with buttercream, ganache, or jam.

There are many different kinds of macaron flavor and filling combinations. The flavor options are only limited by imagination. Famed French patisserie Ladurée has created more than 200 flavors, including

Blackcurrant violet
Caramel
Chocolate
Coffee
Lemon
Passion fruit
Pistachio
Raspberry
Rose
Vanilla

We have searched worldwide and sampled the best macarons. Here’s our favorite classic and gourmet French macarons.

What are the Best Macarons?

We have searched worldwide and sampled the best macarons. Here’s our favorite classic and creative French cookies.

Best Gourmet Macarons: La Fournette

Chicago’s La Fournette makes traditional macarons, but their creative flavors aren’t to be missed. Pierre Zimmerman and his team handcraft artisanal macarons in inventive flavors inspired by cocktails like the mojito, Moscow mule, and piña colada.

The OG Modern Macarons: Ladurée

Ladurée‘s macarons are recognizable before you even open the box. Ladurée are inventors of the modern macaron. They elevated the cookie in the 19th century into a double-decker sandwich cookie held together with sweet fillings.

The luxury French shop perfectly packages their cookies in beautiful pastel gift boxes. Are Ladurée the best macarons? We’ll let you be the judge.

Best Flavored Macarons: Bouchon Bakery

Award-winning American chef Thomas Keller opened Bouchon Bakery to provide two of his Michelin-starred restaurants with one-of-a-kind breads. In addition to artisanal breads and classic desserts, the French bakery makes classic French macarons in chocolate, pistachio, raspberry, and vanilla. Skip the lines and get traditional macarons delivered.

Super Cute Macarons: Sucré

Destination dessert shop Sucré makes super cute versions of classic macarons. They also add Southern flair shipping the colorful cookies with pecan praline coffee. Owner Ayesha Motwani and Executive Pastry Chef Ashley McMillan hand make traditional and unique macaron flavors. Cookie flavors include vanilla and chocolate plus New Orleans-inspired flavors like café au lait and blackberry honey.

Devine Macarons: Daniel Boulud

Award-winning and Michelin-starred French Chef Daniel Boulud makes some of the most elegant and delicate French macarons. His 12-piece Macaron Gift Box features one dozen seasonally-changing creations in flavors like pistachio, coffee, raspberry, and chocolate.

Creative Macarons: Sift Dessert Bar

Frosting-obsessed Sift Dessert Bar founder Andrea Ballus makes mouth watering cupcakes and equally over-the-top macarons. Festive and fun flavors like Churro, Salted Caramel, and Birthday Cake with vanilla and raspberry filling make ordinary macarons extraordinary. The San Francisco sweet shop’s seasonally changing Macaron Gift Box is a treat for your taste buds and taste buddies.

Cheesy Macarons: Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate

The luxury chocolatier — a collaboration of two Michelin-starred Gabriel Kreuther and acclaimed pastry chef and Master Chocolatier Marc Aumont — whips up ah-mazing cheesecake macarons. Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate’s macaron rounds are sandwiched with cream cheese, cleverly combining New York-style cheesecake with classic French macarons. Fun flavors include chocolate with hazelnut spread, mango passionfruit, and mixed berry. Their Cheesecake Macarons 12-Pack includes Mandarin orange, pistachio, coffee, and original cheesecake.

When it comes to classic French cookies, don’t macaron choice. Ship sensational sweets like petit and colorful French macarons (and their coconut cousin, macaroons!) to your sweetie, coworkers, food explorers, and yourself nationwide on Goldbelly!

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