Macarons: On-Trend — The Glenny Girl

“A cupcake comforts. A macaron teases.”

— Ligaya Mishan, NEW YORK TIMES, writer

This weekend is your chance to indulge in a picture perfect dessert, a finger food that is quintessentially French and timeless. The macaron is a worldwide sensation that has a local holiday: Macaron Day Louisville, Saturday March 17, 2018. Simply mention Macaron Day at the local bakeries participating for a free macaron, while supplies last.

The tradition of Macaron Day started in Paris in 2005, moved to New York City in 2010 and the international event continues to add cities and contributes to local charities. This year, the second annual year of Macaron Day Louisville, local bakeries are benefiting Dare To Care Food Bank as the chosen Louisville charity.

A dazzling assortment of iridescent colors all packaged pretty in a box and traditionally wrapped in ribbon, macarons are what dreams are made of. Focused on detail over density, this European dessert originally intended to add value to the afternoon tea menu. A sweet meringue that masters being crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. These bite size wonders are even gluten free. Today the macaron is part of the menu in many French McDonalds. It remains fresh and relevant standing the test of time. Whole Foods has seen an increase in their sales of macarons by 40% over the past few years, and these bite size wonders are argued by many food critics as replacing the cupcake.

““Dainty, nearly weightless, it leaves you hungrier than you were before. It is but a prelude to other pleasures. Your slacker boyfriend gives you a cupcake; your lover gives you macarons.””

— Ligaya Misha, NEW YORK TIMES, writer

The cupcake craze hit mid-90’s in a Season 3 episode of Sex and the City placing Carrie and Miranda on a park bench in the West Village gossiping about their love interest while devouring Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes. A trend was born and exploded for Magnolia Bakery. You could call cupcakes the daytime cosmopolitan for these gal pals, hence for gal pals everywhere. What began as an afterthought for the famous Magnolia Bakery in NYC, became a permanent staple to their menu. When buying a cupcake gave an emotional appeal, inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker and her Sex and the City friends, times have changed. With time comes new trends.

Season 4 of Gossip Girl featured Blair Waldorf holding a beautiful box of Ladurée macaroons she snacks on in the bathtub, and again macaroons are universally chic. Kirsten Dunst temps the audience with beautiful macaroons in the movie Marie Antoinette based in the 18th century as the macarons served as an inspiration for the films costumes. London Times Magazine wrote, “At the start of pre-production, [director Sophia] Coppola handed [costume designer] Milena Canonero a box of pastel-coloured macaroons from the Ladurée pastry house. ‘She told me, “These are the colours I love”,’ recalls Canonero. ‘I used them as a palette.’”

Let macarons inspire you this Saturday when you visit Louisville’s participating bakeries to celebrate #macarondaylouisville in style.