Why Are French Macarons So Expensive? (2024)

The short answer: Blame the high-end ingredients and necessary baking expertise. We asked Test Kitchen pro Josh Rink to explain.

You can find macarons everywhere, from an upscale bakery to the freezer aisle at Trader Joe’s. There may be no other treat that comes in as many flavors, from vanilla and raspberry to orange blossom and mojito. Don’t confuse them with Macaroons, as they are two different bakery items. These Oreo-sized treats cost three times as much as anything else at the bakery.

Why are macarons so expensive? Here’s what you’re getting for your money.

Macaron Ingredients Are Expensive

Unlike most bakery treats, macarons are not made with all-purpose wheat flour, which even a home cook can pick up at the supermarket for less than 50 cents a pound. Instead, they’re made with almond flour, which costs more than nine times as much—and that’s at Costco.

“Finely ground almond flour gives structure, texture and mild flavor to macaron shells,” says Taste of Home food stylist Josh Rink. “Macarons are meringue-based confections.”

“They’re prized for their combination of textures: lightly crunchy exterior, chewy center and creamy filling,” Josh adds. Trying to make them with a less-expensive ingredient like all-purpose flour would change the texture. The result would not be a true macaron. We’ve found the best Trader Joe’s macarons for you.

Here’s the difference between macaroons vs. macarons.

Making Macarons Takes Time and Patience

You could make 10 other types of cookies in the time it takes to make macarons. OK, maybe we’re exaggerating a bit. But here’s the deal.

“Macarons are certainly more ‘hands-on’ than traditional chocolate chip cookies and have a number of steps—like sifting, whipping, folding and piping,” Josh says.

After making the batter, the baker transfers it into a piping bag. If you’ve ever piped frosting, you know using a piping bag takes a while to get the hang of everything from filling it without air bubbles to squeezing it with just the right amount of pressure.

The process takes a lot more skill than using a cookie dough scoop. You have to hold the piping bag above the parchment paper at the correct height, squeeze out the right amount of batter, stop squeezing the bag, then twist and lift it to make each macaron shell the right thickness.

After tapping out or popping any air bubbles, the macaron shells have to sit at room temperature until they form a skin. Then they get baked and completely cooled. After baking, the shells have to be paired to match each other in size as closely as possible.

Even after all the components are made, they still have to be filled and assembled!

Half of each pair then gets flipped upside down to be filled—which requires another round of piping. You need just the right amount of filling, the thickness of one shell. Too much and it will ooze out the sides.

Finally, the macarons go into the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours to mature and allow the filling to soften the shells.

“I’d never suggest making macarons when you’re feeling impatient,” Josh says.

Our Recipes for French Cookies

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PalmiersIt takes just two ingredients to make these impressive but easy-to-do French pastries, which are often called palm leaves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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French MacaronsEven decorated simply—a sprinkle of sugar, a drizzle of icing—these stylish beauties are part of our creative Christmas cookies collection. They will be the showstoppers on any cookie tray. —Josh Rink, Photo Stylist Taste of Home. Find out why macarons are so expensive.

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Taste of Home

Chocolate-Tipped Butter CookiesThese wonderfully moist morsels are too tempting to resist. They melt right in your mouth. Rather than sprinkling the chocolate tips with nuts, you can roll them in red and green jimmies or leave them plain. —Charolette Westfall, Houston, Texas

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Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue RosesEat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California

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Lemon Tea CookiesThese sandwich cookies taste rich and buttery and have a lovely lemon filling. The recipe has been in our family since the 1950s, when my mother got it from a French friend in her club. —Phyllis Dietz, Westland, Michigan

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Taste of Home

Cinnamon Roll MacaronsThese macarons are a fall and winter staple for me. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and can be eaten as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would work well with this—including custard, mousse, ganache or other buttercream. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California

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Meringue KissesThere's a nice chocolaty surprise inside these sweet kisses. They're my husband's top choice each Christmas.—Tami Henke, Lockport, Illinois

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Chocolate Lace CookiesMy mother and I make these elegant lace cookies filled with melted chocolate chips. Baking together is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. —Stacey B., Stillwater, Oklahoma

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Taste of Home

French Christmas CookiesThese moist treats will have everyone reaching for more. Folks tell me they enjoy these French Christmas cookies. In fact, the batches I make ahead for my family and store in the freezer until Christmas seem to mysteriously disappear each year—even though the chocolate topping I put on before serving hasn't been added yet! —Judy Wilder, Mankato, Minnesota

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Taste of Home

Waffle-Iron CookiesThe recipe for these cookies is the easiest to find in my book because the page is a beautiful mess covered with fingerprints, flour smudges and memories of more than 30 Christmases! I made these with my daughters, and now I make them with my granddaughters. —Judy Taylor, Quarryville, Pennsylvania

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Taste of Home

Pistachio PalmiersMy family loves palmiers from the bakery, so I created my own recipe. These have a Middle Eastern twist with the addition of rosewater, honey and a touch of cardamom. They are light and crisp—a special treat for the holidays. —Deborah Hinojosa, Saratoga, California

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Taste of Home

Surprise MeringuesThese crisp, delicate cookies are light as a feather. Mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts are a delightful and yummy surprise in every bite. Mom knows this fun dessert is a fitting finale to a big meal. —Gloria Grant, Sterling, Illinois

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Hazelnut MacaronsYou don’t have to be an expert in French cooking to whip up these sandwich cookies. The crisp, chewy macarons require attention to detail, but they’re not hard to make—and they’re simply a delight, both for personal snacking and giving as gifts! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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French Noisette CupsThe word “noisette” is French for hazelnut, and these delightful tassie-style treats have a yummy toasted nut flavor in a golden and delicious pastry. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

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Why Are French Macarons So Expensive? (2024)

FAQs

Why Are French Macarons So Expensive? ›

Once cooled, the shells are filled with a buttercream or ganache filling. Why do macarons seem to be so expensive? Macarons are typically more expensive than other baked goods due to their labor-intensive preparation, high-quality ingredients, and delicate nature.

What is special about French macarons? ›

Macarons offer a unique combination of textures and flavors, are visually stunning, and are associated with luxury and elegance. Their unique preparation process makes macarons a truly special dessert, which explains why some people consider them the best dessert.

How much do French macarons cost? ›

In my quest to find the best macaron delivery in the US, I ordered from each online bakery. In average, a macaron is sold at $2.10 per piece. Yes, it is expensive. But it is worth it to make a great impression for a gift, or for a party.

Are French or Italian macarons better? ›

Overall, both French and Italian macarons are delicious, but the choice between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference. Some people prefer the delicate, smooth texture of French macarons, while others prefer the slightly denser, chewy texture of Italian macarons.

Are macarons cheap to make? ›

Macaron Ingredients Are Expensive

Unlike most bakery treats, macarons are not made with all-purpose wheat flour, which even a home cook can pick up at the supermarket for less than 50 cents a pound. Instead, they're made with almond flour, which costs more than nine times as much—and that's at Costco.

Are French macarons unhealthy? ›

While generally considered the least healthy part of the macaron, many of the fillings are derived from natural fruits or can be made with sugar-free and keto recipes. Even with the tasty fillings, macarons are still healthier desserts when compared to other sweets, such as cupcakes.

How long do macarons stay fresh? ›

Macarons last for 7 days at ambient temperature and for up to 7 weeks in the fridge, so they do have quite a good shelf life. However, when storing them at ambient temperature, it is probably best to keep them in an airtight plastic container, to keep as much air out as possible so that they don't dry out.

What is the best macaron flavor? ›

Top 5 most popular macaron flavors
  1. pistachio macaron. Surprising as it may seem, the pistachio macaron is a favorite among macaron lovers. ...
  2. raspberry macaroon. Without a doubt, the raspberry macaron is one of the top 5 most popular macarons! ...
  3. chocolate macaron. ...
  4. vanilla macaron. ...
  5. lemon macaron.

Why is a macaron so expensive? ›

Macarons are typically more expensive than other baked goods due to their labor-intensive preparation, high-quality ingredients, and delicate nature. How long do macarons last? Macarons typically last for 2-3 days at room temperature, or up to a week in the refrigerator.

What is the most expensive macaron in the world? ›

Capitalizing on the sweet, Instagram-worthy trend is the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Florida, which has teamed up with crystal-maker Lalique to create the world's priciest macaron, which goes for $9,703. That price tag isn't random, though; it's a nod to the famous resort's address, 9703 Collins Avenue.

What brand is famous for macarons? ›

Maison Ladurée, inventor of the double-shell macaron for over 160 years, creates tasty macarons to awaken both the senses and the spirit. Choose from assortments of iconic macaron, from classic, gourmet to fruity flavors.

What are the three types of macarons? ›

There are basically three methods you can use to make macarons: French, Italian, and Swiss. My favorite method for making egg white macarons is the Swiss, and for vegan macarons is the French method.

What is the secret to good macarons? ›

7 Tips for Making the Perfect Macarons
  • Accurately Weigh & Measure Your Ingredients. ...
  • Check Your Batter's Consistency. ...
  • Sift and Mix Dry Ingredients. ...
  • Invest in a Macaron Mat. ...
  • Avoid Liquids for Coloring. ...
  • Whisk Your Egg Whites Well. ...
  • Wait Before the Oven. ...
  • Taste Perfection Before You DIY, at Chelles Macarons.
Jun 25, 2021

What causes macarons to fail? ›

Cracked shells were the first issue I ran into when I started baking macarons. A few different things can cause cracked shells, including too short of a rest, trapped air bubbles, too hot of an oven, or under-mixed batter.

Why do macarons crack so much? ›

If your macaron batter is overmixed this will also cause your shells to crack. To recap: if your shells keep cracking, the four main things you can try are - mix the batter less, dry the shells for longer before baking, and bake the macaron shells at a lower temperature, undecorated, for longer.

What is the difference between French macarons and American macaroons? ›

Both cookies are made with egg whites, sugar, a few drops of vanilla and a pinch of salt. However, macarons are typically made with finely ground blanched almonds, while macaroons are made with sweetened flaked coconut.

What is the hype about macaroons? ›

Why are people obsessed with macaroons? They're a great size for snacking on something sweet, they are delicate but satisfying, and there is so much variety in the flavors.

What is the significance of the macaroons? ›

Torvald has banned Nora from eating macaroons. Although Nora claims that she never disobeys Torvald, this is proved false in the very opening of the play when Nora eats macaroons while she was alone in the living room. The macaroons come to represent Nora's disobedience and deceit.

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