PSA: Macaroons and Macarons Are Two Different Cookies

Happy National Macaroon Day, friends! Yes, on May 31 macaroons—those lumpy coconut cookies, not to be confused with French macarons—step out from behind their more photogenic cousin’s shadow to say, “Hey, we’re delicious too.” Except…a quick search of the #NationalMacaroonDay hashtag on Instagram reveals that the world still sees the word “macaroon” and thinks “fancy pastel sandwich cookie,” not, “amorphous coconut mound.” Here, we’ve broken down the differences between the two (related!) desserts.

Macaroon

Pronunciation: [mak-uh-roon]

Holiday: National Macaroon Day, May 31

What am I eating? A dense cookie composed of egg whites, sugar, and dried coconut. Macaroons are sometimes dipped in chocolate, and they’re often served during Passover because they contain no flour.

Is it delicious? That 100 percent depends on whether or not you like coconut. But, if you do? YES.

Should I make some? Go for it. Baking macaroons is no more difficult than whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Here’s a basic recipe.

Should I Instagram this? Absolutely, if only so you can smugly correct people when they comment, “Um, that’s not a macaroon.”

Macaron

Pronunciation: [mak-uh-rohn]

Holiday: National Macaron Day, a.k.a. the Holiest of Instagram Days, March 20

What am I eating? A light, meringue-based sandwich cookie made with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, and then filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam.

Is it delicious? Not all macaron flavors are created equal but, generally speaking, yes.

Should I make some? How much time do you have? Macarons are notoriously fussy—you’ll probably have to adjust the temperature in the oven a few times, and watch those meringue layers closely to make sure they puff up—but if you’re confident in the kitchen this recipe is a good place to start.

Where can I buy them, then? Ladurée, the Parisian bakery with locations in New York Cityand Miami, is probably the most famous macaron maker. It sells 15,000 of the cookies per day.

Should I Instagram this? The macaron is practically Instagram’s mascot. If you eat a box of beautiful pastel French sweets and there’s no photographic evidence, did you really eat them at all?

I feel weird pronouncing it the French way. You don’t have to! Follow your heart.

What if I’m in a bakery that serves macaroons and macarons, and I really want macarons? OK, then you probably have to pronounce it the French way.

Wait, so what do macaroons and macarons have in common again?

They both have a sugar and egg white base (hence the chewiness), and their names are derived from the Italian word ammaccare, which means “to crush.” Oh, and they’re both solid snack choices. Now go forth and eat cookies!

Cupcakes more your thing? Try these, from the ladies of Georgetown Cupcakes.