MAC FACTS
PRONUNCIATION
Macaron
makəˈrän
a small round cookie meringue-like consistency, made with egg whites, sugar, and powdered almonds and consisting of two halves sandwhiching a creamy filling
macaroon
makəˈro͞on
a drop cookie made of egg whites, sugar, usually almond paste or coconut, and sometimes a little flour
MACARON METHODS
The different methods of macarons can be attributed to how the meringue (egg whites and sugar) is prepared. For each method, once the meringue is complete, the dry ingredients are incorporated through a process called macaronage.
French
Egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks while granulated sugar is added slowly.
italian
Egg whites are whipped to medium stiff peaks while a boiling sugar syrup is added slowly.
swiss
Egg whites and sugar are heated over a double boiler until sugar dissolves. Then the mixture is removed and whipped to stiff peaks.