Are you wondering what the difference between a macaroon and a macaron is? For starters, they have very similar spelling, making it easy to confuse the two! However, they couldn't be even more different.
First, a macaron is notoriously challenging to make, while a macaroon is easy to whip up in your kitchen. Furthermore, the ingredients and appearance vary. This article will explore the main difference between the two in greater depth.
What is a Macaroon?
The spelling of a macaroon is very similar to a macaron. This in itself is confusing. Also, both cookie names are from the same Italian word.
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A macaroon contains coconut and is quite sweet.
In fact, the main ingredients in a macaroon are:
- Coconut shreds
- Egg whites
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Another common ingredient in a macaroon is almonds.
Macaroons are easily adaptable, and there are various takes on this delicious dessert. You can dip them in chocolate or add nuts like almonds or fruit.
Macaroon cookies are airy and a bit chewy. The flavor can vary depending on the ingredients; however, macaroons typically have a sweet and nutty flavor because of the shredded coconuts.
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What is a Macaron?
A macaron is a very pretty small cookie with pastel and bright colors. They are French cookies and are very delicate and sweet. A unique and telling characteristic of a macaron is the crunchy outer shells and creamy filling in the center.
Macoron's dates date back to the 1500s and are quite airy and delicate. The main ingredients in a macaron are:
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- Almond flour
- Egg whites
- Food coloring
- Confectioners' sugar
- A filling such as fruit jam or buttercream
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What are the Main Differences Between The Two?
Many confuse macaroons and macarons with one another easily. The main reason is that their names are similar, apart from one little o. However, one important difference between the two is how to pronounce each name. In the name macaroon, the double o says ROON, whereas, in macaron, the single o uses the ROHN sound.
Confusing right? Well, thankfully, the following differences are more straightforward.
Main Ingredients Differ In a Macaroon and Macaron
The main ingredients between a macaroon and a macaron vary. For starters, a macaroon has shredded coconut and is shaped into round balls. It can be dipped in chocolate or have various ingredients, including fruit and nuts. Several recipes can be found without flour, making these yummy desserts easily adaptable for those who are gluten-free.
In a macaron, the main ingredient is almond flour and egg whites. There is also food coloring and some filling involved.
One is Easy to Make, The Other, Not So Much
Another main difference is the difficulty level of making these delicious desserts. A macaron is notoriously challenging to make. It can take several tries before you perfect your macarons.
Macarons are incredibly sensitive to moisture; it is easy to over-mix or under-mix the batter. When this happens, the macaron's outer shells will not form correctly. A key characteristic of the perfect macaron is the airy outer shell. When the outer shell is crunchy and dense, it will fall apart. However, if the consistency falters too much in the opposite direction, the cookie will not set well when put together.
A macaroon, on the other hand, is very easy to make in comparison to a macron. Depending on your recipe, the main steps involve combining the ingredients and whipping the egg whites and salt together until the batter has medium peaks. Afterward, the egg whites and main ingredients are added, dropped onto sheet pans, and baked for up to 30 minutes.
Macaroon's and Macaron's Vary in Appearance
One last difference between macaroons and macarons lies in their appearance. One of the most loved characteristics of a macaron is its airy and light appearance. The colors can vary, and when perfected, let's face it, macarons are just plain pretty.
Compared to a macaron, a macaroon has somewhat of a haphazard appearance. They are often covered with shredded coconut, giving them a ragged appearance in comparison to a macaron. A macaroon is a drop cookie, whereas a macaron is a cute French cookie sandwich with bright colors.
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- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Now, Back to the Main Question: Which One Has More Calories, A Macaroon or Macaron?
The question still needs to be answered: Which one of these cookies has more calories? The answer is that a macaroon does typically, yet it depends on the type of each cookie you eat. On average, one macaron contains around 70 calories. However, the total will range between 70 and 100 calories.
Conversely, one coconut macaroon has an average calorie count of 200. Still, the calories in each cook will vary depending on the recipe and ingredients.
One Last Note
While a macaroon and a macaron are often confused with one another, a few main differences set the two apart. Aside from how their names are pronounced and that one little o, there are more differences! Both cookies contain different ingredients and differ in appearance. Additionally, a macaron is famously difficult to perfect, whereas any novice can make a macaroon.
Whether you love the airy and light texture of a macaron or the dense coconut flavor of the macaroon, both of these desserts are delicious and fun to make and eat!
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