Dessert foodies rejoice; macarons are taking over Dallas.
A French delicacy, macarons are two meringue cookies sandwiched around a layer of ganache or buttercream. They're different -- and notably spelled differently -- from American macaroons, which are made with coconut and typically dipped in chocolate. And good news for celiacs: Macarons are gluten-free because they are made with almond flour, sugar and egg whites.
Here are five places in Dallas foodies can find some of the best and most authentic macarons.
Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie
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Located in Uptown, this shop's name translates to "kiss kiss." Owner and pastry chef Andrea Meyer specializes in authentic French pastries, like éclairs, tarts and macarons.
Why we love it: Bisous Bisous' atmosphere makes you feel like you've been transported to France. From the music floating through the shop to the tables outside, Bisous Bisous is a piece of Paris nestled in Uptown. The sweet treats are a little smaller and denser then the other options in town, but pack more flavor into each bite.
Our favorite: PB&J. It sounds like an odd flavor choice, but this macaron tastes like childhood sandwiched between two cookies. Each macaron is $2.25, $13 for a box of six and $25 for a dozen.
Joy Macarons
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Joy Macarons is a specialty bakery in Bishop Arts District that only makes macarons, and each is crafted with meticulous care.
Why we love it: The drive down to the Bishop Arts District is more than worth it for these bites of heaven. Joy Macaron's wide selection can satisfy any palate.
Our favorites: Chocolate chip and butter pecan. The chocolate chip macaron had a chocolate chip cookie dough filling and the butter pecan had a distinctly Texas flavor. Each macaron at Joy Macarons is $2.
Crème de la Cookie
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Crème de la Cookie has been serving cake balls to Park Cities residents for years, but that's not the only specialty. Bakers here whip up a mean selection of macarons.
Why we love it: Crème de la Cookie is known for having a wide variety of flavors. Along with typical macaron flavors like strawberry, chocolate and pistachio, the shop frequently features unique flavors like red velvet, s'mores and passion fruit. During the holiday season, they also sell flavors like eggnog and thin mint.
Our favorite: Vanilla. Don't let the vanilla fool you, this macaron will leave you wanting more. The treat is sweet and simple, but Crème de la Cookie macarons are a little chewier then the competition, which helps them stand out. Each macaron at the shop is $2.
Chocolate Secrets
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Known for its elegant setting and beautifully designed pieces of chocolate, Chocolate Secrets is a household name for Dallasites. The selection of macarons is not as extensive as the truffles or bonbons, but that doesn't mean they aren't as delectable.
Why we love it: The macarons are not the most popular item at Chocolate Secrets, but they should be. Every flavor we tried was deliciously rich.
Our favorite: Popcorn. The popcorn macaron was topped with pieces of popcorn and the filling had a sweet and salty, buttery flavor. Each macaron is $2.50 and on Macaron Mondays there's a buy two, get one free special.
Kate Weiser Chocolate
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Nestled in Trinity Groves, Kate Wesier Chocolate boasts a sophisticated atmosphere complemented by the beautiful selection of handmade chocolates. Again, the emphasis here is on chocolates, not macarons, but they are still fabulous.
Why we love it: The balance of flavors in all the items in the store is near perfect. Relish each bite because each item is packed with savory taste.
Our favorite: Cherry, honey and goat cheese. These three flavors complimented and balanced each other in one bite. The macaron was not necessarily as sweet as it was savory. Each macaron at Kate Weiser Chocolate is $2.25.
CarleeAnn Allen is a senior journalism and psychology major at Southern Methodist University. She is the Associate Arts & Life Editor: Food and Fitness for SMU Campus Weekly and writes for Her Campus SMU.
