French Macaroon is the new 'Black'!!!

photo from Bombini blog

...ahem, what I actually mean is:
 ~ French Macaroon is the new 'Black' Cupcake!!!! ~
hehe!
You must have noticed just how popular this adorable little, sweet treat is becoming.


Just in case you have not discovered the pleasure yet, a macaroon is a small meringue cake characterised by a dome-shaped shell made of egg whites and almond meal, hard to the touch with a chewy interior,
and usually filled with a creamy centre.

Here in Australia, the popularity of Macaroons (aka macarons) has been largely down to the appearance on the HUGELY popular TV show"Master Chef" Australia  of Adriano Zumbo, patissier extraordinaire!

I didn't watch it myself, but Zumbo's shop is in my 'village' (as we locals call the Sydney suburb I live in),
and I have loooong been a fan of these delectable lovelies!


They are not cheap and I am sure not very forgiving when it comes to my waistline, so they are an occasional treat.


But they come in an astonishing array of appetising varieties, such as Strawbwerry & balsamic, Pineapple and lime, Toasted Marshmallow, banana - flavours I've sampled, and these I have not:

Patissier Adriano Zumbo with his tower of terror dessert. Picture:
Tomasz Machnik Source: The Daily Telegraph

• Pancake and maple syrup
• Sweet musk                                  
• Basil and passion fruit
• Macadamia and mango                     
• Ginger
• Smoked almond
• Peach Tea
• Francesco chocolate 
• Annunziata chocolate
• Bloody Mary
• Cinnamon
• Salted butter caramel
• Rosemary and apricot      

...and also some less-appetising flavours, (I also have NOT tried!!), eg. Wasabi & pickled ginger, Salt & Vinegar, Eucalyptus, Blue Cheese...

My favourites so far have been 'Raspberry & Licorice', 'Blueberry & Lavender' and Choc-Orange. Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmm!!!


There is something just so delectable and satisfying, biting through that crisp shell, then enjoying  the chewy 
texture and the oh-so-smooth, creamy filling.
Oh! Divine!
{With a cup of Earl Grey or peppermint tea in my favourite mug - it's a little slice of heaven!}


Sorry cupcakes - I love you because you are fun and kitsch and versatile, I have fun decorating you and you can be very, very tasty, but I have a new fave sweet treat.

But then again Cupcake old friend I think YOU are way easier to make.
For those that are game here's a recipe

For the rest of us - let's enjoy the lovely macaroon images!!!

Sparkles Kitchen on Etsy

divine Macaron photo - Etsy shop here

La Patisserie - Fine Art Photograph 4 x 6

Between you and I, I am also rather partial to newly discovered Blackcurrant licorice from Darrel Lea!

That is what I am succumbing to today, to satisfy the sugar craving I set off with this post!!

Enjoy! nom nom nom......

Sally x