Lilli-Pilli: Caramel
The Verdict: Great ratio of crumb to cream, and downright yummy. Alas the gloppy caramel had us pining for a thinner spread. Points for the just-so touch of salt.
Lilli-Pilli: Caramel
The Verdict: Great ratio of crumb to cream, and downright yummy. Alas the gloppy caramel had us pining for a thinner spread. Points for the just-so touch of salt.
Bakery Nouveau: Chocolate
The Verdict: Dense rather than dainty, this nugget reminded us of a truffle, not a macaron. Intensely flavorful, with a boozy aftertaste.
Bakery Nouveau: Chocolate
The Verdict: Dense rather than dainty, this nugget reminded us of a truffle, not a macaron. Intensely flavorful, with a boozy aftertaste.
THIRD PLACE WINNER! (TIE)
Belle Epicurean: Pumpkin
The Verdict: Kudos for the zesty, complex finish. As one taster put it, "There is some rogue flavor. Is it chili? Is it rum? Maybe a little salt?" The filling: pleasant, thanks to its velvet whip, but rather buttery for some. Great texture all around.
THIRD PLACE WINNER! (TIE)
Belle Epicurean: Pumpkin
The Verdict: Kudos for the zesty, complex finish. As one taster put it, "There is some rogue flavor. Is it chili? Is it rum? Maybe a little salt?" The filling: pleasant, thanks to its velvet whip, but rather buttery for some. Great texture all around.
Le Panier: Chocolate
The Verdict: With the tooth of a brownie and a tad dry, these didn’t deliver the ethereal texture we sought. Not enough filling.
Le Panier: Chocolate
The Verdict: With the tooth of a brownie and a tad dry, these didn’t deliver the ethereal texture we sought. Not enough filling.
THIRD PLACE WINNER! (TIE)
Le Panier: Espresso
The Verdict: But Le Panier’s coffee cakes did capture that lightness.
THIRD PLACE WINNER! (TIE)
Le Panier: Espresso
The Verdict: But Le Panier’s coffee cakes did capture that lightness.
Madeleine Bread and Desserts: Chocolate
The Verdict: The middle maintained an undeniably chocolate flavor, but the meringues were wan. The first morsels gave way nicely: "It almost melts as soon as you bite it."
Madeleine Bread and Desserts: Chocolate
The Verdict: The middle maintained an undeniably chocolate flavor, but the meringues were wan. The first morsels gave way nicely: "It almost melts as soon as you bite it."
SECOND PLACE WINNER!
Lilli-Pilli: Chocolate
The Verdict: Effortlessly delicious, with a smooth cacao tang and masterful balance between meringue and middle. No matter these were the penultimate macs on our list—most noshers went in for seconds.
SECOND PLACE WINNER!
Lilli-Pilli: Chocolate
The Verdict: Effortlessly delicious, with a smooth cacao tang and masterful balance between meringue and middle. No matter these were the penultimate macs on our list—most noshers went in for seconds.
Marie and Freres: Chocolate
The Verdict: While the ganache is no doubt first-rate (indeed, it’s additive free and sourced from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest), it just didn’t work in this medium. The dark savor imparted sour notes, we wanted something sweeter. But the crusty cakes rocked.
Marie and Freres: Chocolate
The Verdict: While the ganache is no doubt first-rate (indeed, it’s additive free and sourced from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest), it just didn’t work in this medium. The dark savor imparted sour notes, we wanted something sweeter. But the crusty cakes rocked.
FIRST PLACE WINNER!
Belle Epicurean: Chocolate
The verdict: Truly delectable. As any proper macaron should, the meringues are made with almond. The ganache—"really, really creamy and dark"—proved a delicious complement to the fragrant, nutty undertones. Delicate yet "the right amount of chewiness."
FIRST PLACE WINNER!
Belle Epicurean: Chocolate
The verdict: Truly delectable. As any proper macaron should, the meringues are made with almond. The ganache—"really, really creamy and dark"—proved a delicious complement to the fragrant, nutty undertones. Delicate yet "the right amount of chewiness."
Le Panier: Lemon
The Verdict: Not as bright in flavor as color but notable nonetheless: "This tastes natural," enthused one over the citrus savor.
Le Panier: Lemon
The Verdict: Not as bright in flavor as color but notable nonetheless: "This tastes natural," enthused one over the citrus savor.
Madeleine Bread and Desserts: Green Tea
The Verdict: Fans of Asian pastries may dig the heavy hints of matcha. This team, however, found it overpowering.
Madeleine Bread and Desserts: Green Tea
The Verdict: Fans of Asian pastries may dig the heavy hints of matcha. This team, however, found it overpowering.
By Stephanie Rubesh and Christopher WernerNo, not the coconut heaps (those are spelled with two Os). We’re talking about macarons, the French pastries the color of Easter popping up in pastry cases the country over.Macarons are as elegant as they are complex. Two dainty meringue domes cocoon a luxe filling, typically buttercream or ganache. Ratio is key—too much filling negates the crisp of the cookies. So is the feather-light texture: each nibble sh…
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