If you have ever typed “macaroons near me” into Google and wondered why the results show two totally different cookies, you are not alone. Macarons vs macaroons is one of the most common mix-ups in the dessert world — and once you know the difference, you will never confuse them again.
Macarons (one “o”): the French sandwich cookie
French macarons are the delicate, jewel-toned sandwich cookies you see in Parisian patisserie windows. Each one is made from almond flour, egg-white meringue, and sugar, piped into perfect rounds and baked until the shell is smooth with a ruffled “foot” at the base. Two shells sandwich a filling — ganache, buttercream, or jam — and the finished cookie is crisp on the outside, chewy in the middle, and gone in about three bites.
They are famously finicky to make: the meringue must be whipped just so, the batter folded to exactly the right “macaronage,” the piped shells rested before baking. That is why a truly great macaron is a bakery flex — and why the best ones are always made fresh to order, never warehoused.
Macaroons (two “o”s): the coconut drop cookie
Coconut macaroons are a completely different dessert. They are mounded drop cookies made from shredded coconut, egg whites, and sugar (often sweetened condensed milk), baked until golden and chewy. You will often find them dipped in chocolate. They are rustic, hearty, and beloved — especially around Passover, when flourless coconut macaroons are a holiday staple.
Delicious? Absolutely. French? Not even a little.
Why everyone mixes them up
Blame pronunciation and spelling. In English both words sound nearly identical, they differ by a single letter, and both are small, sweet, roundish cookies. Search engines do not help: type “macaroons” and you will get a jumble of both. Here is the cheat sheet:
Macaron (1 o)
French · almond-meringue shells · sandwich cookie with filling · smooth, colorful, delicate · crisp-chewy texture
Macaroon (2 o’s)
Coconut · shredded coconut mounds · drop cookie, no filling · golden, rustic · dense and chewy
Which one does SoulMade make?
We make French macarons — the one-o kind. Nine signature flavors: pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, raspberry, lemon, coffee, and red velvet, plus towering macaron towers for weddings and dessert tables. Every batch is handcrafted to order in our Plainfield, IL bakery, so the shells are fresh, the centers are chewy, and the colors can be matched to your event.
Searching for macarons in Naperville, macarons in Aurora, or macarons in Joliet? We deliver across Chicago’s suburbs — or pick up in Plainfield. Now that you know the difference, order the right cookie: scroll down and text us your flavors.
Macaron questions, answered
Are macarons and macaroons the same thing?
No. Macarons (one ‘o’) are French almond-meringue sandwich cookies with a smooth shell and chewy center. Macaroons (two ‘o’s) are coconut drop cookies. They share a name root but are completely different desserts.
Which is harder to make, macarons or macaroons?
French macarons are famously finicky — the meringue, macaronage folding, resting, and baking all have to be just right for smooth shells and ruffled ‘feet.’ Coconut macaroons are far more forgiving, which is why a true French macaron from a skilled bakery is worth seeking out.
Are French macarons gluten-free?
The classic macaron shell is made with almond flour, so it is naturally gluten-free. Fillings vary, so if you have celiac disease or a serious allergy, always ask the bakery about their fillings and kitchen practices.
Where can I buy real French macarons in Chicago?
SoulMade Desserts bakes French macarons to order in Plainfield, IL, with pickup and delivery across Chicago’s suburbs. Text your flavors and date through the order form below.