Since there is only a letter ‘o’ separating a macaroon from a macaron, it is not surprising that they get muddled up sometimes. In reality, they are a distinctively different dessert that deserves their own limelight.
Macarons are little sandwich cookies made from brightly colored meringue with a cream filling. A macaroon, on the other hand, is more of a drop cookie traditionally made from shredded coconut.
That said, since both are little bit-sized nuggets of deliciousness, here are 15 recipes for macarons and macaroons for you to try out. Why not make a batch of both?
We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!
1. Strawberry Lemonade Macarons
Source: Strawberry Lemonade Macarons
Turn your favorite, fruity and refreshing drink into an elegant and adorable dessert! These delicious, vegan Strawberry Lemonade Macarons by Holly Jade have a perfectly smooth and shiny top, ruffled feet, and a moist, chewy middle. Added rose lemonade into the buttercream frosting along with some lemon creates a delicious strawberry lemonade flavor, These macarons would be perfect to make for an event, as a gift, or as a little snack.
2. Simple Coconut Macaroons
Source: Simple Coconut Macaroons
This recipe is for perfect, vegan, Simple Coconut Macaroons by Joyce Gan that won’t fall apart. They’re free of refined sugar, but still sweet. As they bake, the coconut toasts and takes on a delightfully nutty flavor. You don’t need any special ingredients to make these vegan coconut macaroons either—everything you need is likely already in your pantry. Try them out! You’ll be happy you did!
3. Praline Macarons
Source: Praline Macarons
Chocolate and hazelnut are a match made in heaven! These light and fluffy Praline Macarons by Holly Jade are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, filled with a delicious homemade hazelnut, praline filling.
4. Coconut Cocoa Macaroons
Source: Coconut Cocoa Macaroons
A chewy gooey vegan chocolate macaroon with oats and coconut. This is the easiest dessert to make and unbelievably tasty. Just throw everything into a food processor, blend, form into cookie shapes, and put in the fridge. These Coconut Cocoa Macaroons by Amy Height are perfect for last-minute gatherings or the sudden onset of a sweet tooth. Almond butter, coconut, and chocolate- does a better combo exist? These vegan chocolate macaroons are everything you could want in a dessert. They’re tasty, easy to make, and made with healthy ingredients!
5. Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons
Source: Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons
It’s no wonder that macaroons have seen a huge surge in popularity within the past few years. Macaroons are very straightforward to make and contain very simple ingredients. These Raspberry and Chocolate Macaroons by Buffy-Ellen Gill are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with warm vanilla and coconut complementing the classic flavor combination.
6. Raw Macaroons Four Ways
Source: Raw Macaroons Four Ways
Macaroons make for tasty treats that look really cute, too. All the coconut in these provides healthy fats, which is good for your hormone balance, skin, and energy levels. Once you’ve made the base for these Raw Macaroons Four Ways by Katrine van Wyk, you can choose which variations you want to make based on your preference or what you happen to have on hand.
7. Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Source: Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
What do you get when you cross raw coconut macaroons with chocolate? Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons by Nikki Stokes, of course! And something that’s even more irresistible than irresistible, if there is such a thing.
8. Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons
Source: Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons
You have to try these Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons by Judy Moosmueller. Considered to be the world’s most delicious nuts, macadamias are small, crispy buttery flavored powerhouses full of good fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Yes, these babies are very high in fats, but their fat profile balances our essential fatty acids to provide a nice mixture of both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These fats also increase the production of protective high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol) while suppressing the unhealthy low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol).
9. ‘Almond Joy’ Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Source: ‘Almond Joy’ Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
If Almond Joys are proof of anything it’s that coconut and chocolate go marvelously together. This dessert brings the classic combination to macaroon form. You can have these ‘Almond Joy’ Chocolate Coconut Macaroons by Julie Van den Kerchove ready in just 15 minutes only using seven simple ingredients! What more could you want?
10. Peanutty Caramel Macarons
Source: Peanutty Caramel Macarons
This recipe for Peanutty Caramel Macarons by Aileen Metcalf doesn’t taste exactly like a Snickers bar … but it’s still mighty tasty. You can do a few variations on this, like make a chocolate macaron cookie, sprinkle peanuts on top, and add a little peanut butter to your ganache. The sky’s the limit!
11. Unicorn Birthday Cake Macarons
Source: Unicorn Birthday Cake Macarons
Ever imagined a birthday cake-flavored macaron? Well…now you can have your cake and eat it too (in a macaron form)! These Unicorn Birthday Cake Macarons by Holly Jade have a vanilla filling and a secret slice of vegan funfetti cake hidden in the middle and are covered in vegan sprinkles!
12. White Chocolate Panda Bear Macarons
Source: White Chocolate Panda Bear Macarons
Delicious and extremely moorish macarons with a filling of dairy-free white chocolate ganache. These White Chocolate Panda Bear Macarons by Holly Jade are simple to make and decorate, perfect quick & easy treat.
13. Peppernut Chocolate-Hazelnut Macaroons
Source: Peppernut Chocolate-Hazelnut Macaroons
Do you want to know how you can make nutty hazelnut vegan Nutella? With just 4 ingredients? All natural and organic? Let’s get started so that you can indulge in these Peppernut Chocolate-Hazelnut Macaroons by Mireille Aikman.
14. Neapolitan Almond Macaroons
Source: Neapolitan Almond Macaroons
There’s something about vibrantly colored desserts that just draw people in. ‘Unicorn’ creations are all the craze these days and are what inspired this fun and vibrant dessert. These Neapolitan Almond Macaroons by Jasmine Briones are decadent, filling, and easy to make! Plus the tri-color effect makes it perfect to serve at a party or to a crowd– it is definitely one made to impress.
15. Maple Cardamom Vanilla Hazelnut Macaroons
Source: Maple Cardamom Vanilla Hazelnut Macaroons
These Maple Cardamom Vanilla Hazelnut Macaroons by Jodi Kay are simple and the perfect tea accompaniment. They’re not insanely sweet, which is a nice change from the usual macaroon flavor profile. Vanilla extract, hazelnut, and maple syrup give these treats a subtle sweetness while chia seeds keep them intact.
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