FAQs
A macaron (mac- uh - rohn) is a meringue-based pastry made up of two shells sandwiching a filling of ganache, buttercream, and/or jam.
The shells are made of whipped egg whites and sugar that have almond flour and powdered sugar folded in, before being piped into small circles and baked. I also usually add a bit of cream of tartar (to strengthen the egg whites) and gel food coloring.
The filling can be just about any flavor you can dream of, but it is usually some kind of chocolate ganache, French buttercream, or jam. Mine are often a ganache made with cream and chocolate or white chocolate along with the delicious, natural flavors that distinguish each macaron (for example, raspberry jam in the raspberry macaron).
Cottage Law basics:
Yes, I bake out of my home kitchen and I'm thankful that it is legal to have a home food business in Texas under Cottage Food Law. The website https://texascottagefoodlaw.com has more information about the process and rules about home baking and selling.
The required verbiage from the state that goes on all my boxed-up macarons is as follows:
Macarons contain allergens including eggs, nuts, & dairy. This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.
Are they vegan and/or dairy-free?
Typically, no. Egg whites are a key ingredient, and I normally use dairy in the fillings - ganache made with real cream, and French buttercreams made with butter, for example. If you ask specifically for a dairy-free macaron, I can create some fillings that are dairy-free, so let me know! I have not yet tested vegan macaron recipes (made with aquafaba instead of egg), so I currently don't offer vegan macarons, but I will update this FAQ if I do.
Are they gluten-free?
The essential ingredients of a French macaron are almond flour, sugar, and egg whites. Only almond flour is used, not wheat flour, so they are a gluten-free treat. I do bake in a kitchen where wheat flour is used in other recipes, so cross-contamination is a risk to keep in mind if you have a severe allergy.
Please let me know if you have questions or need a full ingredient list for any given macaron!
Cookie Care for French Macarons
Serve at room temperature. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
Contact me with any questions!