French Macaroons
I love French Macaroons! I was so excited when Lette Macaroons opened up a store in Pasadena! (http://www.lettemacaroons.com). I was even more excited that my client wanted macaroons as part of her dessert buffet. 
I love macaroons for a few reasons. One, the color is festive; two, there are a variety of flavors from which to choose–kind of like a chocolate box; three, French Macaroons are so light! Therefore, I can eat more than one!
The macaroon’s origin is Italian, believe it or not. Catherine de Medici, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_de%27_Medici, brought the cookie to France sometime in the 1500′s. The original recipe is very similar to the Italian amaretti cookie. A few centuries later, two sisters, who saw an opportunity to make some cash, decided to sell the macaroon to the masses. Eventually, a man by the name of Pierre Desfontaines Laduree, upgraded the macaroon by adding a ganache filling. The first prototype of the sandwich cookie. Eventually, the macaroon transcended into the cookie that it is today with a wide variety of fillings, flavor and color! What I love the most is Laduree ‘s bakery is still around today! http://www.laduree.fr/–I love this website!
Treat yourself to a macaroon today and be a part of cookie history. Europane in Pasadena on Colorado and Lake sells them too!
Honestly, had I known they were macarons, I would not have eaten them. But they looked too good on that tray NOT to eat, and now I’m a convert. Yummy!