When you walk through the door of your local bakery and take a look at the products on display around you, one thing that may often catch your attention is a display of macarons. Their colorful hue makes them stand out among the other fare that your bakery has for sale. If you don't know much about macarons, don't let yourself be intimidated. You can speak to a bakery employee about the different options that are available. Some bakeries sell boxes of assorted macarons, while others have them behind glass to allow you to pick the individual colors you want. Here are some things to know about this French baked good.

What They Are

If you aren't familiar with macarons, it's worthwhile to understand a little bit about this treat. The simplest way to describe a macaron is as a pair of thin cookies with a layer of filling between them. The filling is commonly buttercream or ganache, while the cookies themselves use plenty of egg whites to make them light. Perhaps the most notable feature of a macaron is its bright color, which typically matches its flavor. For example, a strawberry macaron will be pink, a pistachio macaron will be green, and a chocolate macaron will be brown.

When To Serve Them

Because of their stylish design, this isn't a baked good that you'll likely want to buy and toss into your cookie jar at home. Instead, it's common for people to serve macarons at high-end gatherings. For example, if you're having some friends over for tea and you want this occasion to be fancy, a box of assorted macarons from your local bakery can be a good addition. You might wish to also serve macarons at a wedding shower or baby shower. In the latter case, matching the macarons to the color of the decor can be a fun touch.

Variations

Some bakeries sell variations on traditional macarons, and you may wish to inquire about these products and perhaps order some. The variations can vary considerably. Most traditional macarons are the same color from top to bottom, but you'll find variations that use one color of cookie and another color of filling. Others will have a small portion of something sprinkled on top. In the case of a pistachio-flavored macaron, there might be some tiny chunks of crumbled pistachios on the top cookie. Visit a bakery in your area to browse its selection of macarons and treats for sale.