If you thought the infamous Costco cake was delicious, wait until you taste the Costco Macarons. These elegant little treats are made by Tipiak and are sold in the refrigerated section of the store.
They come in seasonal flavors with fruity options in the spring and summer as well as rich dessert flavors like dark chocolate, pistachio, and cherry in the fall and winter. These delicate desserts are bakery-quality, but without the bakery price.
Macaron vs Macaroon
Macarons are pronounced ma-kraan, with the emphasis on the second syllable. These should not be confused with macaroons, which is pronounced ma-kha-roons, with the emphasis on the last syllable. Macaroons are small, crunchy, coconut cookies that are often dipped in chocolate. Macarons are French sandwich cookies made with meringue and filled with buttercream or fruit curd.
They are both delicious, but the macaron is more of a delicacy because they are so challenging to make.
Brief History of the Macaron
The first macaron was mentioned in the Middle Ages by Italian monks and were made of almonds, egg white, and sugar. Some believe they originated in Italy and were brought to France by Catherine de’ Medici.
Even though they date back to the Middle Ages and the 8th Century, the first recipe appeared in the 1600s in France. They were just as challenging to make then as they are now, as the crusts frequently break as they bake.
During the French Revolution, two nuns in Nancy started the Macaron Sisters bakery as a method of survival. In the 1860s, the famous Louis-Ernest Ladurée opened the Macaron Parisien and the rest is history.
Bakery Macarons vs. Costco Macarons
If you visit a bakery and order macarons, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $3.00 for one little cookie. But, at Costco, if you can get your hands on the box of 36 Macarons by Tipiak, and you will spend less than $20. If you’re lucky, you’ll find them on sale for under $10. That’s a real bargain, as they are all priced well under $1 each.
Ingredients of Real Macarons
The Costco Macarons by Tipiak are genuine macarons with ingredients like sugar, powdered almond, and egg whites. These are the basic ingredients in the sandwich cookies. The filling varies by the package. If you get the fruit flavors you will see ingredients like butter, fruit puree, and skim milk powder. These are the real deal, but at a really low price!
Instead of suffering through the challenge of making your own macarons, Costco makes delicious ones that are perfect for entertaining. These come refrigerated but instructions recommend waiting 15 to 30 minutes to bring room temperature to truly enjoy the flavors.
The Costco Macarons are also low in calories. The small cookies have a serving size of three and they only have between 120 and 150 calories. They do not offer much in the way of nutrition, but they aren’t loaded with carbs, with only 18 to 21 carbs for three cookies. You do get a bit of calcium and a few vitamins based on the fruit purees.
The Trouble with Macarons
If you love to bake, you might want to try making your own macarons. But, after a few attempts, you will quickly appreciate what Costco offers. On the outside, the perfect macaron should have an eggshell-like crisp with a smooth top. The top and bottom cookies should be same size and filling should be in ratio to the size of the cookies. On the inside, the cookies should be slightly chewy and not hollow. They should not be hard or crispy on the inside. The shells should also have what bakers call “feet” – a slightly ruffled section below the smooth top.
Most bakers struggle with the aesthetic nature of the cookie. The tops crack and the feet have bubbles or other issues. The problems arise from having egg whites that are the wrong temperature, adding too much sugar, or using the wrong equipment.
The cookies are so finicky that amateur bakers often avoid making them. If you’ve ever watched competitive baking shows, only the best bakers in the world can make a macaron that is perfect the first time. Remember, that these bakers have made all of the mistakes, so those perfect macarons have been through several imperfect iterations.
The Costco Macarons are perfect. If you serve these at any event, they are sure to be a hit. They also make for a great display and centerpiece. No one has to know where you got them, and you could even claim them as you own! They taste as good as they look. Each flavor tastes unique, even the different fruits have a distinction to them. My favorites were the cherry from this box. They change the flavors with the seasons, so stay tuned for the next release and review! So unbox and create a nice presentation at your next gathering and enjoy!