If you need a snazzy July 4th gift, these red, white and blue macarons are sure to impress.

From one of our favorite chocolatiers, Richart, they are made with the finest ingredients, including Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar.

A gift box of 12 macarons is $18.00; a large box of 25 macarons is $37.00. Buy them at Richart-Chocolates.com.
  
MACARONS VERSUS MACAROONS

What’s the difference?

The original macarons were made by Italian monks of ground almonds, egg whites and sugar.

Theose maccarone were the ancestors of today’s Amaretti cookies, which were created by Francesco Moriondo, pastry chef of the Court of Savoy, in the mid-17th century.

Because they contained no flour, macaroons were kosher for Passover. At some point, the Jews of Europe incorporated shredded coconut to make a more cakelike coconut macaroon.

During the French Revolution (1789-1799), two nuns seeking asylum in the town of Nancy paid for their housing by baking and selling the macaroon cookies—or macarons, pronounced mah-kah-RONE in French.

Today’s popular gourmet French cookie sandwich called macaron—two meringues sandwiched with ganache—was invented by Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines Ladurée at the beginning of the 20th century. Over the years, he developed many flavors of macarons—from cassis to violet. If you’re in Paris or New York City, stop into his stores to see the rainbow of airy delights.

Here’s the whole history of macarons.

HOW MANY COOKIE TYPES HAVE YOU TRIED?

Check out some of the world’s most popular cookies in our delicious Cookie Glossary.