A Brief History of the Macaron (and Where to Order Them Online)

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For the uninitiated, the macaron (not to be confused with the similarly named coconut-flavored treat, macaroon) is an elegant and airy meringue confection born in bakeries of Italy and perfected in the patisseries of Paris. It was originally a single-layered crumble until the 20th century, when a man named Pierre Desfontaines, the second cousin of Ernest Ladurée, decided to add cream and attach two macaron cookies together ... et voilà! The macaron was born.

The sweet treats have since been embraced by elite leading ladies onscreen (see: Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl and Marie Antoinette in Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film). Now, you can have them delivered right to your door from pastry shops across the globe.

VIDEO: How to Make Perfect Macarons

Shop six of our favorites below.

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Dana’s Bakery

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$30/Box of 12 available at Dana’s Bakery Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

Try unusual flavors like caramel apple, cornbread, and fruity cereal, and check back each month for seasonally-appropriate offerings.

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Lette Macarons

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$46/Box of 24 available at Lette Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

Sample modern updates on the classics like coffee, coconut, and chocolate, or opt for this month’s pumpkin flavor. If you need to satisfy your craving ASAP, these cookies are available for overnight delivery.

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TOUT SWEET

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$30 available at Tout Sweet Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

Psst, this San Fran bakery’s latest flavor—fresh raspberries with a touch of hibiscus—tastes as good as it looks.

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Sucré

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$30/Box of 15 available at Sucré Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

Hailing from the magical city of New Orleans, this sweet boutique offers incredibly unique (not to mention delicious) macarons. We suggest sampling the new Sazerac and absinthe flavors and taking home the signature box (above).

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Chantal Guillon

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$14/Box of 6 available at Chantal Guillon Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

Ever wanted to schedule a macaron-making party for your friends or family? You can learn everything about baking these Parisian delights from start to finish at this Cali patisserie. Or, if you’re not in the mood to craft, just take these home.

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Bottega Louie

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$38/Box of 15 available at Bottega Louie Opens a new window SHOP IT Opens a new window

If you’re in L.A., make sure the highly Instagrammable restaurant and café Bottega Louie is a stop on your list. But if the West Coast isn’t on your radar, enjoy a taste of Paris wherever you may be.

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A Brief History of the Macaron (and Where to Order Them Online)